Despite irresolution and indecision sweeping over me again I sleep well and have not much changed my mind over the South America idea. If anything I’ve hardened my attitude. Have called a meeting of Steve, J-P and Rog at No 34.

J-P arrives, full of beans. ‘A good omen,’ he enthuses, producing the Footprint guides to Venezuela, Argentina and Brazil, ‘3 for 2 at the local Waterstones!’ I explain my doubts straight away and there is little or no attempt on anyone’s part to try and change my mind. Rog agrees that South America could be seen as escapist after ‘Himalaya’, and tho’ J-P puts up an alternative argument, I think the point is taken that there are fewer opportunities for human contacts, and a Latin-American homogeneity which could wear thin after six shows.

Then, out of a good discussion, comes a shaft of light. Roger, I think, mentions Europe and this leads me on to suggesting not the well-trodden territory of Western Europe, but the less well-known, but newly liberated East. New Europe – now there’s an idea. Closer to home both physically and politically. New countries, old religions and traditions. Dense and complex and full of people to talk to.

The clouds have moved on, the sun’s out, home – via Stanfords once again, this time to collect maps with Moldova and Bosnia Herzegovina on.