> I'm sure anyone reading this would feel concerned about the problems you kept having with the military.

Things can sometimes work the other way around. Some years ago I visited Meidum during a period of heightened security due to terrorist activities. An armed guard, rifle in hand, stood on top of Mastatba 17 next to the pyramid and I was the only visitor in the area.

After going inside the pyramid I went to walk to the Eastern side to visit the causeway and small chapel. An armed guard appeared and walked towards me. I thought he was going to stop me but, instead, he indicated for me to continue and then walked behind me. Subsequently he also followed me as I walked to the Mastaba Field in an attempt to identify the position of Mastaba 6 where the famous painted statues of Rahotep and Nofret were discovered and Mastaba 16 original home of the “Meidum Geese”.

So I had me own personal bodyguard who I later discovered spoke no English but who grinned when I thanked him.