Well sunny has not been the normal situation, in fact after i steped onto the dock from the ferry in Portsmouth the heavens promtly open and drench the landscape. The day had started with in the French town of San Marlo on the north coast of Britany. It was a wonderful sunny deparpture from France, and we were treated to a fabulous view of the walled city and the other towns along the coast as the ferry weaved its way around the rocks and lighthouses.

The day before the fortifications were even bigger at the Mont St Michele. Not content with exiling themselves to a small pointy rock, the monks of yesteryear decided to build a abby on top of a this really pointy rock. Unfortunately for the monks come builders, this entailed building two levels of building around the summit of the island before they had a large flat surface big enough for there elaborate designs.

Testiment to their efforts is the fact that this heavily defended island has never been defeated in a war.

My first destination in the UK was the Isle of Wight, and after Cat and John picked me up I enquired about the weather forcast. The reply was a laugh and "Your in Britian now, dont get too hopeful", and true to expectations, the rain mixed with grey skys has continued ever since...and I have been in London for two weeks.

Speaking of London, I have figured out that there are lots of things to do here, but they all fit into two catagories, earning money, and buy in large it seems like there are a lot of it to go round, and spending money, like there is no tomorrow. London is one of the biggest financial centers in the world, the amount of money spent here making the rest of the worlds money flow through here is staggering. Almost as staggering as the number of shops selling high end stuff, clothes, music, you name it you can buy it. I was in Harrods yesterday and in the golf department you can buy a "Harrods" Golf Cart for you and your 5 friends, after which I almost expected the equestian department on the fifth floor to have horses for sale.

If you are not into material items, there are many fine establishments selling alcolholic refreshments at high prices, and even more fine resturants, and although expensive, it does bring out the good times in every occasion, and yes I have had my fair share in the last few days....

And there is definitely the population to support such spending and finance, to experiance this first hand you just have to try and get on the underground during rush hour on a rainy and cold afternoon. The platform is crowded with people before the train arrives, which is already full of course. It Darwins theorey at its greatest, its push or get left behind for the next train. On a positive note, once your inside and the train is moving you dont have to hold on, and there is no danger of falling over...there is not enough room!

I did manage to be a tourist for a few days as well, and actually started to appreciate London like it should be. Of course the obiligitory sites such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Picadilly Circus were on the list, as well as th le less know such as the Themes barrier, Grenwich, and the now empty Millenium Dome. Also made time for the moving attractions of the London Eyelong and the tube rides, london taxis, and of course double decker busses. along with pubs, wine cellers, drinking and general hilarity.

Jasmine and Ryan, Jon, Alex and Amy (with Hogan the dog), respectiviley my sister her boyfriend, older and wiser cousin, and global Vancouver friends were the tour guides, and i made the best oppertunities to be the catalyst for beer and all other things nice...thanks to these guys, London was nothing but the classic London Party!

On my last saturday another couple of kiwis were in town, Neil and Tim Finn (Spit Enz and Crowded House fame) and a ticket was scalped and cousin Jon arranged for a nite not be forgotton...not a bad way to remember London really.