Still here - Thailand

A couple of die-hard blog-watchers have emailed me to check whether I
am still alive, after a blogless week or so.

The short answer is Yes, but thank you for your concern.

The absence of updates recently is due to the lack of internet access
in the wilder and woolier corners of north-eastern Laos. And to the
fact that I'm in a bit of a hurry to get to an undisclosed location in
northern Thailand, where I have a romantic rendezvous arranged; being
late will I think not be appreciated.

Normal update service will I hope be resumed in about a week.