The talking is over so let’s get a plan of action – we’re off to the beach tomorrow. We’ve covered an amazing amount of ground in two days and even though we did not stick rigidly to the agenda we are well prepared for the trip – but then again, how would I know? I have no idea what to expect but I’m like a school kid the day before summer holidays.

It’s a large room with high ceilings; people are seated enjoying their breakfast. Enter, stage left, the white man. Oh, so now I know what it must have been like for Patricia, my Nigerian college mate back in ‘80’s Ireland. I settle into a corner table and try to take stock. Soon I’m greeted by a friendly waiter who tells me its self service, but will I recognise anything I wonder.

This week I have been visiting Renewable World's programme interventions in South Asia and it is really inspiring to see how our partners are using renewable energy to help transform livelihoods in rural communities in Nepal.

Our work to promote economic enhancement in rural agricultural markets in Nepal is striking both because of the incredible income increases potentially possible at an individual and household level but also because of the unique role that renewable technologies have to play in the formation of an appropriate and enterprising technical solution.