Happy New Year

Day 78: Krong Koh Kong (K). Walking through the streets of Krong Koh Kong, Karen and I couldn't help but notice the sense of excitement and anticipation in the air as the local community continued with its preparation for the Khmer New Year celebrations in a few days time.

As the fairy lights were being carefully draped over the Buddhist shrines I thought back to our own excellent New Years celebrations round at Steve & Clare's, ending up (as always!) in the Waggon & Horses until some ridiculous time of the morning. That was just days before we departing on our travels. Right now though, I guessed Steeple Morden would be busying itself in preparation for the Easter holidays falling as they did, on the same weekend as the start of the 'Chaul Chnam Khmer'. Which made me realise just how long we had been away from home.

Over those months, it's strange the things that Karen and I have craved. I mean there's the obvious things like friends, family, Huffkin & Chuddleigh – but we always knew we were going to miss them. No, I'm talking about the more subtle things: Karen for instance is desperately missing cooking and I'm missing cutting the lawns and pottering around in the garden. Then there's the village pub and riding our motorbikes; walking down the street and bumping into somebody we know; idle chit-chat; going outside without being ravished by mosquito's, football, watching a good film, basic sanitation, baths, the lousy weather – the list goes on and on. Then of course there's the food: Karen is desperate for some cheese on toast and a nice fresh yoghurt, whereas I would die for a nice savoury pie - steak & kidney would be good, and then a generous slice of malteser cake all washed down with a and a pint or two of Old Speckled Hen!

So on the 3rd May, it looks like we'll be riding our bikes across to the Waggon & Horses, eating Sandra out of house and home and talking to everyone we know about how bad the weather is. Look out Steeple Morden!