So just who did leave a small blue sperm whale on the grave of Douglas Adams? That’s what I want to know. It was a lovely tribute to one of Britain’s top comic writers of his generation.

I was at Highgate Cemetery to while away a beautiful summer’s day, having been granted a place on the tour of the Western section. Only accessible on a guided tour, it makes for an interesting afternoon amongst one of London’s more unusual green spaces. Not as infamous as the Paris equivalent Pere Lachaise, where a guard is employed to mind Jim Morrisons grave to stop vandals removing parts of it, or on past occasions getting - er - a little frisky on the monument.

The trip up to London was actually needed to file for my Cambodian Visa application. On a later train than I would have liked due to the need to travel on off peak travel, I did wonder if I had enough time to get to the front of the queue at the embassy and get the issue resolved.

Oddly this tiny space of Khmer territory is situated in the heart of Willesden Green, not where you would imagine an embassy to be at all. Contained in what you would expect to be a large family residence, the only thing distinguishing it are a large Cambodian flag and plaque. I was greeted at the gate by a pleasant lady who invited me in and took my documentation. My fears of a large wait in a chaotic reception were unfounded, I was the only one there. Sitting reading a magazine on Cambodian investment I was advised all was in order but the visa and my passport would be sent on later. Offered a chocolate and given a souvenir (key ring) it just did not feel like my idea of an embassy visit. I will need to go to Phnom Penh later in my visit to get it extended to a multiple entry six month document... I bet I don’t get chocolate there.

Next stop my answer to real intense shopping. Stanfords! Containing nearly every travel book issued, along with traveller essentials and all manner of other stuff I do not need but wish I had. I can spend hours in the place and managed to restrict spending to £35. I had to leave behind a fabulous 3D map of Siem Reap costing a ludicrous £15 though, there are limits.

It is a shame I didn’t have time to return later this week to pick up the passport, I may just have continued back to Highgate to leave a souvenir of my own. Receipt from Bethselamin? (You may need to read the book)

John is listening to A Larum by Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit.