Cozy local kitchen at our hotel
Time for a bath? But water is too cold.
The trek begins here! 
Found this lovely old temple on the way up. Would have been nicer without that ugly corrugated sheet - but hey - at least they hadn't painted the temple in lurid colours! 
Steep walk up - and slow and steady wins the race. Keep going!
What a lovely green Himalayan walk
And finally I reach the top! WOO HOO! DEORIYATAL! 
The lake is called Deoriyatal - the lake of the gods
On a clear day you can see an amazing reflection of the snowcapped Chaukhamba range in the water - but alas for me, it was overcast and the views were hidden. 
If you cannot see the far-away mountains, then revel in the sight of the leaves and grass! It is equally God's miracle.
It had been a lovely solo trek! Thank god for last-minute decisions.
And that's a wrap folks!
My genial dhaba owner. He used to be an instructor in the National Mountaineering Institute. He is retired now - but still takes people on conducted treks.