30th May 2012 Since the last blog, the mercury has shot up into the high twenties, and the sky has been obligingly cloud-free, practically Mediterranean, only without the sangria. On Tuesday, Lee popped over for a visit. Charlotte and Ellis joined us, and we all headed to Dingley Woods to admire the bluebells and test… Continue Reading

22nd May 2012 The return drive from Heathrow to Harborough was remarkably smooth, with minimal traffic on a Sunday at 7 am. The rest of the day felt a little surreal, battling the cold weather while unpacking and trying valiantly to stay awake. We held out until 9 pm before surrendering to sleep, though we… Continue Reading

12th May 2012 Heading home today. Started the morning with a hearty breakfast of lamb and chicken curry, plus a few other local delicacies I couldn’t even begin to pronounce. I decided it was safer to experiment with my taste buds here, where medical help is at least a short taxi ride away, rather than… Continue Reading

12th May 2012 We woke to yet another glorious, sun-drenched morning. After breakfast, we hopped on the monorail to visit the Bird Park, proudly billed as the world’s largest indoor aviary. Both of us are suckers for anything bright, feathered, and noisy. The walk from the hotel to the station was mercifully short, and we… Continue Reading

10th May 2012 Breakfast was at 7 a.m., and in the interests of gastrointestinal harmony, we opted for European-style dishes, though I’ll admit the curried fish heads were calling to me in a rather persuasive way. After fifteen minutes in the lobby, our mini-bus rolled up, already carrying about ten other guests from the hotel.… Continue Reading

9th May 2012 We woke bright and early at 6.30 a.m., breakfasting on melon and pineapple we’d stashed in the fridge the night before. At 7 a.m., a bell boy appeared to collect our suitcases, and we ambled down to reception to settle the bill. While Sue waited for our taxi, I popped into the… Continue Reading

8th May 2012 At precisely 9 a.m., I handed the car key to the reception desk, awaiting the grand arrival of the rental car representative. Twenty minutes later, with no sign of said representative and my patience evaporating faster than the morning dew, I left the keys with the concierge and retreated to our room.… Continue Reading

7th May 2012 Today we set out with noble intentions: to explore Kota Kinabalu and indulge in a spot of shopping. The sun blazed down, the sky was postcard-perfect, and the heat could have cooked an egg on the bonnet. I was deeply grateful for the car’s air-conditioning, something I’d entirely forgotten to request when… Continue Reading

7th May 2012 The following morning dawned bright and sunny, the sort of weather that makes you feel vaguely guilty for not doing something outdoorsy. Inspired, we set off for Kota Kinabalu, the capital, at 9:30 a.m. Barely fifteen minutes into the drive, a roadside sign advertising a seafood restaurant caught our eye. We made… Continue Reading

6th May 2012 Last night, we took a short ten-minute jaunt from the hotel to a nearby Chinese restaurant. Sadly, the mosquitoes decided Sue was the evening’s all-you-can-eat buffet. At the same time, I made do with a rather disappointing plate of “lemon” chicken that had misplaced the lemon. The language barrier stopped me from… Continue Reading