> One thing that I noticed when I was in the UK was the amazing dearth of SE > asian food. Lots of indian stuff Not surprising when you consider that's where the Brit. colonies and influences came from. Thai is becoming easier to find - I brought home some galangal and lemon grass last week, and can easily get lime leaves. Unfortunately the other half, though more of a chile-head than I (only slightly :-) doesn't like ginger or lemony flavours. I'm trying to educate him. > mmm. The closest I got was eight hours in Schiphol airport... Anyone for > cheese? Last time I was there, they had a seed and bulb stand, mostly selling tulips of course, but also a very good (by European standards :-( selection of chile seeds, the SE Asian varieties rather than the north/ central American ones. Worth a look if you get stuck there again. KLM and British Airways both do pretty good hot food if you ask in advance. I generally ask BA for the "Eastern Vegetarian" option and get a Ch-worthy meal which many curry houses would be proud of. Mary in Manchester, England ps > In general the darker the drink the more likely it is too make you feel worse. There > is a reason for this but I have forgotten it.... Side alcohols and nasty things called fusel oils, if I remember rightly. Dehydration and mineral loss are both well tackled by any of the isotonic sports drinks, like Gatorade or Isostar. Try a pint before you go to bed and another when you get up. (I keep them in the house because we're both distance runners. Honest.)