Amazing people. Everything is in the process of being sorted, up to and including a new frame. And I´ve ordered a new screen and tankbag in the UK to be sent direct to Phil to go in the crate.Many, many thanks to Phil the Boxer Man for all the organisification he´s doing for me. I must owe him several crates of Paddy´s by now (incidentally, it was on optic in the bar in Phnom Penh).

And I had a call from Gustavo Johnson in Bogota (Colombia) who´s the main man for BMW in S America. He´s very good-looking - he sent me pix of himself with his bikes (he has a yellow 1200GS) and his Land Rover Defender 110. How about that for coincidences? He´s going to help with getting new tyres for me from Santiago.

I´m still feeling very bruised and second-hand. The ribs seem to be healing nicely, but it´s the collarbone which will take the time. Hurts a lot. Very difficult to get out of bed and to get dressed and undressed. But the local Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Shiraz medicines are a great help :-) especially as the good ones can cost as much as two quid a bottle :-)). Won´t be able to claim them on the insurance, though, despite being prescribed by a doctor.