It’s nice to be back in South Africa. I arrived mid-morning along with Greg Sherwood and Sam Harrop. Together with Tim Atkin, who got here a little earlier, we are the UK contingent judging the Top100 tasting (see the website here).

The three of us flew SAA, on a slightly older Airbus A340-200. This means that it doesn’t have a personal entertainment system in economy class. Instead, there’s one feature film shown on monitors dotted throughout the cabin. It reminds me of air travel in the 1980s. I quite enjoy watching films on long haul flights: it seems to make them shorter. So it’s a bit disappointing to not have the option.

I did manage to sleep, though, as well as finish off Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Crossing’. A great book.

I reckon the key to sleeping in economy class is to use earplugs, eyeshades, and drink two small bottles of wine.

It was a glorious day in St James, Cape Town, where we are staying. The sun was out, there was a light breeze, and temperatures were in the mid-20s. I paddled in the sea and soaked up the atmosphere. I’m looking forward to this week.