We're en route to our next exciting destination and currently in transit somewhere in the Middle East. We found a superb Osama entirely unexpectedly on the plane from Cairo - in the cockpit!! Our ears pricked up at the pre-flight announcement. It began with some Quranic recitation invoking God's blessing and protection on the passengers and journey and then introduced captain and crew - Osama was flying the plane!

With some precision schmoozing and persuasion I managed to meet the delightful First Officer Osama. He couldn't take part in the lovehearts malarkey 'cos of the rules of his job, but he did tell me what he loves: flying people safely to their destinations. There was a certain poignancy about this encounter. I wish I could have talked to him for longer.

I read an article today about Queen Rania of Jordan who is on a mission to break down negative stereotypes about Arabs and Muslims. I wonder what she'd think of our mission? Maybe I should get in touch with her and see! Let me know what you think.