Update from Derik via Cathy...

Saturday we were at Periche.
Sunday we hike to Lobuche 6 to 7 hours.
Monday we hike from Lobuche to Everest base camp and then overnight in Gorak Shep - 8 hours
Tuesday is an early morning hike up to Kala Pathar which is supposed to have amazing peak views if the weather is clear and then all the way to Periche (6 or 7 hours). 

Wednesday I will depart Periche and head all the way to Namche Bazzar. A LONG day more than likely 8+ hours but will be back to relative civilization and will have water, electricity etc.

I'll then spend a few days in Namche at a nice place we stayed on the way up.  Same place that President Jimmy Carter stayed many moons ago.  Far from luxury but comfortable warm and clean. From there I can do a bunch of day hikes and such and visit museums etc, chill out, or let my heels heal (lol) and relax/enjoy watching the yaks go by. Looking forward to it.

Days start with morning tea at 6:45 then breakfast at 7 and then on the trail by 7:45.  Break for tea after about 2 hours,  lunch after another 2 hours and then get in to the tea house around 2ish.  Sort gear, do an acclimatization hike and then back for afternoon 4:00 tea.  Dinner is around 6:30.  I literally haven't eaten meat since the 7th.  Not advised at altitude because of how hard it is to keep.  They don't eat cow so it's either chicken, yak, or canned tuna.  The cheese is made yak milk and so is the butter....yum?  The food gets a bit repetitive as the menu items from place to place are nearly identical.  Lots of soups, rice, and veggies. By the time Kathmandu comes I'll be ready for pizza!!  

Travel monkey made friends with a German hiker's marmottes - note Mt. Everest in the background!