I had lost all interest in graduation by the time we reached the fifth day of the proceedings, so I retreated to my office to get on with some (real) work. However, when I spotted my Thai student outside struggling to walk in her national costume of tight white satin robe and enormous lemon yellow silk conical headdress, I saw the opportunity for a great photograph.

I ran downstairs and across the street to the graduation hall. There in the foyer, several people were helping the student to steady the ludicrous six feet high hat on the student’s head. I hoped to snap a photo and leave, but felt obliged to stay until the student managed to enter the hall to be awarded her degree. While waiting, I suggested a bike ride on our three-person tandem (trandem) and a picnic to celebrate her success.

The next day the Thai student looked horrified when TPR and I turned up at her flat with the trandem and a rucksack of goodies for lunch. She had, however, obviously prepared for a day out and was already dressed in her T shirt and shorts.

We had only ridden a short way up a hill when I asked to stop to change into lighter clothes. In the time that it took for us all to dismount and for me to put on a pair of shorts, the Thai student had grabbed the bike and sped back downhill again to her flat. When we reached her on foot, we found two of her friends comforting her.

This threesome had expected a loan of our bike – with picnic provided free of charge – for a day out together on their own. They believed that we had just attempted to kidnap the Thai student for the day. Added to this, they accused me of being personally responsible for the current conflict in Gaza.

We magnanimously handed over the trandem and gave up the picnic – although I did ‘steal’ a couple of chocolate truffles before we left the Thai student and her two friends for their day of threesome fun.