To the pleasure, no doubt, of many readers, I have had very little to say over the past two months. December I was in Thailand, refusing to type onto a tiny screen. January I have been getting practical things done about the house - painting and repairs and such like. There was also the matter of dealing with the fallout from the stolen phone incident in Bangkok, the first time I have been successfully pickpocketed. Credit cards needed cancelling and many services updated with new information. Smart phones can be a colossal hassle at times. Their sheer capacity is both a strength and a weakness.

Thailand is a hot place, even in what they call 'winter' over there. The end of year is certainly a better time to go weather-wise, though there are many more tourists about. You can get a decent walk in in the early morning and evening, when the temperature is reasonable and the sun is down. Middle of the day is out of the question. The heat and humidity is a significant drain.

I think if I had to name a couple of highlights were the towns of Hua Hin and Phetchaburi. The former has some lovely beaches, a few notable temples and two royal summer palaces. The latter is less touristed but also boasts some wonderful temples and a more authentic Thai experience, if river walks and markets are anything to go by.