Packing Day, and at least I've have managed to assign myself a full day to ensure I have everything I need. Sadly, despite performing various exercises on weight scales etc. I am still around 10% over my allowance. After having packed and repacked I managed to end up with even more essential stuff, and have now finally decided to throw myself on the mercy of Singapore Airlines.

This week has been a round of farewells. I'll be home for a few weeks over Christmas and this will at least make my going away tolerable for my family. The original plan was to be away for six months. That's just too long away.

First it was farewell to my office colleagues in the never ending party that is Las Iguanas. It may be a chain restaurant, but the food and service are reliable, and the prices fare, even though the cocktails could use some degree of strengthening.

Next up to my friends from the pub, the concept of not having a decent pint of ale until Christmas fills me with dread. Maybe time to work on the belly a bit then. Rumours do persist of a Belgian Bar on the coast. It turned into a cracking evening with a good collection of friends.

One particularly has taken to wearing a very fine top hat. Sadly after a few bevvies I couldn't help wondering aloud - wouldn’t it be funny if....? Now remember William Tell? (Apple on his son's head, shoot off cleanly with arrow, clean up small brown mess afterwards, and pay for counselling for several years to come, never mind the social services.) Well repeat trick with hat, whatever comes to hand, and a willing volunteer.

In reality however, armed with a supply of willing citrus fruit from local grocer, a very unwilling volunteer who flatly refused to sit still, it all got a bit messy. Please - throwing oranges and lemons around a bar is not a good idea, especially when they start being returned. OK a food fight, but at least a healthy one.