Useful tips for travellers

Well, we are on our way again.  Me, that is, and the resident idiot Julian who has kidnapped me yet again for a global odyssey.  At least, I hope it's not an odyssey as there is a rather nice ram making eyes at me just south of Borth and whom I'm not expecting to wait twenty years for my return.

Be that as it may, because I doubt, dear reader, you are particularly interested in the romantic leanings of an ovine entrepreneur, we are off on our travels and have just arrived at the first port of call - Hong Kong.  Now you might reasonably expect that Julian, who has travelled the globe on many occasions, a seasoned traveller, a veritable Marco Polo of academic adventurism, would know what he was doing when it comes to organising himself, local customs etc.  How wrong you can be.  Here is a little check list for you all which I would strongly suggest you commit to memory:

1. If you shave, take a razor.
2. If you have a beard trimmer, pack it with the button turned to "off" so that the battery isn't flat when you arrive.
3. Ditto the electric toothbrush.
4. Ditto your Kindle.
5. Take the chargers for items in points 2, 3 and 4.
6. Don't decide to walk from your meeting back to the hotel (about 3 miles) and expect there to be any public conveniences on the way.
7. Get very concerned when the taxi driver has never heard of your hotel or even the street it is on.
8. Never believe a travel agent (see above).
9. Never eat in a restaurant owned by the cousin of the concierge.
10. Never believe a concierge over the definition of "restaurant".

And that's just the first 36 hours of this journey.  I look forward, dear readers, to keeping you apprised of the remainder of Julian's howlers.  Tomorrow is our first event, another great do at the Hong Kong club courtesy of our great friend, Giles Surman.  Apart from not having seen a blade of grass since I got here, the weather is comfortable (locals = freezing), the people as always (concierges notwithstanding) helpful and charming, and I'm just off for a perm and blow-dry - well, a sheep has to look her best after all.