WEST MIDLANDS I WAS STUCK IN FREEZING FOG

Yes its the West Midlands that now dominate the last leg of the UK buses to DVD marathon and I'm on 1994 the year before we went from Hi8 format to miniDv which was a vaste improvement, Hi8 was ok in good weather but suffered in rain, cold etc and the tapes themselves proved pronew to decay and really have been the worst media we used. Thankfully we were amongst the first to upgrafe to the new digital format in 1995. This said it has been our promise to bring everything viewable to the enthusiast as the cry has always been is there any more so never mind the weather it brings back memories of freezing fog, torrential rain, snow, ice and all that wretched winter can offer. Meanwhile the 2014 winter is just getting steam up as the thermometer starts to drop and it's already freezing over outside but we've had some warming soup to keep us going albeit low calorie and its already day two of our fasting as we are out at the RNCM in Manchester tomorrow to see Sarah Foubert in Merry Widow.

Martin Rickitt has survived his trip around Laos and Cambodia, the latest news is that there is now a new three route city service in Pnom Penh the capital, the ticket haul wasn't large but it wasn't a transport tour. Martin has decided not to come on the Mexico trip which has rather put the dampers on plans but alternatives methods are being investigated and I'm sure we'll sort something out, guides seem to be expensive at around £40 an hour whilst taxis are both expensive and potentially dangerous it really is a place where caution comes first and having someone to guide and escort us at all times outside the hotel seems a sensible solution to the trip and perhaps we can share a twin room and cover the extra cost or invite others to join but I don't relish being responsible for the safety of those outside our small circle. Hopefully the Indian visa is under way and I heard from Handan in Bangladesh with the confirmation letter we require when putting in for our Bangladesh visas at the back end of this month.

I must push on with the West Midlands and then get Sussex out of the way. Meanwhile photos from Eastbourne Monday morning this week