It's Tuesday 4/3/14 and I have been home 2 days now, My rose coloured specs are off and it's time to report...............

The first thing that struck me on this morning's early walk was the stark contrast between the haves and the have-nots. Just a few hundred yards from the affluent beach front properties and businesses, are the run down ramshackle homes of the locals - some of whom are living in real squalor. The second thing to hit home was the rubbish that is strewn all along the roadside and on the outskirts of the forest - some areas that I walked past stank so much, I had to bury my nose under my shirt collar. I would have taken photo's but I did not want to run the risk of offending anybody plus, with my milky white skin, I stood out like a sore thumb and was already feeling a bit self-conscious by the number of locals who passed by wielding machetes. I needn't have worried though as it soon transpired that they were just out collecting firewood! The beach, however, is very clean and pretty spectacular and it is obvious why it has become such a surfers haven. The water is beautifully clean and clear but the off-black sand takes a bit of getting used to. Now that I have got my bearings and feel completely at ease with the area, I shall take my camera out with me and start posting pictures. It is only 7.15 pm in the evening but the jet-lag is fast catching up with me and, in the circumstances, I am going to sup a few more beers and hit the sack early.

I arrived late last night, after a 23 hour door to door journey, and I was met at the airport by one of the lads who works at the Guesthouse El Balsamo - where I am staying. San Salvador airport is really manic and I wouldn't have fancied trying to wade through the awaiting crowds with my luggage and belongings, trying to organise transport myself. The 30 minute high speed drive in the pitch-black darkness was a little un-nerving but cost only $40 (£25). The owners, Gijs and Veronica were very warm and welcoming and had everything ready for me, including a couple of ice cold beers. I slept soundly and was up at the crack of dawn this morning and went straight out for a 3 hour walk in the surrounding area, as I couldn't really see anything when I arrived last night. On my return, I had breakfast at a nearby eaterie - Sparky's - recommended by Gijs. To give you some idea of costs, a 1000ml (nearly 2 pints) bottle of Pilsner cost $2 (£1.25 which works out at less than 80p a pint!) at the guesthouse bar and breakfast at Sparky's, consisting of a big mushroom, cheese and spinach omelette, sauted potatoes, tomato, peppers and onion side salad, four rounds of toast, jams and honey, a pint of freshly squeezed mandarin juice and three large fresh ground coffees came to $5.75 (£3.45) and left me feeling completely stuffed for the day. I shall post about my 3 hour walk later today but I am now off to the beach to try and get some colour on my milky white body in order that I won't stand out so much from the Salvadorians, who are all really dark-skinned.  

Balthazar King trained by Peter Hobbs/Richard Johnson booked to ride.

The current ruling party (centre left?) appear to have won the weekend's Presidential election but without a sufficiently high enough majority to prevent a re-run in March. The right wing candidate has accused his opponent of using the main gangs in the country to secure victory, having brokered a truce back in 2012 with the two largest - the Mara Salvatrucha and the Barrio 18.
I will be able to secure aisle seats at no extra cost for both connecting flights in the main cabin as long as I get to Heathrow early enough before my outward flight...touch!

I have been a bit slow off the mark and did not realise that I could select and reserve my flight seats on American Airlines website. The best ones have gone but I have managed to get aisle seats on both inward and outward London-Dallas flights. I am not bothered about the connecting flight as it is only a few hours long and, by not booking seats now, stand a good chance of getting one of the better seats currently requiring a £69 premium. To get this service you need to sign up with both Checkmytrip.com and AAAdvantage.com. I wish I'd known sooner but at least I can now check in online - another good reason to sign up to these two sites.

Two weeks to go!