Hiya and greetings from Nepal. The country’s in a pretty weird state. I’ve just come from Lumbini, birthplace of the Buddha, where the government was trying to hold a huge international Buddhist congress but the Maoists organised a transport strike so the king of Nepal (who really looks like the gangster he’s reputed to be) presided over a gathering of about five hundred locals, and I think me and the friend I’m travelling with were the only westerners who made it – after a thirty five k ride in a cycle rickshaw along silent country roads. Peace (of any kind) is so hard to come by here, it was surreal and wonderful. Good old Maoists, perhaps they’ll do more of this sort of thing.

A friend has just put an advert in the back of Private Eye for me – “Zen monk seeks place for solitary retreat, city or country.” The idea is to find a place for January and February, maybe house-sitting or something like that, so I can do some meditation and writing. If you know of anywhere that might work, give me a shout. The ancient texts assure us that there are all kinds of merits and blessings in store for those who set these things up.

Wishing you all manner of good things and much comfort and joy in the run-up. See you soon.