I am off back to Malaysia today. Saying goodbye to second daughter and venturing into the wilds of LAX to see if this time I can get through the queues (because I have a paper ticket) and the security in under 3 or so hours in time to get on the plane.

We returned to L.A. yesterday, after our holiday in Yosemite and San Francisco – more of which later. Suffice it to say that high on the places to visit was Borderlands, the specialty bookstore in Valencia St, Mission district – and an absolute must on the itinerary of any sff reader. Or in fact, cat lover. This is Ripley the hairless Sphinx cat. Patting it is rather like running your hand over a balloon filled with water. Sort of rubbery on the outside and soggy inside… Every time I pointed the camera in its direction it looked away in that delightfully non-obliging way common to all felines. Gotta love ’em.

Came away from Borderlands with still more books to try and fit in suitcases and still remain under the weight limit. Wish me luck.