A BIT OF A RANT

So after a few days rest the jet lag has finally been conquered and my stomach has got over the material that British Airways refer to as in flight meals.
Perhaps it is my age, perhaps it is because I expect more but flying is pants. It starts at the air port, I know, I know that with the enhanced security measures that check-in and all of that takes longer but once 'Air side' one is faced with the joys of the departure lounge. Departure lounge - who thinks of these names, I would like to state that my lounge at home does not have thousands of people walking around, clutching an assortment of duty free products (that would cost even less in the country they intend to visit). In Japan, my brand of cigarette costs 320 yen per pack of 20. The exchange rate is approximately 220 yen to the GB pound, you work it out.Lounge, holding pen more like.

Once one has boarded the plane the conditions and treatment don't improve. I realise that for an extra fee one can up-grade (for extra fee please read second mortgage) but for ordinary people who do not work for a multinational (who in turn charge their customers over the odds because the management, from tea boy up, have to travel in a less vertical position and with four more inches of leg room than their customers and the people they represent) have to travel in conditions that would disturb very small contortionists.

I am sorry to go on but the joy of travel can leave a very disappointing after taste.

JAPAN (Tokyo) What a delight to be back, the first day and a half was spent sleeping. The third, eating some fantastic Korean food with Atushi ITO, a very good bookbinder and top friend. It would be true to say that we did have one or two drinks and perhaps we did eat a spot too much and perhaps we did bore everyone else in the restaurant with tall tales of 'extreme bookbinding' but we had fun.

Today was spent traveling to Japans tenth largest city, (as everyone is quick to point out around here)Fukuoka, on the island of Kyushu. We have been for a meal that was extraordinary for a couple of reasons....but first I have to sleep as a day of work is creeping over the horizon.