Hello from Gringo Central Email Services, Quepos ( that really is what its called!!)

Since last wrote have been and checked out the humming bird sanctuary in Monteverde and where we spent a good hour trying to photograph the 52 different types that are whizzing around and it was as frustrating as hell - they are so beautiful but quick on the wing.... Then it was time to get tooled and kitted up for the ziplining at Selvatura - have to say that I was really up for this after the waterfalling escapades (even though I still have a great fear of heights!!) Climbed up a huge tower, got handed a pair of gardening gloves with leather palms, sat in a harness amd pushed down massive cables. Most amazing (and scary) feeling, zipping along on your own, high above the tree canopy, trying desperately to breathe, watch for braking instructions from the guy on the next tower (hard when you have your eyes shut!) and remember all of the safety instructions like keeping your ankles crossed (never did find out why) and lean back to keep momentum up! After 15 zips got the hang of it and the final fright was a tarzan swing which was basically a bungee only you stepped out into midair strapped in a sitting position harness - terrifying but sooooo much fun - both of us would do it again (in a heartbeat as the Americans say - often!). Beats watching birds all day (sorry birders, Doug now 6 short of his hundred he tells me). I don't really mean that you know , it just makes a change from sedate days which are drifting by at an alarming rate. Peter Mason, we thought of you and we zipped along and how much you would love this!

On personal front have a streaming cold - yes, amazing, all winter in the UK, nothing, here is steamy Costa Rica I am dripping like a tap! Can't taste the food but D is happily munching on whatever comes his way as usual. Drank several of the local firewaters last night called Guaro which makes your lips and face numb and then you fall over!!! Interesting..... Now in Quepos for 2 days back down on the Pacific Ocean. Temps up in the 30s (sorry) and extremely humid. Spent days wandering around the Manuel Antoniop Nat Park which has fab beaches, great swimming, abundant wildlife, following trails looking at monkeys (looking at us!), bromeliads, ephiphyes, iguanas, creeping vines and stilt palms (which walk - yes really).

Cruising with the group
Ted enjoying himself....
D snorkelling
Beautiful Flowers 1
Beautiful Flowers 2

Tomorrow back to San Jose then flight down to Drake´s Bay with Nature Air after saying goodbye to the group. They have been a lot of fun but are a very diverse bunch and will be happy not to have to talk for the next few days. Will probably be incommunicado as this place we are staying is in the rainforest on the beach and is pretty remote and don't think there is email so next blog will be from chilly Bickington I suspect.

Thanks for reading, hope it hasn´t p.... you all off to much. My boys will DEFINITELY be getting a Costa Rica t-shirt for NOT emailing me......