Mama would like to change her use of the word “bored”. She claims she didn’t mean she hasn’t got enough to do. On the contrary, she has a list as long as her arm, and things are being added to it as quickly as they get crossed off. No, what she meant was that life was a bit dull with just a ‘has-been’ for company.

Did you all get Mama’s ‘hat’ email? I had trouble sending it.

That was a fun leech story, Tan!

I should wait on the claim front.

It looks like SARS is a thing of the past: just as well you didn’t abandon SEA, as I suggested!!!!!!! Keep your mask, just in case. You can always donate it to Liv for pollen protection.

A few more photos.

It looks like Mama has crept into the tp one; or someone has borrowed her Tahitian shorts.

annika on the right, caroline on the far right, dipti on the left and our vast catch of fish in the centre. now that you mention it dipti’s shorts did remind me of something.

thrane isrealis. hanet in the center is the one i know quite well, she was very nice. that is the jolly coke machine at hone heke and beyond is the microscopic kitchen.

aha! guto, the funiest brazilian i have ever met. his classy turn of frase endeared him to one and all

from left to right takoya of beach misadventure fame, sam son of shane, and some guy i don’t recall the name of.

I got your claim back, Tan. They want originals of your Travel Booking Invoice, Invoice showing premium paid and Insurance Master Certificate. Photocopies won’t do, even for £33!

I assume you have the originals. Anyway, I phoned them and confirmed that the claim could be finalised any time so if the originals are with you you can deal with it later.

Or are they with me?

Also, they require written authorisation from you giving consent for another person to deal with the claim on your behalf. An ordinary Power of Attorney doesn’t look to be enough.

Anyone would think this was a claim for many hundreds of thousands, blast them …

If it’s Flight SQ286, it leaves Auckland at 1415 and arrives in Singapore at 2045.

Electric storms last night. Much mewling from the cats outside several hours before the skies opened … too comfy in bed to respond. We’re just going to Petworth House to look at some paintings.

You haven’t got to Malaysia yet, Tan? How are the bumps???

The guidebook I consulted about Bali said avoid renting any motorised vehicle (2 or 4 wheels) on account of appalling local drivers, crappy upkeep, fake insurance, and corrupt local traffic police who sting you for vast fines for no reason.

We’ve been swimming almost daily recently. Fairly scummy but pleasant nevertheless.

christian snoozing in bluey, believe it or not three people slept in that van.

rather top notch view just before i went white water rafting

once more the old gang doing a spot of fishing