I used to travel quite a lot but in recent years have shied away from it somewhat. There is no doubt I have less energy than once I did (just reading my European diary from 1979 exhausts me!) and I am leary of flying at the best of times.

But today Ann booked for us to go to Thailand to visit her family - a seven year gap for me. I have felt guilty for some time now; after all, my mother-in-law lives there, so this is more a duty than a holiday. I do like Thailand but it is so hot and the country town we will be residing in is big and dusty and not noteworthy in any way. I guess that means it is off the tourist trail, the one took myself in the earlier trips to Thailand. So that's a plus, surely.

Still we will have a few days in Bangkok, where I'd like to visit museums and explore a khlong or two. I don't need to see the Royal Palace and all the famous temples again, something quieter, please.

We are not going until December so more on this journey, later.