With all that was going on last year we decided to book a package holiday, something we rarely do. The time for our trip finally arrived, we relied on the tour company to choose a suitable time of year for the trip: virtually the first thing our guide said to us, “I am surprised you picked this time of year to come here; the winter rainy season”.

At least the first part was going to be clean and touristy, just pottering around museums. Our two guides, Balthazar and Santiago made it very easy. The second day was our first walk; Monserrate. Of course, as it is a walking holiday we will be walking up and taking the cable car back down. The church dominates above Bogota on a hill rising to 3,152m. The fear of knife muggings is now gone as soldiers populate the twits and turns of this path. Some of the group were almost wiped out by this walk and Caroline was slow. Mr Atkinson easily romped to the top. The church was full of the devout and the hill was considered sacred long before the Spanish brought Catholicism to this part of the world. Our guide was delighted that we walked reasonably quickly as the cable car is cheaper if you buy your ticket before 0900. A nice start!!