Hotels have been confirmed in Damascus and Petra. Few more to go but getting there slowly. The wife has confirmed that she will join me in Napoli for the drive back to London. I am relieved at this as I had worries over the trip through Jordan, Syria and Southern Turkey.

I have decided to travel part of the way with an imaginary friend. I am going to call him Charlie. Imagunary friends are useful because they don't need hotel rooms or visas. Unfortunately, they don't buy beers but this is a small sacrifice compared to the company they provide.