The time in Bangkok was supposed to be a relaxing few days to see Dan and Jess without frantic sightseeing to ensure that we were fully recharged on our return to London. And it lived up to that whole-heartedly.

We made the obligatory trip to Martys where Colin bought his first made to measure suit (very smart it looks too!), took a day trip to Ayuthya (the second capital of Thailand, destroyed by the Burmese in 1759) and sampled afternoon tea at the Oriental (voted no. 1 in a recent poll of the world's best hotels).

Dan treated us to a trip round Bangkok's aquarium, which is very good if slightly surreal because it is situated in the basement of a shopping centre!

So we came to the end of our four weeks - it really feels like we've had a break. We both made it to work despite the usual speed of service from Heathrow baggage handlers and london underground. We're not quite back in the right timezone yet, but a week in the office should ensure that we are sufficently tired to sleep through the night next week.