Helen and I split up. I headed in the direction of the Temple of Mut. I was offered access (for backsheesh, of course) but decided that the terrain to be traversed and the large number of unfriendly-sounding canines were sufficient deterrent. Instead I made a close examination of the small temple of Amenhotep II south of the courtyard between the 9th and 10th pylons.
After meandering around the vast site, I reached the Open Air Museum. Of course the ticket office had no change, so they got a large bundle of 50 piastre notes from me as I scraped together the L£15 student ticket price.
The new temple/shrine of Hatshepsut is frankly disappointing, as I expected having seen it in 2011/2 while still being assembled. The other temples and shrines are still as wonderful as ever and I was the only one in this area at 9 a.m.
As I headed out of the temple several tour coaches (from Hurghada) arrived, The chinese, russians and germans were brash and I was glad to be on the way out.
I stopped at the Mövenpick café for an icecream and consider the price not to be a rip-off. (about L£40) Our boat took us back to the old tourist ferry pier where Tayeeb was waiting. This is a very disable-friendly place - why don't they have access to the river like this elsewhere.