Happy 2003 to everyone and thanks so much for all the emails and comments gush, gush, gush....

And news? Well, for probably the first time since we set off, we were overtaken by something. And unfortunately for Adrian it was by circumstances outside of his control. Business problems forced the ageing tycoon to grab the first available Jetstream out of Bangkok and back to ol' blighty in time for Xmas. Rumours that his BMW has been stored illegally in Thailand are, as yet, unproven. A further disappointment for all concerned was his unanticpated, unwashed, uninvited and downright unwanted appearance at Liam's 40th birthday commiserations.

At the time of the lothario's departure, we weren't sure of if/when he would return and so took advantage to send back all the excess gear that we weren't using. I'm sorry to report that this included the laptop and so it's been a little difficult to put together any photos or a web log of late.

The latest info. is that the man of mystery will be back to plead his case with Thai customs on or around the 16th Jan, by which time I hope to be so far ahead that he'll never catch up!!!!

It's been a funny old time since we arrived in Kathmandu. Like running out of track, a loss of momentum or a misfiring 911. With Burma closed and China prohibitively expensive, flying the bikes the short distance from Kathmandu to Bangkok was the only realistic option. But, it felt like a cheat not to be riding the miles and to arrive in the hot, humid air of Thailand without having our buttocks hammered into oblivion en route by the increasingly uncomfortable BMW saddles.

Bangkok was fun nevertheless, and we certainly took in a few of the sights whilst in town. I know that many people would head straight to the bars of Pat Pong, but we spent our time lurking furtively around Mr Yut's Dynamic Motors where our bikes were serviced and our stripped cylinder head studs repaired. When new tyres were fitted to my bike and balanced, I couldn't help but notice how square the rear wheel has become. Karakoram Highway anyone?

The original plan to do a PADI diving course collapsed due to the effects of Xmas celebs on the Thai island of Koh Chang. So, on the 29th, I left and headed off to the beaches of southern Cambodia in company with another overland traveller - Kate Lockyer from the UK. We holed up for New Year in the 2nd best hotel in Kompong Som for a few days of abject luxury- at $25 a night with cable TV and all the Pringles we could eat. Which, as it turned out, was a lot.

Cambodia is fabulous by the way and I would seriously recommend it as a holiday destination before everyone else catches on. And nearly all the landmines have been removed - but no wandering off the highways to take a quick leak. I am planning on digging a few up and exporting them to the UK as an adjunct to the vintage motorcycle import business that Adrian is so keen on. And Soviet made T4 tanks are going for a song in Kabul at the moment.

Next? The magnificent temples of Angkor before an attempt breach the border of Vietnam with the aid of an overloaded BMW. The Vietnamese strangely aren't keen on foreigners driving such tanks in their country, so I don't really expect to get in. But, hey! The border's so close, what's to lose?