Well all good things have to come to an end and these are the ramblings of a sad and broken woman.
It was back to the airport in the “limousine”. Good job they don’t have trade descriptions in Thailand. Anyway it got us there and in 1.5 hours it was a good journey not too much traffic.

We had intended to have something nice to eat at the airport but that was a non starter as we could not find anywhere decent. We settled for a little place and I picked a tuna salad and a bread roll. The bread roll came toasted with jam!

Passed the time away before we boarded the plane. This was an Emirates flight and it comes in from Hong Kong. It was about a third full already. There were people sleeping and covered with blankets mainly black men don’t know where they were all from but looked like they were going to work in Dubai. There was a really strong smell of farts and body odour….charming.

The flight was uneventful at one stage I resorted to tamazapan to try and sleep this did not work even with a few wines. Our close friends Tony and Diane picked us up from the airport and it was lovely to see them.

Soon we were winging our way home the airport is about 50 minutes from our house.

Even after 10 weeks it seemed as if we were just coming back from a 2 week holiday.

The Garden was overgrown and they had had some hot weather. As it turns out it looks like this was the only hot weather that we are going to have this summer.

The house was still, neat and clean. Our neighbours had bought milk and bread. They had been checking on the house and my sister and brother in law had been opening and dealing with any mail that needed attention.

The answer phone must have give up the ghost with so many messages as only one was audible.

We spent the rest of the day unpacking, catching up and picking the car up. This had been at Susan’s house for the duration. Dave’s had been at the house.

It seemed strange.
We were glad to be home but……………

On the Wednesday we went to see Craig who had been moved to a hospital at St Helens. He seemed well and Pauline and Tony had visited him whilst we were away. He was at last starting to look forward to coming home. I realised then that we had needed this time away as he would need our support and we needed our strength to be able to deal with the future. Although we had worried about him I had worried less knowing that he was same where he was.

Morgan was the one that I had worried about more and it turns out that he had moved in with a girl that he knows the recording studio partnership had broken down and I reckon that he had been about as low as he could get. Time to start growing up he was 29 later on in the month.

We saw the grandkids and got a frosty reception from Chloe who is 6 and was disgusted that we had been away so long. Once she realised that we were bearing gifts she came round somewhat.

We went to the coast to our static caravan and it was good to see everyone there. I felt fantastic I was over 80 pounds lighter than I had been the year before I was tanned and felt fit and happy.

It has been hard picking up some threads. Dave needed to get some wok now and it seems that in the short time that we have been away the country has changed. The prices are astronomical not just in comparison to Thai prices but they have risen so much. Diesel at £1.35 a litre £1.80 for a loaf of bread. The work situation is dire and a general depression has settled over the country and over me. To top all this the weather has been awful truly one of the worst summers that I can ever remember. Rain and also cold where we have had to have the heating on and the cost of that has gone up as well.

I don’t want to live in Thailand I want to visit for long periods.
I am really trying to keep cheerful but finding it hard. I have gained over 6 pounds!

Dave has got a few weeks work but that will only put some of the money back that we have spent since we came home with no income. We have spent as much in the UK in just over a month that we spent in Thailand in over 9 weeks (excluding accommodation).The worst thing is that until some more steady work comes in I can’t start booking or thinking about another trip. I know last night I was on the net and looking at holidays to Greece. We really like Greece and have been 17 time. I was looking at a week in Stoupa and the cost in September £525 each!!!!!!!!!!!! You have got to be joking.

I have applied for a non executive post and I am waiting to hear about that and I feel well enough now to start doing some part time work so I am looking at some training consultancy work. I need to stop myself falling further into despair.

I continue to get my fix from the forum and know that in the main I am with good company. Those who share the secret of the land of smiles and how wonderful it is and what it can do for your body and your soul.
Love to you all xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

Hi Jax, I share your pain. It has been 9 months since our last trip and my mood has been on a downward spiral ever since. WE go to the sunshine coast in 2 weeks and straight after that we have a 6 day conference in KOTA Kinabula, yet I still cant get exited as it's just not Thailand and proberbly wont be on the cards until this time next year

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I love Thailand this much

Hi jaxw

I have been enjoying your JBR's shame it is the last one.

You need to shove the fire on grab a bottle of wine and pretend you are still in paradise.

Husband has been watching the cricket on foxtel and the weather in London did not look to bad (that is where we are originally from)
in Perth WA it is raining and cold today, wishing I was in Thailand that is for sure.

Good news about Craig that he feel ready to come back home.

My God that is expensive price to Greece, we use to love going there to the Islands, mind you we have been in Australia for 18 years now
try and keep up to date with the goings on in the UK with the Sun newspaper online, I like all the goss.

hi Jax, loved your JBRS too, will miss them thats for sure,we go next Jan so enjoying the countdown! did you ever find out what happened to Ali?

Hi Jax

All good things come to an end... sad but true.

You're so right about about BKK airport as it happened to us last year and very few food outlets given the size of the airport. We eventually stumbled across Hungry Jacks or some such place and not really what we wanted.

Glad to hear Craig is improving and that Morgan came round after seeing Nan had a pressie ... bloody kids! but don't you just love them.

Did you bring any of that cream home with you? that should make the caravan rock!!

Cheers Geri

weather better in the south we are in the north Lancashire.
Not heard anything from Ali hope all is okay.
Going swimming this morning. Gt Harwood baths with the peeling paint just does not have the same allure. Grey and dull again this morning.

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Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

C'mon Jax--sending you positive vibes from here in Aus . You and Dave will both get work --the coffers will fill up once more and before you know it you will be heading back to Thailand.
Really enjoyed you JBR's. i feel a little sad myself that your holiday is over.
Just continue to look and feel well in the meantime.
Cheers laurs

Oh Jax, my heart went out to you when I read your JBR. You sound just like me when I get home as well. It's been 10 long years since I've been to Thailand and can't wait to go and I too will feel like you when I get home. As laurs says, the coffers will be full before you know it and then remember your post. Although all good things must come to an end....but before you know it to will be having good times again. I promise to give you a good JBR when I get back (not going til Oct) so you can have good memories through me.!!!!!

Looking forward to the jBR these keep me going.
Had a friend here last night from Perth....very very hung over today

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Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

I felt sad as well reading this report, thankyou so much for sharing all of your adventures with us, they were extremely entertaining haha. Chin up, everything happens for a reason and will come good in the end.
Cathy

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http://www.cathyandgarystravelpages.com