For me, travelling, it seems, is less of aa question of how or when, but who. The first two factors are indeed important, as is cost, but the first thing I think about when I need to take a trip of any size is who is going to help me get there.

I need to take two trips; precisely when is yet to be fixed. Quite ironically they are to opposite ends of the country: I need to go see Lyn in London, and Steve has invited me to Edinburgh where he and jenny now live. I’d like to take both trips before the coming of Christmas. While I’m sure I can find a way of doing this cheaply enough, the question is how.

I’m crap at organising stuff, and need practice. As mentioned here, the Paris trip was largely organised by Charlotte. I strongly suspect, however, that miss Jones will be too busy this term to take any such trip, and while she might otherwise be my first choice given her tried and tested and extensive abilities, it would be wrong of me to rely on Charlie as my personal chauffeur. She’s my best friend, not my servant, and besides I need to organise this myself. The question, then, is who?

My first choice would be ricardio. He’s a good PA, very astute and observant. I think he’s met lyn too. Thing is, he can’t drive and might be busy at his theatre. Mind you, I could work around that.

I like Rob, but I’ve never asked him to do stuff like put me to bed or bathe me, so hemay not feel comfortable helping me with these particular tasks. He’s an older gentleman, which may make things awkward when it comes to certain planned activities with Lyn. He has a car, but I’d prefer to go on the train either way.

I’m also considering asking my friend Chris. He and Steve used to live together, and are good friends. Chris isn’t officially a PA, and has never PAed for me before, but he’s a local fellow whose abilities I am extremely confident in.

Then there’s lee, a friend from school, who helped me at Onevoice this year. Capital fellow, but such a trip may be too tiring.

Of course, I’m intending to make two trips, not one, so I could ask two different people. there are also people like Esther to consider. I’ll let you know how I get on. As it stands, I’m just at the beginning of the planning stage, so neither trip might happen. Mind you I thought that last time.

Hold on. I just had an idea…