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Section building
In some cases a shipbuilder can decide to outsource certain sections of a ship.
Reasons might be trying to achieve reductions in the lead time of a project, but it can also be a necessity, in case of a lack of expertise.
Outsourcing options can be aluminum superstructures such as the wheelhouse, masts, but also body parts such as the bulb. A benefit for the client is that he can deliver faster/more without expanding there own facilities or workforce.
Shipyard Talsma has the experience to build section accurately, quickly and focussed on fitting the client's requirements. Good cooperation for precise integration in the design is paramount.


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- Focus on Funds
Nobody Is Left To Buy Stocks, JPM's Top Quant Says
- Order Reprints
- Print Article
U.S. stocks have limped lower over the past four sessions but remember that last Wednesday the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) closed within one percentage point of an all-time high.
Strange, though, since cash positions of global managers are at the highest levels in nearly 15 years and billions of dollars are pouring out of stock mutual and exchange-traded funds. One might even go so far as to call this the most pessimistic bull market in history.
Who has been doing all the buying? Marko Kolanovic, J.P. Morgan's global head of derivative and quantitative strategies, has an interesting if ominous take (emphasis mine):
"Recent gains did not have much justification in fundamentals or investors' psychology ('climbing a wall of worry') but were
significantly driven by inflows from systematic strategies
. Our analysis suggests that
most of the technical buying is now exhausted and leverage in the system is high
Convexity of option market makers have also turned negative, supporting higher realized volatility in the near future. ... other important market participants –
pension funds, hedge funds, corporates (buybacks), retail investors and foreign investors – are less likely to provide significant support for the market near term
. The weak technical, seasonal, and flow trends pose elevated downside risk for equities, in our view."
Before you sell the farm, though, consider that central banks may yet concoct other ways to support markets. For this reason, Kolanovic recommends a mix of safe and risky assets in a "barbell" strategy:
"While we believe that fundamentals are likely pointing to downside risk for equities (and perhaps bonds too),
it is possible that central banks continue to dominate prices of risky assets prices and bonds
For this reason,
we continue to recommend a risk barbell portfolio in which an investor holds both reflationary assets (EM equities, commodities, Value assets
) as well as
hedging assets
for the possibility that central banks lose their grip on asset price action."

subset: commoncrawl


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Bar Pendant Long Necklace Silver
This necklace consists of a singular silver rod pendant hanging from a long, delicate silver chain. It fastens together at the center back with a silver clasp and also has an extra length of chain with hanging shell pendant at the back, for an adjustable fit. Modern and streamlined, this is a versatile necklace that can be worn day or night, together with a relaxed tee, fitted blouse, or sophisticated jacket. Also check out Bar Pendant Long Necklace Gold.
This product is hypoallergenic. Thanks to its robust and durable materials, this piece can be worn while swimming or showering. Over time, the piece may look a bit darker. This is due to regular body contact and oil from the skin. To keep your product looks its best, use toothpaste to clean it and then rinse it off with water. This will make sure your jewellery maintains its shine for as long as possible.
- Length: 65.0 cm
- Length Extension: 5.0 cm
- Pendant Size: 3.0 cm
- Weight: 8.0 g
- Material: Stainless steel


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Senate Republicans are in race against the clock. They want to put Judge Neil M. Gorsuch on the Supreme Court in time to participate in at least some of this term's cases, notably one on the separation of church and state.
If they are to succeed, they will have to move with exceptional speed.
The calendar is an obstacle course. The confirmation hearings started on Monday and will last several days. The last scheduled arguments of the Supreme Court term are set for the last two weeks of April, and the Senate leaves for a two-week break on April 7.
Senator Charles E. Grassley, the Iowa Republican who heads the Judiciary Committee, has said that getting Judge Gorsuch onto the Supreme Court was important enough to cancel the recess. Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, has said that will not be necessary. "We're going to confirm him," he said, "before the April recess."
But in the last three decades, it has taken a median of 15 days from the start of the hearings for the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote, and another nine days for the full Senate to act, according to the Congressional Research Service. That works out to April 13, after the Senate is scheduled to leave town.
There are other ways to count. The last three Supreme Court justices waited an average of 78 days from nomination to confirmation. That works out to April 19, which is also during the planned Senate recess.
As it happens, April 19 is the day on which the court is scheduled to hear arguments in the term's remaining marquee case, the one concerning the separation of church and state. The justices have treated the case gingerly, almost certainly because they fear a deadlock without a ninth justice.
The court agreed to hear the case, Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer, No. 15-577, in January 2016, about a month before Justice Antonin Scalia's death created the vacancy Judge Gorsuch hopes to fill. Other cases placed on the docket that day were argued and decided by the end of the last term, in June 2016.
But the court put the religion case on hold for more than a year, an extraordinary move. The case was finally scheduled for argument only when there were almost no more argument days left in the current term.
Under the court's practices, new justices can only vote in cases they have heard argued.
If Judge Gorsuch is on the bench by April 19, he is likely to cast the decisive vote in the case, which may produce a major statement on the role of religion in public life. If he is not, the case may deadlock or be kicked down the road once again, to be reargued in the next term, which starts in October.
The case concerns a Missouri program that helps schools use recycled tires to resurface playgrounds. State officials rejected an application from a Lutheran church that wanted to participate in the program for a playground at its preschool and day care center.
The Missouri Constitution bars spending public money "in aid of any church," and the State Supreme Court has called for "a very high wall between church and state."
The church argues that the State Constitution violates equal protection principles and the First Amendment's guarantee of free exercise of religion. Missouri says states should have leeway to decide for themselves whether and how much to help religious groups.
What happens in the Trinity Lutheran case will help define the current term, which has been thin, slow and sleepy.
By the time the last term ended, the court had deadlocked in four cases, including important ones on immigration and public unions. And it had issued vanishingly narrow decisions in several others, including one on access to contraception.
"There's a few cases where you can see we ruled very, very, very narrowly," Justice Sonia Sotomayor said in September, "and it doesn't take a genius to figure out why."
But the court did manage to decide two big cases last June. One struck down restrictions on abortion clinics in Texas and reaffirmed the constitutional right to abortion. The other upheld an affirmative action program at the University of Texas in Austin and made it harder to challenge race-conscious admissions programs in higher education.
It has been a long time since the last weeks of June did not bring a Supreme Court blockbuster or three. But this term could end with almost no significant opinions.
The court had been scheduled to hear arguments in a major case on transgender rights on March 28. But a change in position from the Trump administration caused the justices to announce they would not hear the case after all.
The biggest remaining case of the term, aside from the one on religion, is probably Lee v. Tam, on trademarks that are viewed as disparaging. It presents intriguing First Amendment issues, and it will probably effectively determine whether the Washington Redskins are entitled to federal trademark protection.
When the court is back at full strength, its docket should become more interesting. Whether the current term yields at least one important decision may turn on whether and when Judge Gorsuch arrives at 1 First Street.


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Medically Speaking
The ICMR sero survey results revealed that 64 lakh Indians have been already infected by Covid-19 in
May, which marked the initial stage. However, these cases had been undiagnosed and the patients developed antibodies against the novel coronavirus. The findings were revealed a day after India reported the highest rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in a single day — at 95,735 cases — which took the overall tally to 44.6 lakh cases.
Medically Speaking
Five-year survival stories on an artificial heart
Patients facing heart failure and certain death in the absence of an immediate heart transplant are living normal lives. These patients don't have a pulse, heartbeat or blood pressure, yet they can do everything that a healthy person can, as their blood flow has been fully restored. The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has helped in the longevity of life for those who were facing imminent heart failure.
According to Dr Kewal Krishan, director, Heart Transplant & Ventricular Assist Devices, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Max Hospital, Saket, says, "LVAD is a device that adds 13 to 15 years to the life of people facing imminent heart failure. It boosts functions of the heart and is used either as a temporary measure till a heart transplant can be conducted, or as a destination therapy where the patient lives with the device permanently as they are unfit for a heart transplant. LVAD enables patients to live a normal life even after end-stage heart failure."
"We have conducted over a dozen LVAD implants till now at our hospital ranging from a 7-year-old girl to an 81-year-old female patient. Four of those patients are living a normal life even five years after implant — they are the first and only LVAD recipients in India to have successfully survived beyond five years. Others are also doing well and hopefully will complete many more years on the device. LVAD is gradually emerging as a good alternative to a heart transplant." he adds.
Medically Speaking
MCI dissolved, NMC takes charge as top medical education regulator in India
The government has dissolved the Medical Council of India (MCI) following the corruption charges in 2010 and it was replaced in 2018 with a Board of Governors (BoG), MCI. Now, the Centre has dissolved the BoG through a gazette notification. The National Medical Commission (NMC), a new body, will function as the county's top regulator of medical education. The setting up of NMC was a government move to bring reforms in the medical education sector, by replacing the MCI. "Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956) is hereby repealed with effect from 25 September. The BoG appointed under Section3A of the Medical Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956) in supersession of the MCI constituted under subsection (1) of Section 3 of the said Act shall stand dissolved," stated the gazette notification issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW).
The chairman of the NMC for three years would be Dr Suresh Chandra Sharma, who is retired HoD of AIIMS, New Delhi. It will consist of 10 ex-officio members and 22 part-time members appointed by the Central government. The NMC will have autonomous boards under the NMC Act, Under Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB), Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB), Medical Assessment and Rating Board and the Ethics and Medical Registration Board.
According to the new medical education structure under the NMC the common final-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) examination will now be known as the National Exit Test (NEXT). "Before selection in PG now medical students after MBBS has to go for NEXT based on their results selection for the PG will be done," says Dr M.C. Misra, former director of AIIMS.
Medically Speaking
Work towards dispelling distrust before Covid-19 vaccine arrives
Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan has said in a statement that he would take the first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine to address any 'trust deficit' over its safety. This statement gives me a feeling of déjà vu. Almost ten years ago, the then Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had taken one of the first shots of the H1N1 flu vaccine. We had failed then to build trust over vaccine safety, and are likely to fail again, unless appropriate steps are initiated now — in addition to the Health Minister taking the vaccine.
In 2009-10, the world experienced the H1N1 influenza pandemic. There was a 'race' among vaccine manufacturing companies to produce a vaccine and countries scrambled to get vaccines. India had reported the first case of Influenza A/H1N1 in May 2009. The Government of India had then imported 1.5 million doses of the vaccine and also provided Rs 10 crore each to three vaccine manufacturers as advance market commitment for 6.25 lakh doses from each of the companies. We had taken all the right steps to get the vaccine but failed to deliver it to the communities. Not only did we not use most of the doses of the imported vaccine, but also failed to lift even a single vial of the vaccine, worth Rs 30 crore, ordered from the Indian manufacturers. One of the reasons for that had been the poor acceptance of the vaccine because of safety concerns.
During the H1N1 pandemic of 2009, inter alia, there were doubts raised about the safety of the vaccine. Even after making the vaccine compulsory for healthcare personnel, very few took it because the fear of adverse reactions, specifically for Guillain-Barré syndrome, was high among them.
India has small but vociferous anti-vaccine groups. The anti-vaccine movement, which has its roots in the US and the UK, has gained ground in parts of the country now. In the past, they have raised their voices against the use of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, the pentavalent vaccine (for diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, and H influenza B) and polio vaccines. Social media posts — which are worryingly effective — from these groups have also been circulated in India.
The approval of the Covid-19 vaccine is being fast-tracked so that the vaccine becomes available early and is able to control the pandemic and save millions of lives. The fact that something which would normally take 10 years to develop and tested for safety and effectiveness is being made available under "expedited approval" within a few months has given an impression that the vaccines are being rushed to the market and not sufficiently tested for safety and efficacy. In a significant move, India's Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has permitted vaccine manufacturers in India to make and stock Covid-19 vaccines which are currently under clinical trials. Though these are welcome steps and would expedite the earlier availability of Covid-19 vaccines in the country, they are fuelling public concerns for pushing inadequately tested vaccines.
One of the theories making the rounds is that the disease is not as deadly as has been made out to be and that it only affects a small group of people which is immune-compromised. Another theory is that the coronavirus vaccine has tracking chips that would later be activated by 5G and used to influence the behaviour of people. Groups are busy sowing doubts even before a Covid-19 vaccine exists and this can undermine the country's efforts to vaccinate high-risk groups.
While Covid-19 vaccines are under development, the nature and extent of vaccine hesitancy must be assessed and addressed timely. An effective communication strategy is needed now to address the fears and uncertainties.
The writer is an Infectious Disease Epidemiologist and Independent Consultant.
Medically Speaking
Be prepared for Covid to be around for foreseeable future: Dr Nabarro
WHO's special envoy for Covid-19 Dr David Nabarro says that we have to learn to live with the virus. 'It hasn't gone anywhere and it's now multiplying,' he tells The Daily Guardian in an interview, adding that no one knows how long it will take for a vaccine to be developed.
In an exclusive Interview with The Daily Guardian, Dr David Nabarro, who is a special envoy to the World Health Organization (WHO) for Covid-19, said that the infection should be considered a constant threat to humanity. "It hasn't gone anywhere and it's now multiplying. We have to live with it. I do not know how long it will take for a vaccine to be developed and when it will be accessible to everyone, everywhere," said Dr Nabarro.
Covid-19 has infected more than 32,510,655 people and killed over 989,287 people worldwide. "Today, it is really a struggle to make sense of this virus causing Covid-19 and the extent to which it has spread. Our starting point is that the world is going to beat the virus, but the world is also going to learn that the virus is a constant threat," said Dr Nabarro.
According to Dr Nabarro, the virus multiplying and spreading from one person to another can only be stopped or controlled by keeping in mind a few important points. "This virus multiplies by jumping from person to person. But if people are not close to each other, we can stop the virus from actually moving from one person to the other. And then, when the virus is moving between people, it's possible to stop it from doing so, to interrupt transmission. But that is isolating people from each other, and that's the secret to getting ahead of this virus — it is the only defence. And we have to do that because this virus can kill, it can kill the people it infects," he warned. "So, we need to keep ahead of it by stopping it from moving from person to person, with physical distancing, face protection by using masks, maintaining the hygiene of our hands when we cough — and through the practice of staying away from others," he added.
Some scientists and doctors are saying that the world is already going through the second stage of the Covid pandemic. On that matter, Dr Nabarro said, "This virus hasn't gone anywhere at all. It is spreading through small outbreaks, which are then getting bigger. It's happening continuously. In some places, the movements are slow because they have very good defences and those defences are being implemented quickly. But in some places, where, perhaps, it's been hard to defend, the virus is quite widespread. So, I am not talking about 'waves', I am talking about resurgences of the disease, in the form of spikes or surges, and then those turning into outbreaks."
"The precautions we need to take to stay Covid-19-free relate to what we do in terms of physical distancing, face protection, maintaining hygiene, isolating when we are sick and protecting others who are at risk," said Dr Nabarro, adding that the people at a higher risk are healthcare workers. The contagious coronavirus has affected healthcare workers the most, with thousands of them having died across the world till date. "The people who work in healthcare, nurses and doctors, attendants and people who provide health services: we have to give them special attention. They have high death rates, with many thousands of health workers dying in the last few months," Dr Nabarro stated.
Talking about other major challenges which people are facing, Dr. David commented, "Covid is also causing lots of problems. We need to recognise that it causes health challenges, makes people sick, and some of them very sick, but it is also leading to all sorts of other challenges. There are unemployment systems in place, a system protecting people who are poor. You have to recognize that poor people get hit the worst, and if their movement is restricted, the poor suffer the most. So, Covid is also revealing some of the inequities in our society, and we must support poor people first."
Besides social concerns, the vaccine is the biggest question on everyone's minds right now. About that, said Dr David, "We don't know whether the vaccine we have works well or whether we will have a vaccine which is safe. But we know we need to wait for sometime before the vaccine is widely available." So, what can we do until a safe and effective vaccine is out? "All you can do is learn to live with the threat of Covid, and at the same time, try to find new ways of diagnosing it, so we can test more easily. We will try to find out the vaccine, but don't wait for one particular thing to appear, especially since we have no certainty that it will come. Try not to put dates on when we will have vaccines. If you do that, you create false expectations," advised Dr Nabarro.
Lastly, addressing the concern about how long this virus will remain with us, Dr David said, "This virus is a coronavirus, and generally, a coronavirus is quite stable. There is a lot of evidence that this virus stays pretty consistent. But it hurts people and kills people, and I think we need to be prepared for this virus to be around for the foreseeable future and become another issue in our ecosystem which we have to manage."
Medically Speaking
IMA submits a list of 393 doctors who died during Covid
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has submitted a list of 393 doctors who lost their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic, being disappointed with Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan's statement in Parliament and the response of MoS, Health Ministry, Ashwini Kumar Choubey. No country has lost as
many doctors and healthcare workers as India has in the pandemic, the IMA said in a statement.
"However, it conceals the morbidity and mortality of doctors, nurses and healthcare workers. This indifference to the sacrifice of doctors and health- care workers is the reality of Covid-19," said Dr R.V. Ashokan, secretary general of IMA. Ashokan added, "Doctors of the country will be happy, we are fighting our honour, we are not looking for our benefits. We dedicate ourselves and the government should at least acknowledge." Meanwhile, Dr Rajan Sharma, president, IMA, added that doctors suffered four times the mortality of ordinary citizens while the private practitioners suffered the same eight times more.
Medically Speaking
Maharashtra government to recruit medical students
The Maharashtra government has decided to draft 2,852 medical students from their college campuses to work in hospitals across the state. Maharashtra is the worst affected Indian states as far as Covid-19 cases are concerned. The government has sanctioned the appointment of 1,204 specialised final year medical students, and others are those who have appeared for final year exams and post graduate medical courses have been pressed into government service.
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From Custom Retailer Magazine: JBL Strikes Calif. Production Homes Deal
JBL and systems integration specialist Radio Active have partnered with developer Drummond Co. to offer a range of "high-end JBL custom-installation home theater systems" for production homes being built at the Andalusia at Coral Mountain development in La Quinta, Calif.
Plans for Andalusia encompass 680 luxury homes priced between $1.125 million and $2 million and based on six models. The community will also feature two championship golf courses. JBL is the "exclusive provider of home theater systems" at the development.
The A/V installations feature complete JBL Synthesis, Performance Series and Cinema Vision home theater systems available in six system configurations; they are available built into custom cabinetry and millwork or as in-wall systems. Pricing ranges roughly from $16,000 to $45,000, not including video displays, Crestron automation controls or other ancillaries.


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Poon Hill Trek Nepal, is a relatively easy walk meandering through villages and rhododendron forests. This invigorating trek reveals some of the best views of the Himalayas especially from the Poon Hill which is considered as the best viewpoint in the Annapurna region by many trekkers and perhaps one of the most beautiful viewpoints that exist on this earth. Reaching a maximum altitude of 3210m, anyone with a normal level of fitness would easily undertake this trek comfortably. Test your stamina at the Ulleri Hill with more than 3,000 stone steps, one of the world's largest numbers of stone steps on a hill of this kind. Just imagine the magnificence of the sunrise over the snow-capped Himalayas that you will witness during this trek, illuminating the peaks of the entire range and leaving you spellbound!
The Poon Hill trek Nepal begins with a guided sightseeing program in Kathmandu. After we take a flight to reach serene lakeside city of Pokhara, the real walking begins from Nayapul. While trekking along to Ulleri and Ghorepani, we marvel at colorful orchids and clear views of the splendid high mountains including the two eight-thousanders – Mt. Annapurna (8091 m) and Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m). Reaching the final destination of Poon Hill (3210m) is a reward in itself, perhaps one of the most beautiful viewpoints on earth. The added presence of rice terraces completes the picture making it a photographer's paradise. Then trek to the beautiful Gurung village of Ghandruk and enjoy the ethnic hospitality along with the cultural magnificence of Gurung Museum. Trekking through the Rhododendron forest that bloom with red flowers during the springtime, descend down to Birethanti, passing by waterfalls and few small villages & settlements. Walk to Naya Pul and then drive to Pokhara which announces the end of this marvellous trek.
Autumn (mid Sept to mid Dec) and Spring(March to May) are the best seasons for the Annapurna Sunrise Trek. The weather is sunny and warm, with outstanding views but the nights are cold and can fall to freezing. Winter (Dec, Jan, Feb) is also good for Annapurna Sunrise Trek, only colder (obviously). The trekking routes are crowded during spring and autumn but during winter the routes are not packed and you could enjoy rather best of nature.
Poon Hill trek Nepal DAY 01: Arrival in Kathmandu [1300 m/4264 ft]
Upon your arrival in the Kathmandu airport, after completing your custom formalities (Visa, etc) pick up your luggage and be transferred to Hotel Shanker or a similar category hotel. After check in, you can either take a rest, hang around in the city, visit our office; it all depends upon your interests and condition. In the evening we will organize a Welcome Dinner at an excellent traditional Nepalese Restaurant where you will enjoy a Nepalese cultural program as well as a fine meal. Included meal: Dinner (D)
Poon Hill trek Nepal DAY 02: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation
Today after breakfast, we start a guided tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. Some of these landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites including the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati Nath, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambhunath) and Buddhists shrine (Buddha Nath) which is one of the largest Stupas in the world. In the afternoon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we can meet our trek leader and other team members. Himalayan Glacier Trekking briefs us regarding our trek as well as provides us opportunity to ask any questions we may have regarding our upcoming adventure. You might shop around the city if you need any gears for the trek during the evening time. Overnight in Kathmandu. Included meal: Breakfast (B)
Poon Hill trek Nepal DAY 03: Fly to Pokhara [823m/2,700ft] and Trek to Ulleri [2050 m/6725 ft]: 30 min flight and 6 hrs trek
Early morning flight to Pokhara. Be sure to catch right side of the airplane for the best views of Himalayas. Pokhara offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, five peaks of Annapurna and others. Numerous lakes of Pokhara, known as 'Tal' in Nepali, offer fishing, boating and swimming. After taking rest for some time, drive to Naya Pul and start the trek. We pass through sub tropical valley forests, sometimes on the carved trail on the side of the cliff. After lunch, cross the Modi Khola river via a suspension bridge to the village of Tikhedhunga. The Ulleri Hill with thousands of steps and boulders that continually go upward would really prove a test of your stamina. We reach Ulleri by late afternoon. (B, L, D)
Poon Hill trek Nepal DAY 04: Ulleri to Ghorepani [2750 m/ 9020 ft]: 4-5 hrs trek
We make our ascent to the Ghorepani village. The name Ghorepani in Nepali means horse-water owing to its role as an important campsite for traders before it became a trekker's stop. Ghorepani is an interesting place with small shops and stalls for selling local products and craft. The town has two parts: one in a saddle and the other a few hundred feet lower. We stop at the higher part of the Ghorepani village that offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains including Annapurna South and Nilgiri mountains. Since Ghorepani lies quite higher than our previous stop, we begin to feel the chilly weather especially in the evenings. (B, L, D)
Poon Hill trek Nepal DAY 05: Ghorepani – Poon Hill – Tadapani [2700m/8,860 ft]: 6-7 hrs
To catch the magnificent splendor of sunrise over the Himalayas, we make an early morning climb along the steep trail to the viewpoint of Poon Hill (3200mtrs). Poon Hill (3,210m/10,529ft) is a great viewpoint from where we will be able to enjoy wonderful panoramic views of the Mustang part and Pokhara valleys including the closest views of more than 20 highest mountains including the close-up views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The snowy peaks of the high mountains loom above and around us glowing in the morning light. After taking photos and having some coffee, tea or hot chocolate, we return back to Ghorepani. After breakfast, head east and climb a nearby ridge. Descend through rhododendron forest, pass by small mountain villages and spectacular waterfalls along the way to Tadapani.(B, L, D)
Poon Hill trek Nepal DAY 06: Tadapani to Ghandruk [1940m/6360 ft]: 3-4 hrs
From Tadapani, we make a steep descent through the dense and dark forest. This part of the trek is through a thick forest of old rhododendron trees. When the rhododendron trees are in bloom, these forests actually turn into gardens of dazzlingly beautiful flowers, mostly red, when seen from the air or from far. By afternoon, depending upon the season of travel, we will be pleasantly surprised by the sight of some cherry blossoms in bloom on the slopes on the other side of the ravine. After trekking some more minutes, we enter the village of Ghandruk, a slope settlement with stone houses mostly inhabited by the Gurung people. Along with enjoying the stunningly close-up towering views of Fishtail, Annaurna South, and Hiuchuli mountains, we also acquaint ourselves with the simple but rich cultural traditions of the Gurung people at the Gurung Museum in Ghandruk. (B, L, D)
Poon Hill trek Nepal Poon Hill trek Nepal DAY 07: Ghandruk to Pokhara: 4 hrs trek and 1 hr drive
Today, we trek from Ghandruk to Naya Pul then drive to Pokhara. The trek is downhill all the way to Birethanti. We step onto a staircase paved with stone slabs, curving in and out of the village and then terraced farms. It keeps going down almost without breaks from Ghandruk until Modi Khola river valley. By the time we arrive at Birethanti, some of us would feel like having made a downhill marathon. But our marathon is not over yet. From Birethanti, a half-an-hour's walk takes us to Naya Pul. The journey on foot comes to an end at Nayapul. Then we drive from Nayapul to Pokhara. (B, L)
Poon Hill trek Nepal DAY 08: Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu: 30 min flight
We choose afternoon flight to Kathmandu. Till some hours before flight, you may take an optional sightseeing tour in and around Pokhara or enjoy adventure activities such as boat riding, paragliding, etc. While returning to Kathmandu from Pokhara, be sure to catch the left side of airplane for the best views of Himalayas. In Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel; the day at leisure to rest, perhaps catch up on some last minute shopping or explore any sights you missed during your first day in Kathmandu. In the evening, celebration dinner together. Stay overnight in Kathmandu. (B, D)
Poon Hill trek Nepal DAY 09: Farewell Friend
Your adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! There is nothing to do but trade emails with travel companions and organize the photos. If you have more time you can do some shopping or sightseeing. A representative will take you to the airport approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal. (B)
Poon Hill trek Nepal: Pricing due to currency fluctuations and seasonal changes please inquire for the best possible price.
Poon Hill trek Nepal: What's Included:
All airport/hotel transfers
3 nights in 4-star hotel in Kathmandu ( Hotel Shanker or similar standard) and 1 night in 2-3 star hotel in Pokhara (both on B.B basis)
Welcome and farewell dinner
All accommodation and meals during the trek
A full day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley including tour guide and entrance fees
Domestic flights (Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu)
An experienced English-speaking trek leader (trekking guide), assistant trek leader (4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and Sherpa porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers:1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food and lodging
Down jacket, four seasonal sleeping bag, Himalayan Glacier Trekking duffel bag, t-shirt, and trekking map (down jacket and sleeping bag are to be returned after trip completion)
All necessary paper work and permits (ACAP, TIMS )
A comprehensive medical kit
All government and local taxes
Poon Hill trek Nepal: What's NOT Included:
Bring 2 passport size photographs
International airfare to and from Kathmandu
Excess baggage charges
Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara(and also in the case of early return from the mountain than the scheduled itinerary)
Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara because of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain(due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
Travel and rescue insurance
Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower etc)
Tips for guides and porters


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KCB Lions Den Sn 1 was epic and Thrilling with the lions pledging 153 million.Over 5000 Kenyan entrepreneurs applied but only 72 contestants made it to the den.Entrepreneurial lessons were learnt and hearts were also broken.
SEE ALSO: How to check the status of your National ID Card in Kenya
This time round the stakes are a notch higher.Entrepreneurs will have to polish their pitches in order to be Part of the KCB Lions Den Sn 2.
Lions Den Sn 2 is Back and the Application Period started on 10th April 2017 and will be closed on Wednesday 31st May 2017.
Requirements In Order to Apply For KCB Lions Den.
- Must be a Kenyan Citizen above 18 yrs.
- You must have a KCB account. If you don't have one you can open it will applying.
- You must have an Operation Business or Viablr business Idea.
SEE ALSO: How to Stop Safaricom From Sending You It's Promotional SMS Texts.
How to Apply For KCB Lions DEN.
There are 2 methods of Applying For KCB Lions DEN.
Method 1: Online method.
- Visit www.bankika.co.ke
- Click on Lions Den.
- Click Apply.
- Fill in your details
Method 2: Physical Method.
- Visit the KCB Branch nearest to You .
- Ask for a Lions Den Application Form.
- Fill in the Form Details.
- Leave the Form at the Branch.
SEE ALSO: How to be cleared by Credit Reference Bureau In Kenya ( Getting your certificate of clearance)
How to Know if You're Selected For KCB Lions DEN.
If selected you will be contacted by the KCB Contact center with this n.o 0711087000


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A Slice of Salerni Life 2014 (13th Edition)
(Eldest Daughter is Princess, Gina is Queen)
Bob: Konnichiwa Kozoku! (Greetings Family!)
Gabbey: Ohayo, gozaimasu! Watashi wa ojousama! (Good day with respect. I'm a Princess!)
Bob: Princess who?
Dianne: Isn't Gabbey supposed to be compacting her French 1 and French 2 courses to squeeze them both into one year? Why is she suddenly learning Japanese?
Gabbey: If I learn Japanese, maybe Daddy will take me on one of his business trips to Japan.
Bob: You could all come and join me at the end of one of my projects!
Dianne: Fourteen hours on a plane, by myself with the girls … not happening. I'm nervous enough driving to Long Branch, New Jersey to present at a school librarian's conference. I've got my Mapquest directions printed out, and my Google Maps directions … both of which differ.
Gina: What's wrong with the car's GPS?
Dianne: It wants to kill me. That's what. It tried to send me the wrong way on the Schuylkill Expressway and down a long dirt road into a ditch. It's possessed by evil.
Bob: Do you want to go back to teaching at the building 2 miles from home?
Dianne: Nope. (stuffs the directions into her travel bag) I just want to be prepared. Speaking about prepared, who's going where while I'm away for two days and does everyone have a ride?
Gina: I've got the Atlantic Coast Championship marching band competition on Sunday at Hershey Park and regular rehearsal on Monday.
Gabbey: I can drive her! And I have play practice after school on Monday. Can I have the car?
Bob: No. I need a car, too. I'm taking my bike down to Newark for a ride in the morning. I'll drive everybody where they need to go.
Gabbey: If I had a car of my own … Just sayin' …
Bob: Popcorn anybody? (takes down the air popper from the top of the china cabinet)
Sorcia: (massive Scooby-Doo-type scramble and noise of nails scrabbling on hardwood floor) Popcorn! He said that word! He's got the thing!
Luna: (sound of jingling cat collar) The dog is excited. I must investigate.
Bob: Aha, I've attracted the four-legged denizens of the house.
Dianne: Why is the cat all wet?
Gina: She showered with me again. I conditioned her.
Luna: (wet fur sticking out all over, but very soft and sweet smelling) The water escaped down the drain despite my best efforts. Tomorrow, I will mount a better defense.
Sorcia: Popcorn! Popcorn! (runs around excitedly with her ball) Play ball with me, kitty! (drops ball on cat's head)
Luna: (smacks dog on the nose) Get your slobbery ball off me, you big buffoon.
Gabbey: Neko wa shihai suru! (The cat is dominant.)
Bob: Ie no naka de hoka no on'nanoko no yō ni amayakasa (Spoiled like other girls in house)
Dianne: No idea what they're saying. I feel left out, Gina. What about you?
Gina: I don't really care. How's the static shock mat doing to keep the cat off the counter?
Bob: I don't know. Who got zapped by it today?
(Dianne, Gabbey, Gina, and Bob all raise their hands. The cat cleans her tail serenely.)
Bob: She might be too smart for us. (puts a bowl of popcorn on the floor for each animal.)
Sorcia: (gobbling it up) Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy!
Luna: (removes one piece from bowl and chews on it) This is disgusting. But the dog wants it. I must eat it. I demand my share!
Bob: Okay, what gifts do you want me to bring back from Japan on this trip?
Dianne: How about another Daruma doll? I'm ready to start a new book and set a new goal!
Gabbey: A Korean boy band. (Everybody stares at her.) What? Korea's close to Japan, right? Okay, I'm kidding. Bring me all the mangas.
Sorcia: (swipes her huge tongue across cat's dish while Luna is still trying to choke down a single piece) Anata ga ushinau inemuri, neko. (You snooze, you lose, kitty)
From Bob to everyone: Anata ni kōun o negatte to Daian no hon kau!
(Wishing you good fortune, and don't forget to buy Dianne's book!)
11 Responses to A Slice of Salerni Life 2014 (13th Edition)
Sounds INSANE in your house, Dianne!
Good luck on the drive to Jersey and with the talk! You'll be AWESOME!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS and ALL the best for the new year!!!!! I hope to get to your book sometime this week and write/post the review…. Sorry it's taking me so long, but you know, LIFE…..
Safe travels to you and your family!
Ha ha 🙂 And I know what you mean about not wanting to be stuck on a plane with your girls — there's a pretty good chance my husband's job will be sending him to London for a couple of months, and we're talking about sending me and the kiddo with him. I'd be excited by the prospect, but that long on a plane with a three year old … Yeah.
Also, how cool that they can go back and forth in Japanese!
14 hours…yeah, would not happen with me either unless they sedated me. A few years back, my husband went to Korea on business. I could NEVER had done that flight. I would have been crawling at the walls.
Have a wonderful holiday, Dianne!
Hi Dianne .. amazing how held back people are .. go kids, go to Japan as soon as Dad will take you, even if the beautiful writer Mum won't!! Fantastic they're learning Japanese though ..
Lovely photos …
Crazy house .. popcorn for the animals?! Ah well .. each to their own … good luck with all your travels, and when Christmas comes around have a very happy time, as well as a successful authoring 2015 – cheers Hilary
Your family is a riot! Gabbey is definitely a Princess and will probably rule the world in a few years. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!
How cool that your husband goes to Japan on business. My brother actually lives there. You should tell your hubby to bring back some Japanese chocolate. That stuff is AWESOME.
Such fun and insightful dialogue that you're sharing that sheds light on your family life! You can probably get through those 14 hours if you load up on charged iPads before the flight. =)
Thanks for commenting on my blog recently. No, I haven't heard about the time capsule in Boston, but it sounds like an interesting situation. I am so curious to know what's in that box, and I'm sure a bunch of American history teachers would be too!
Life is fun in your house. 🙂 I hear you with the GPS directions. I went to a book expo that was over two hours away and the GPS kept taking me onto all these backroads and telling me I'd reached my destination in the middle of nowhere.
The idea of flying w/my kidlet makes me break into a cold sweat! =) And whenever I go anywhere, I always just print out directions there(and back) b/c I've had too many bad experiences w/GPS. I hope everyone gets where they're going! =)
Slices of life are always perfect entertainment. So glad the cat is conditioned and that you might acquire a new Daruma doll for inspiration.
Wishing you the best of life and plenty of success included for 2015!
Tossing It Out


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This is a disambiguation page.
It points to other pages that have similar names. If you followed a link here, please fix it to point to one of the pages listed below.
Series 4 is an ambiguous term on this wiki, since many things could be considered "the fourth series" of a particular programme. This page includes things that are explicitly called a "series" or "season", as well as things that are only given a number. "Volumes" 4 can be found on a separate page. It may mean:
TV Edit
- Season 4, the 1966-1967 series of Doctor Who
- Series 4 (Doctor Who), the 2007-2010 series of Doctor Who
- Series 4 (SJA), the 2010 series of The Sarah Jane Adventures
- Series 4 (Torchwood), the 2011 series of Torchwood television series, umbrella titled Miracle Day
Audio Edit
- Series 4 (BFBS), the 2003-2004 series of Big Finish Productions' Bernice Summerfield
- Series 4 (CC), the 2009-2010 series of Big Finish's The Companion Chronicles
- Dalek Empire IV: The Fearless, the 2007-2008 series of Big Finish's Dalek Empire
- Series 4 (EA), the 2017 series of Big Finish's The Early Adventures
- Series 4 (8DA), the 2009-2011 series of Big Finish's Eighth Doctor Adventures
- Series 4 (4DA), the 2015 series of Big Finish's Fourth Doctor Adventures
- Series 4 (TLS), the 2013 series of Big Finish's The Lost Stories
- Series 4 (BFTW), the 2018 run, which served as "Series 4" of Big Finish's Torchwood audio series
- Ravenous 4, the 2019 release which was the fourth anthology in the Ravenous series
- The Eighth Doctor: Time War: Volume Four, the 2020 release which was the fourth anthology in The Eighth Doctor: Time War
- Anti-Genesis, the 2019 anthology which was the fourth in The War Master series
Novels Edit
- Series 4 (Lethbridge-Stewart), the 2017 series of Candy Jar Books' Lethbridge-Stewart
Merchandise Edit
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pit viper
any of numerous venomous snakes of the family Crotalidae, of the New World, Asia, and the Malay Archipelago, as the rattlesnake, water moccasin, and copperhead, having a heat-sensitive pit on each side of the head between the eye and nostril.
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Origin of pit viper
First recorded in 1880–85
Words nearby pit viper
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
British Dictionary definitions for pit viper
pit viper
any venomous snake of the New World family Crotalidae, having a heat-sensitive organ in a pit on each side of the head: includes the rattlesnakes
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for pit viper
pit viper
Any of various very venomous snakes of the family Crotalidae. Pit vipers are characterized by a triangular head with a small sensory pit below each eye. The pits detect infrared radiation and help the snake locate prey. Some scientists classify the pit vipers as a subfamily Crotalinae within the Viperidae, the family of vipers, rather than as a separate family. Copperheads, rattlesnakes, and fer-de-lances are pit vipers.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.