The bikes seem to be going ok. 

We had to mend a mudguard fender, re-pump the tyres since Hanoi and today re-oil my SPD pedals as they were sticking after all the corrosive days of wet weather riding. 

Everytime I tried to twist my foot out of the pedal I struggled with the effort and worried that  I might split the soles of my cycling shoes or trap the cleat in the pedal. I found a motor scooter repair shop and got some oil to lubricate both pedals and cleats and that, has for now, sorted the problem.