Chiang Mai, Thailand

It is now regarded as a top destination, although having visited three times, I would say it’s been this way for some time.

It’s 700 miles north of Bangkok, the usual entry point for visitors. If you don't stop in Bangkok, transfer flights are very straightforward. Bangkok’s main airport is a combined international and domestic travel hub, and the internal flight is just over an hour.

It is regarded as Thailand's second city and has a population of roughly 1 million. Although Bangkok is chaotic, Chiang Mai is bustling. This is mainly due to the prevalence of motorcycles and tuk-tuks, which are often the quickest way around.

Attractions include night bazaars and sprawling local markets, which usually include many food options. Pretty much everyone appears to run a business of some kind, whether it be a permanent coffee shop, restaurant, or the pop-up variety in markets.

There is no set architectural style. Every block or sub-block has a style/design of its own. Almost anything goes. This also means you must always look where you are going. One minute, a block can be supreme, the next, it can be a little rough and tumble. There is noise in most places, although there are quieter side streets. Usually, you are not far from the smell of food. There is no excuse to ever feel hungry.

While flying to Thailand is not necessarily cheap, staying and eating out are very good value. If you are staying in an apartment block, there is often a small shop either in the block or nearby. One common inclusion is laundries. They are often open, quick, and do a great job—they have to because there are so many of them.

Like I said, you can get around on motorbikes or tuk-tuks. There are also red van services, which don’t have set destinations. I didn’t try these, but I was told they go in a general direction determined by who’s onboard.

The most bizarre traffic experiences are possible. Traffic lights are for decoration only, but somehow, everyone weaves in and out. Motorbikes with sidecars can be interesting. I was once overtaken by a mobile kitchen. Surreal.

I didn’t realise that whole families can fit on a moped. Mum, two kids behind, one in front, plus their dog on its hind legs with its front paws on the handlebars. The look this dog gave me. “Who you ya lookin at?”

Mixed in all this are a couple of ultramodern shopping centres, which look completely out of place but are a haven of air conditioning on a hot and humid day.

The city has big plans: an expanded airport and even an elevated metro.

It could change the look and feel of this city, which is unique in its current form. I hope it doesn’t change that much.

Travelling by air with your best friend.

Sounds like a nightmare. All the rules, no one does it the same way. Big dog’s little dogs, in a holdall, in the cargo hold. Oh no not in there.

A visit to the vets. Think about their diet, being watered. What if your dog needs injections? Could they be lost or killed?

Oh, come on, anybody would think airlines don’t want pets on board. No cuddles or tummy rubs?

And yet, today, there are airlines designed around your dogs' needs.

One has Bark in its title

Dedicated check-in, Walk-on walk-on service. A seat with a view.

Food and drink to suit your pooch. Dog-friendly film shows.

Extra wide seats so you can relax and sleep together

Even a dog play park. What more could you ask for?

"Because your dog deserves to fly first class."

….I’m not making this up. Go find the video.

Walking and Cycling on the Wild Side

Reading an article about returning to Florida, where summer rains make for beautiful morning walks, reminds me of Devon, England.

Getting out into the countryside is a real thrill. There are changing landscapes, scenes, and weather. Naturally, we prefer the summer for hopefully delightful excursions.

A favourite walk of mine contains teasing views. A seaside horizon. An island just over yonder. That’s a thing about Devon.

There are many hills to climb but many downhill, so you can pretend it’s easy. Quiet lanes and field tracks are mostly places I have to myself. It’s interesting that walkers stick mostly to the most popular areas and rarely venture beyond.

Ok, there are sometimes deep puddles and muddy tracks. I’ve even been known to travel arse first if I’m looking at the view instead of my feet. Even though there is a lack of walkers, you aren’t alone.

Sheep and cows, you expect the birds you can hear. Sitting in my shed, I hear the patter of feet on the roof.

Less common is seeing wild deer. They tend to hug tree clumps. Always on the alert, ears are turning like a mini radar antenna. This week, a small rodent ran across the front of me.

A few months ago, a large rat did the same manoeuvre. Omg, rats are huge and no less agile than mice. Funny, though, neither was keen to hang around for a chat.

Cycling

I’m also near some cycle trails, all part of the national cycle network. My nearest one is the Tarka trail, on the former track bed of a railway that last saw action in 1982 but could do so again if local campaigners are successful.

Being flat, the trail is popular with walkers and cyclists. The stretch between Bideford and Instow is particularly picturesque as it is adjacent to the Torridge River. Instow has a boat club, so there is always a boating scene to admire. For cyclists, there’s usually a breeze to contend with. The Torridge meets the Taw River just beyond Instow and Appledore on the opposite bank and almost immediately crashes into the Bristol Channel. When there is a stiff westerly, you can hear the roar of the currents fighting each other.

With an ex-railway, there are cuttings, and in the case of Instow, a short tunnel is lit. Beyond, the trail slowly changes direction towards Barnstaple via Fremington. The wind that was behind you can suddenly be against you. That’s the nature of cycling. This time of year, hearing nature away from traffic noises is easier. There is a general increase in insects, so keep your mouth shut, particularly near farms.

When I passed a tractor turning over a field, seagulls followed close behind as if following a fishing boat. Past Fremington, the trail gets closer to the Taw River. In between are wetlands, which attract wader birds. Their noisy activity can be heard even when cycling.

When you reach Barnstaple and cross one of the two bridges, you can continue on the trail on the other disused railway track towards Braunton and Ilfracombe.

At the edge of Braunton, it is a fun diversion for walkers and cyclists. It is a whole area of farmland on reclaimed land. However, it is ancient, having been created 600/700 years ago. Does it look like Holland? Nope, but you can see how it was built up field by field. There are lots of waterways and small bridges, plus a causeway. The waterways are havens for swans. It is rare not to see any.

Scattered about are summer campsites and even a remote farm shop.

Walking or cycling lets you see things at a slower pace. It feels like you're witnessing hidden gems every time.

Working from home is bad for you.

Could this be the boss who’s concerned that they don’t know what you are doing?

So, they tell you a story of woe.

Your discipline will go out of the window

Productivity will suffer

Your brain will shrink because you’re not directly interacting with people

Thankfully, if you do have a brain, you’ll realise that the opposite is true.

As long as you allow it, that is

Do the two opposites attract or repel one another?

I read yesterday about how your first hires as a business owner

Sets the tone and the style of your business

This is important because how you define yourself and your goals matters

Are you a fixed-location business?

A always on-the-move business?

Or somewhere in between?

I would add change to the mix

My first employer took me to one side and told me

“Alex, change will not only be constant, but the speed of change will only increase.”

This was in 1978. I had just joined a computer industry that had been active since WW2, but in many ways, it was still fledgling.

Looking back, this was very insightful.

Boy, has the IT industry moved.

In some ways, it now feels like an industry moving faster than we are.

Like the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century

Are we experiencing one in IT?

The most important question is how we react to it

Tech can and does many things

It also promises many things

The maximin I advocate is

Only automate when you understand the process

Lean on technology to remove repetitive tasks

But replacing humans should

Never never never be on the agenda

AI may be trying to mimic us

But they are not us!

They do not think like us.

Whether you are home or in the office

Is down to your business culture