Colombia sat next to Panama it was true, and it did not look too far. There must be regular buses plying the route? But no.

“Fancy cycling for a couple of weeks in Central America early next year?” my mate Nigel asked last autumn. I was only just back from seven weeks in France following England’s progress in the Rugby World Cup, but it didn’t take long to reply. “Sounds interesting. When exactly?” “Start of February,” he replied.