I've got someone with me...

...some of you might know her. Say hello, then.

HELLO EVERYONE. I AM NOT IN FACT SHOUTING BUT APPARENTLY I HAVE TO WRITE IN CAPITALS SO YOU KNOW IT'S ME.

She is shouting actually. It's very embarrassing. What's your name then? And how are you?

THIS IS LIZ, IN CASE YOU HADN'T GUESSED. I AM VERY WELL. OVERJOYED TO BE REUNITED WITH MY BELOVED. HE IS QUITE TANNED, SLIGHTLY THINNER AND BEARDLESS, THANK GOD.

Enough of the sarcasm. How do you like your new home with it's chocolate Angel Delight coloured walls, gold tablecloth and tasteful objets d'art?

IT'S DELIGHTFUL BUT COULD DO WITH A SPRING CLEAN I THINK.

Well, that's why you're here, love.

NOW I AM SHOUTING.

And hitting. So, how was Chile, Uyuni etc.? It seems that while I have been engaged in the serious adventure/travelling business of eating and drinking, you have been idly abseiling down 30 ft mine shafts, riding horses through the desert and enduring miners blockades in Oruro.

YES, I HAVE BEEN HAVING A QUIET, RESTFUL TIME WITH A JOLLY GANG OF AUSTRALIAN, IRISH AND AMERICAN NUTTERS WHO CONVINCED ME THAT PLUNGING DOWN ENORMOUS SAND DUNES ON A SNOWBOARD WAS A GOOD IDEA. I DON'T THINK MY BACKSIDE WILL EVER FULLY RECOVER.

Oh dear, how indelicate. Never mind, now you're in La Paz with me so the only hardships you will have to endure for the near future will be mental.

So, there she is ladies and gentleman, hale and hearty as usual. Today we will have a mooch around and tonight we will probably go out with the crazed loons that constitute the teaching staff at the institute. Happy days. Hope everyone is well. Bye. Say goodbye, Elizabeth.

BYE THEN. MY NEW CHUMS ARE GOING TO EMAIL ME PHOTOS OF THE TRIP SO WILL ADD THOSE AS SOON AS I GET THEM. LOTS OF LOVE XXX