Written: Staines, Monday 14th September 1998 Posted: Teddington, Friday 18th september 1998

Sitting in Geoff and Kat's front room in Staines having just ordered my Fulham season ticket, it's somewhat refreshing to see how quickly things get 'back to normal' ! My last few days in India were dominated by the coach ride back to Delhi and the meeting with Rupert. I left the houseboat at about 6.30 last Tuesday morning to get the 7 o'clock coach to Delhi. It goes without saying that it didn't leave 'til 8 o'clock and get into Delhi until 12.30 the following lunchtime - 28 1/2 hours in a coach with my knees up around my ears for most of the journey - an interesting image for you there. Having arrived in Delhi I elected to go to the same hotel as we started in as I knew their standard was excellent and this was were Rupert was due to bike to the following evening. A few hours were left to kill that afternoon so I went to the internet cafe to catch up on my e-mails and send out my journals and also go to the 'diamond cafe' for a veggie kufta using the 'better the devil you know' principle. Not much more to report - I met Rupert on Thursday evening and informed him of my decision. He was very relaxed about it, said he hoped I hadn't made my decision too early and then said he was free to invite people out, bike round a lot more and change the route dramatically. For the rest of the night and the following day he was very quiet. Not quite sure what he thinks but time will tell on this one. Very good night on Thursday going to a mexican restaurant in Delhi with Rupert and his aussie biker mates preceded by a 3 auto-rickshaw race through the streets of Delhi. If the bike ride was more 'hair-raising' than this I'll be surprised (and scared !). Friday morning was spent getting a haircut, shave (better late than never) and a head massage including eyes and ears ! Friday night was departure night and after queuing in the 'World traveller' B.A. line (hmmm) had a cramped 9 hour flight (I'm a Virgin man myself - so to speak) and was picked up at 5.45am on Saturday by Geoff. Now I've got to sort out job, living accommodation and money but I'm doing it all with the knowledge that, judging from phone calls and e-mails, I've got an enormous amount of very supportive, close friends (perhaps that's part of the original problem ?) who will help me in the next 'interesting' 3 or 4 months. India (especially Delhi) made me realise how lucky and privileged I am. At this point i'd like to apologise to Rupert for my 'behaviour' and hope that he understands and also thank Geoff and Kat for putting me up for a few days while I 'get my head together' (not easy with 2 under 3-year-olds wandering about). John