In the same vein as cheesybeefpizza, I’m starting this new blog to catalogue our attempts at a second and more permanent escape from suburbian mundanity. While the sensations of SE Asia have quieted down to memories too easily drowned out by work-a-day worries, rush-hour-traffic anxieties, and general slothiness, the growing voice within Nazma and I to hit the road again can no longer be ignored.

Where to this time? Lebanon was a favourite hope until the wanton destruction of the past year. Iran, perhaps, before it meets a similar fate at the hands of the semi-retarded Leader of the Free World? Back to SE Asia, and a slow boat down the Mekong into Laos before the bandwagons rush the borders (hypocrite that I am)? And there’s always visiting Nazma’s parents in Uganda. We’re open to suggestions…

Then, after this indeterminate period of long-distance coaches, ordering grisly offerings in distant eateries through sign-language, and general contentment, we’ll be looking at slipping into a more established existence somewhere overseas. London seems to be the destination-of-the-moment for us, with the siren call of greater opportunities for more fulfilling careers. Add in the bonus of having family there, and family close by (relatively: Africa is only 9 hours away instead of 18), but having spent a winter there, London’s not the most beautiful place one could live in. Lots to think about, and quickly, with the spectre of turning 30 and the twin threats of responsible adulthood and babies lurking at the edges of our rapidly fading youth.