17 August

Everything is organised, leave on Sunday for the UK

I have a new co-pilot, Brett Mahlo, he ferries the Saab airliners to and from Sweden so is familiar with the route.

He left for china and then the UK this morning, I leave on Sunday getting into Heathrow at 5.30 AM on Monday. I usually sleep pretty well on planes so the intention is to do the (relatively) short flight to France later that morning and stay with Rick and Mireille Featherstone in Cabris, near Cannes .

A day off there, leaving for Luxor in Egypt early on Wednesday.