Wunderbar.... China and Japan for a week of contrasts. Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tokyo. Food to walk miles from and a Rugby match to cry about. No sleep for days, and humour to write home about. Polar opposites in courtesy and competition. The future looks frightening, and inevitable.

Rampant growth, partially controlled, individualistic, under the guise of the greater good. Control will be won surreptitiously, and the rest of us will realise too late. And only after the environmental, social, and political impacts are irreversible.

Incredible to experience, but responsibility comes with the knowledge. Honesty and openness will be increasingly scarce.

At least you can come home and still make a difference...