I'm finally home from my vacation in Thailand, I am so glad I chose the hotel I chose and the airline were top class except for the bit where they lost my side-guard in Abu Dhabi. They seemed to think it was OK to fly my chair straight to Bangkok. I was so humiliated in their big clunky wheelchair that I couldn't even push myself in. At least they didn't lose a tyre.

My housemate and I arrived in Bangkok at about 6.30pm, the sun was already setting as he lifted me into a taxi and we gave the driver our destination in Pattaya. Turns out it's quite a well known hotel. I wouldn't know where a top hotel was past Cardiff let alone somewhere at least an hour away. We were checked into our room where we discovered I wouldn't really be able to get in and out of the bathroom due to a step into it which then went down a little and was narrow, you wouldn't be able to stand on it really, a couple of inches thick, just to stop the room getting wet. It was a small bathroom and I had to wedge my wheelchair against the bath and do a dodgy transfer onto the toilet. For the bath I can get in a bath and at a shove get out but it's risky, especially when wet. We had a large single bed each and I was glad I had an indwelling catheter fitted. We went exploring that night. The pavements are very high and my housemate pushed my chair for me. We went for food and saw some late markets.

The next morning we were up by 8 to get the buffet breakfast. It was to die for, had everything from bacon and eggs to salad, noodles, rice, juices, I had 2 plates full along with 2 croissants and a drink. We tired of it after a week though and just bought ourselves Instant Noodles so we could sleep later. Things don't start til 10/11am in Thailand. Many hours were spent sunbathing by the pool even on the cloudy days as the rays still penetrate the clouds. We went to market after market, beach vendor after beach vendor. I drank a lot of coconuts and got carried onto many mini buses (these were actually modified pick up trucks with metal benches and a frame). I bought lots of clothes.

One night we were on what is called Second Road going into a mall named the Big C. My housemate had just lifted me over fixed metal traffic poles and set me down, I lifted so he could push my cushion from the wheel (I did lose my side-guard after all) and this old man came up to me and asked why the wheelchair, what was wrong with my legs. I said nothing, it's my back. He then proceeded to lift his shorts up and go into detail about his knee replacement and how he had to be in one of 'these'. I told him it's not a competition whilst laughing, strained laughter. I was fuming. How dare he? I was having a wonderful time when some old git decides to try and score some sort of point? He claimed to be 85, he wasn't. He was 65 if that. He claimed his mother was 105, what a bullshitter. He then told me to keep smiling. I told him well done, he wins the Internet. He was one of those people who doesn't care to listen to anyone else, he carried on with his evening.

Many times by the pool I inflated my rubber ring and had my housemate gently place me in the water so I could float about. I tensed my lower stomach muscles to see my legs rise. I had a couple of Thai massages, I didn't say I couldn't feel my legs and closed my eyes to see if I could tell. I knew something was going on, much like if you pull a string the end will follow if you pull or push a leg it makes other muscles and bones higher up move. It was lovely to get my back, shoulders, arms and neck massaged.

We were there for a special festival that only happens on the 12th lunar Month which is usually in November. People bought and crafted floating ornaments out of wood and flowers to put in the sea with candles in and let off Chinese lanterns. The beach was packed full of people and the sky full of these lanterns. We bought one was lit it before watching it eventually get enough hot air in it to float into the sky. There were still floating remnants in the sea the next day.

I was stunned by some people's ignorance to my condition. Whilst lifting me about sometimes someone would try to help by grabbing my wheels. What do people think wheels do? You can't pick someone up by their wheels. Makes me want to swear, fuck it I'll swear. Thinking they're helping. I could've come out and landed on my face! I had to slap hands and show them WHEELS TURN AROUND. And the times I asked about elevators in places and they'd helpfully point me up a flight of stairs. What do they think the wheelchair is for? For SHOW? I did fall out, twice. Once my flatmate was, er, entertaining and I didn't know where he was. He'd been gone 12 hours. I got up, got myself into the bathroom and in and out of the bath myself then when I was trying to get out there was that weird step and the bathroom is higher than the floor outside. I tried to wheelie out but that 2 inch step was too small and a little too high so my chair tipped forwards. I was holding myself in when I realised I could safely slide out, push my chair in front of me to the bed which was all of 2 metres and drag myself onto the bed. As I got on the bed who turned up? The Scarlet Pimpernel himself. The second time we got a coach to Bangkok to go to the markets there and yet another helpful soul directed us to the SkyTrain which was, of course, up a flight of marble steps. Cheers! I didn't notice the slight difference in floor levels before this discovery and the front castors hit and I slid out. Because I like to wear skirts I have it so my catheter bag is in the little bag under my chair and I attach or detach it myself as I have a flip-flow valve. When I came out I was still attached and terrified of damaging my urethra. All was fine though. We had to get a taxi back and they overcharged cos we're not Thai (isn't that racism? If we did that here people would get locked up!). That night was a bowel night and let's just say I was a little late. The taxi driver coughed, my housemate said I smelled and I checked, wrong way to find out really.

On the way there my luggage was less than 10 kilos and so was my housemates. On the way back it weighed 39 kilos between us. We took my remaining side-guard and cushion on the plane this time. No flies on us. Got on the plane first and through all the checks first. Sadly if you're in a wheelchair you have to get off the plane last. We just got to our connecting flight as it was in 'final call'. Got home last night about half 8 and already it feels like I never went :-(

I ordered a syringe so I can remove my catheter and called for another side-guard this morning. It was a wonderful 2 weeks, I missed my cats though (we found a stray a few months back and another turned up just days before we left, I'm getting her checked tomorrow just in case she's not well or injured).

A mischievous cat came in through the side window today and was in the hall when my housemate spotted it, it was a grey stripey one, very friendly and a bit fluffy. My cat did not like this and went nuts so we had to shut the door while I played with this new cat. My housemate had to usher it out which was a shame, I would like lots of cats ha x he thinks he's seen a stray by his girlfriend's house and said if it is still there he will bring it home.

I am eagerly anticipating Thailand, half the weather reports suggest scattered torrential storms but knowing that part of the world it only absolutely chucks it down for about half an hour. Excitement for Egypt is on it's way too.

I have a nail appointment tomorrow ready for Thailand and may pop a quick sunbed in as I haven't been in over a week. I have my mosquito bands, insect repellent and factor 30 spray ready and we've found our passports.

I was thinking an umbrella hat would be better, it won't poke anyone in the eye then.

Lat night I arranged to see a friend to go firework hunting. I pulled on a pair of skinny indigo jeans and a grey thermal jumper then eased my legs into a pair of grey suede thigh high boots, forcing my hand inside to ease my toes straight. I transferred into my wheelchair and hooked my heels onto the footrest before going to the car and transferring in. I had my housemate put my wheelchair in the boot then went to pick up my friend.

After picking her up we went to a snack bar up a mountain for a roll then went to pick my housemate and his girlfriend up. We parked up a mountain with a great view but by the time we got there the fireworks had practically stopped!

I had my indwelling catheter put in today ready for Thailand, I don't like it as it shows through my tight wet-look leggings and I'm not sure if they are too tight that they do not let my urine low to the leg bag. I have a flip flow valve at the top so I can control it so not to lose bladder tone but last year it kept leaking from inside me! I had to keep it on open all the time.

Anyway I have thermal leggings on under my wet-look leggings to keep warm and my slanket. I've been buying cosy pyjamas and thigh high fluffy socks to keep me warm in bed and I have lots of thin blankets to layer on top of my duvet in bed as layers are better than one big blanket plus if I get too hot then I can flick one or two off. It will be a shame to come back to this cold, dreary country after being in Thailand!

So it's Halloweem weekend! My alarm went off at half 10 reminding me to pick up my friend for a Halloween Workshop. She had no idea what was entailed and wishing to be part of the Halloween spirit after my shower I wriggled into a Minnie Mouse dress complete with net tutu and thigh high socks. As the dress in empire lined I added my own saucy twist with a leather underbust corset. I eased my feet into red patent high heels with an ankle strap and bow, put my Minnie Mouse ears on and away we went.

On arrival a few people gave me approving looks, or maybe it was shock I can't tell! We got to the Workshop to find it full of children! We stayed anyway and I painted cutouts of a pumpkin and 2 bats. We went for food shortly after to an Italian and I had to get the corset off as I felt very faint and generally 'off'.

I am now in my apartment awaiting my housemate as we have pumpkins to carve!

I am counting down the hours til I'm on that flight to Thailand, I've been Googling it all over and over! I'm so excited! I want to go to Egypt next!

It was sunny yet ice cold this morning when I got up for voluntary work. I made a sensible decision and chose to wear a grey knitted poncho to keep me warm over my grey jeans and t shirt. I've ordered fluffy over the knee socks for winter and a blanket with sleeves. I already have a thermal vest, 2 thermal jumpers and some thermal leggings as well as fluffy ankle boot slippers! I will not be cold this year!

Last week when I went to voluntary work I fell out of my wheelchair as the door to the building opens outwards and the ramp is steep. This time I called a lady from across the pavement and when I left asked for a member of staff to open it for me. I then went for a sandwich and sunbed, bought a few vests and a mini skirt. I love vests, they can be dressed up or down and layered. They don't get in the way of the wheelchair either.

I didn't question why I was taped to my instructor, I would've thought it was pretty obvious seeing as I can't move my legs. Anyway, the weather's been dry for a while now, wish it would stay like this! I can handle the cold I just can't stand the rain. It affects my grip severely plus how is one supposed to wheel and hold an umbrella? Hopefully I'll miss the rain when I escape to Thailand in the not too distant future.

I went for my bi-weekly sunbed today, I didn't want to get off! I didn't bother looking around town, just came straight home so I could catch up with a few things as I was in London yesterday, left at half 2 and didn't get back til gone midnight. I've been applying for full time work on the hope I get a new wheelchair!

Well should I say wheelchair users don't do a skydive? You will arrive before everyone else yet be kept til last because apparently it's 'harder work' for the whole team? This 'harder work' consisted on my feet being gaffer taped to my diver's feet. Big mission! Waking up at 5am to be there for 8am and then jumping at 1pm really took it out of me. I didn't have a good sleep as it was so I made up for it last night, I don't really feel that awake now to be honest! I'll have to improve on this post when I feel more 'with it' sorry guys!