Peruvian Titicaca and Machu Picchu:                          You should always be careful perhaps of people selling you things on buses …no not some white sugar but an offer to stay on the islands of Amantani and Taquile … We demurred but said yes . It proved to be a good choice . Travelled out vis the Uros floating islands and on to Amantani to stay with a local family . It proved to be divine , local food cooked from an earth floor , followed by a swim for me in Titicaca lake …cold and short of breath after a few strokes . We took a lovely walk up to local Inca fortress and followed up with a dance . Early to bed and across to Taquile where the men do all the knitting and the ladies do all the work . Knitting is something I might take up . Our coach contact also fixed us up with a ride to Cusco on an up market bus from Puno . It stopped at all the local sights and was very relaxing. We had to pick up tickets at 6 o clock for our trip to Machu Picchu…made it with 5 mins to spare . Next had to validate the rail tickets . It’s all geared up for tour groups but eventually out AirBnB host printed them off for us . Next day we took a collectivo for peanuts to Ollantyambo and then train to Aguas Calientes where access to MP starts …a lot had changed since 1979 . We relaxers in warm baths preparing for our early start .Next day dawns at 04.30 …. Ceri’s birthday..all very excited …it poured with rain . Ceri was very game but it did dampen our spirits a bit . We had booked to climb the mountain at the back of Mp to get a great view ….mmm… no view just wet socks trousers boots and everything. We took a guide to show us around . It certainly is an awe inspiring site in any weather ! As I write this we are drying off in a cafe trying to spin out the time until our train is due !