In the morning there is no breakfast, the water supply to the hut has stopped and there is no toilet paper either. The later is not uncommon in Thailand but as there is normally running water it is usually no problem. After last night's meal, though, this poses a few difficulties but I'm sure you'll be grateful if I spare you the details.

I set off for Uttaradit at about ten a.m. and arrive about four p.m. I soak in a hot shower, guzzle a couple of beers and then hurry into the restaurant where, I am ashamed to say, I gorge myself to make up for my foodless day. I take a wander around the town and discover a place called 'Nude Bar' which has no nudes (I checked!) and a place called 'Casino Bar' which is not a casino.

After a few more drinks I wander off to a massage shop, where, after a two hour massage, the girls, having all fallen in love with me it seems, argue about who will give me a ride back to my hotel. In the end the issue is settled when two of them jump onto a motorbike and indicate for me to climb on in the middle, where I find myself squeezed and caressed by exploring hands from fore and behind.

In this rather dangerous, but, I must admit, warm and pleasant, manner, I'm conducted back to the hotel. I ask them both to come in for drinks but they decline and disappear off into the distance. Maybe they just don't want to share. I've been told that one of them wants me to take her with me to Chiang Mai, however the next day I do not go back so in Uttaradit, to the best of my knowledge, she remains.

Sunday arrives at the expected time and after the normal routine of breakfast followed by check-out I depart Uttaradit for Chiang Mai. I'm delayed by a minor problem with the bike again as after being dodgy the whole time I have it the seat lock finally refuses to latch. This is sorted by application of percussion utilising a handy rock and some additional application of scientifically applied physics, utilising a pebble. When the hire guy next lifts the seat on the bike he will wonder why there is a stone wedged into the mechanism but by then I will be long gone.