Wei Chiat and Hoi Jin

It's funny how even in a short two-night stay when the turn-around work can make you wonder if it's really worthwhile, it suddenly can become clear that it is.

Wei Chiat and Hoi Jin entered our lives from nowhere and made themselves instantly at home. Relaxing on the sofa, sleeping-in, sitting at the kitchen table for breakfast even when Dd was sorting thousands of coins on it and we had set pristine places for them on the patio table outside.

'Doesn't matter!' said Wei Chat. And it didn't, he just wanted to sit at our kitchen table and have his breakfast as we went about our business. He's a big and loveable guy in every sense and left us a pack of marvellous coffee, ground in his home region of Malaysia....they live in Singapore. And they bought a signed copy of my book! We'd love to have them back for longer and miss them already . . .

On another note, we pause to remember with gratitude Chaiselongue who died four years ago today. Forever in our thoughts.