Following my return from Laos in January 2020, I started to rent a cottage in Wiltshire from some friends of mine as my flat was empty and I was anticipating its sale. Owing to dilatory legal matters, it only went on sale 4 weeks ago. Lockdown for the COVID-19 Coronavirus started in the UK in late March. This was at least a week and, more … Continue reading Journal of the Plague Year

As anyone following this blog will have gathered, I returned to the UK at the end of January. As it turned out, about two weeks in front of the virus. I intended to carry on writing it in fits and starts, depending on when I could travel. As it is unfortunately now almost impossible to leave the house, let alone go abroad, there will be … Continue reading The future

Today was my last day of doing stuff. I am leaving for Singapore tomorrow then London on Tuesday. Four and an half months gone just like that. However I have had a very good time, seen some old friends and been places I would never go otherwise. I will leave this blog open as I know some of you are running several days (weeks?) behind. … Continue reading And we reach the end

Interesting day, shall we say? Got up at 5.30 to go and see the almsgiving procession. This is when all the monks from all 33 monasteries process through the town and are given food by the locals – thus earning them credit for their next lives. There are are signs in town and in every guidebook, website etc about correct behaviour. No touching the monks, … Continue reading Well my karma is buggered….

Well this is nice. This town is so calm and peaceful its not true. It is a UNESCO heritage site and has 33 Buddhist monasteries – that might have something to do with it. I also understand that the suburbs are noisier. There are quite a lot of tourists but generally well behaved. Yesterday after arriving and having a nap, I went for a bit … Continue reading Luang Prabang

Off I went to the airport, again with Made (finally learned how to spell his name!). Re- assigned flights seem to be working ok for the moment. At Singapore Airport they have transit hotels. These are basically prison / hall of residence cells – although prison would not have CNN and Fox Movies – which you can rent for 6 or 12 hours between flights. … Continue reading Final voyage…..

Off out for the day with Madeh again. Still no idea on how to spell his name but here he is being menaced by a scary owl. We went to the Ulun Danu temple on Lake Beratan. It is a very photogenic temple with a rash of selfie takers. I had to push myself forward and say very loudly ‘Can I just take one without … Continue reading Bali day 4

This morning I lay by the pool and tried to avoid Instagram young persons photographing everything from various angles. Not sure they have seen anything of Bali but the photos will be fab! After various hiccups concerning time, distance etc, this afternoon I have been for a cookery class in someone’s home. Led by this nice young man who used to be a chef on … Continue reading Bali day 3

These are the pictures of the hotel I would have taken yesterday if it wasn’t for the rain. Also my breakfast this morning – with my name on it! In melon. Bless. Today I went on a whole day tour of some of the local sights with Medde (I’m afraid I have no idea how he spells his name), the taxi driver who brought me … Continue reading Bali – day 2

From Sydney to Singapore overnight. Did manage to sleep a bit, despite the best efforts of a toddler who would not be comforted and the fact that I was not in Premium Economy. After that, lounged around Singapore airport for 4 hours, mainlining coffee in order not to miss the next flight. Finally arrived here in the late morning – 3 hours behind Sydney – … Continue reading In Bali – finally