One day at a time

Felt a little worn out this morning, but picked up after having a shower and breakfast. Spent the day with Graham and one of his new friends. We went to Winsdor Castle, which was very impressive. Then came back and picked up my stuff to move to Richard's place for the last few days. Sad to be leaving Shaun's, I'm very comfortable there, but Richard has a very nice place too. Graham and I had dinner with Richard.

At a bit of a loose end these few days, I hope to meet Tony, but I some how doubt that will happen, but I have kept Tuesday free just in case. I went into town, I walked up to Leytonstone tube station, and walked over the bridge from St Paul's to the Tate Mondern. The slide installation there is very popular. Met up with Graham in the evening, and just went for a meal, instead of a show.

The big thing about today was that Shaun and I went to a club in the early hours of Sunday morning. I enjoyed the club, although nothing happened, a few glances were exchanged but that was it! I spent a good part of the evening dancing.

Another grey damp day, this time I went to the British Museum. This museum was amazing too, they don't build them like this any more. Took a while to find it, there aren't any Tube stations close by and this museum was a lot busier than the V&A. I went round the Eygptian and Greek parts of the museum, including the Elgin Marbles. Used my new phone to take some pictures, I remember the days were people weren't allow to take pictures in museums! I had a chat with Tony, who maybe free on Tuesday - sounds like it might be a busy day for me. Got back in time to have dinner, before going out to the cinema in Clapham. Saw a movie about live in the old Eastern Germany, which was very interesting and sad too in places. We finished the evening in a spanish tapas bar, talking about life in Germany.

This time I had a reason for not going out early, I wasn't very well again. At least the head cold is on the way out, now I just left with a red sore nose. Finally left the flat and went to the Victoria & Albert Museum, it is quite amazing the range and size of the exhibits that they have there. I wandered round the Kylie Exhibition, much of which I had seen previously, but there was a new section on her recent tour and the DVD from Melbourne looks great. I bought Craig a small souvenir from there. On the way back, I stopped off in Clapham and at the Woolworths there, they had the phone I was after, so I bought it! I left it to charge and went out to dinner with Charles, he's looks in good shape, even with all his problems and we had a very nice meal (with a little too much wine) and a good chat.

British Museum - Marbles Originally uploaded by PD Blog Pics . One of the greek marble statutes "given" to the Britiah Museum

Britiah Museum - Great Hall Originally uploaded by PD Blog Pics .

Today was a serious shopping day along Oxford Street. Bought my friend a DAB clock radio and he was delighted with it, was playing with it moments after I gave it to him. I was sort of expecting to have dinner with him in the flat, but he came back later than planned. Didn't manage to find the phone that I saw in Kingston, but did discover that they don't appear to be many Woolworths in London.

Being very lazy in the mornings, although for me, today was a relatively early start. I was out of the flat before 10am so that I could get to a mate's place by 11.30. Didn't quite make it, but I wasn't far off. Spend a few hours with him, eating drinking and chatting about what's been going on in our lives. He and his partner had got "married", even though they don't live together. I came back into the city and spent a little while on the internet, before coming back to get ready for the evening out. We went to the Royal Vauxhall Taven for a comedy night, which overall was very enjoyable.

Kingston - Guildhall Originally uploaded by PD Blog Pics . The building in the foreground is the Guildhall in Kinston, the home of the Kingston Upon Thames council and the modern building in the background is Guildhall 2, where I used to work.

Got up late, was feeling the effects of the cold. The morning consisted of shopping here in Balham, getting more cold remedies and groceries. Finally made a move out of the flat after noon and made my way to Kingston. The centre of Kingston hasn't changed much in the years I have been away, even the shops are in the same locations. The trip did give me some ideas of things that I would like to buy. The weather has changed, far more wintery, with hail and snow in the rain today. It wasn't very nice, but thankfully for most of the time I have managed to avoid it. Met my friends in Rupert Street for a few drinks and later we went for a meal, but couldn't find the restaurant that we had first thought of, although the alternative turned out to be ok.

I have got a raging head cold, my nose won't stop running. Although apart from that I feel ok. Went out with a friend, trying out the gift I bought him, I think I can understand why Sony have dropped this product, it's not as good as mine back in Australia. It was Mother's Day here, so I called my parents to see how they were. I haven't mentioned about going to see them again, as I have not decided when I am going to do that. Went for a drive and then had lunch, before going back to his place. Didn't do much in the evening, on his computer and watched a little TV. There had been some talk of going to the pub, but with my cold I didn't really feel up to it.

Brighton - 17 March Originally uploaded by PD Blog Pics . Spent a day in Brighton

Took today very easy, spent most of the day in the flat; washing clothes, cleaning up and sorting out what I was going to take to Brighton. Went into town briefly, just mainly to use up the credit at EasyInternet. I tried to use it productively by checking my various bank accounts. Caught up with Graham at Victoria Station, a bit of fun and games getting the tickets, the machine won't accept my card, but got the ticket on the third attempt. It turned out that the hotel wasn't the hotel Graham thought he had booked, but I thought it was the triple room was very nice. Finally the rest of the guys turned up and we headed out. I drank too much too quickly and had to call it a night before the rest of the guys, but at least I got to enjoy the meal with them all before hand.

We went round the Brighton Pravillon, which it has some frankly amazing rooms. After wandering around for hours, we finally found somewhere to have lunch. It was ok, but again expensive for what we got. The group split up in the afternoon, one half went shopping and my half made its way to one of the gay bars for a drink and a rest. We caught up with the other group at the station and I travelled back with the guys going to London Bridge.Shaun bet me back to the flat, as he had got the train to Victoria. The rest of the evening was just relaxing in front of the TV.

London Eye Originally uploaded by PD Blog Pics . Taken from the Hungerford foot bridge

Spring Flowers Originally uploaded by PD Blog Pics . Picture taken in St James Park, near Buckingham Palace

Greenwich Originally uploaded by PD Blog Pics .

Did the usual in the morning, went online here and in the city. I chatted briefly with Scott, who was about to get "married" to Paul before flying off on their honeymoon. Finally spoke to Steve in Nottingham and had a brief chat about his trip and possibly catching up if I go up later in the month. I have order some flowers for my mother to hopefully be delivered on Friday and I am thinking that I might go up during the week. I went to Kensington Palace and enjoyed wandering around there for a hour or so. Looking at formal rooms as well as dresses belonging to the late Princes of Wales. I was in a hurry to meet my mate, but he was delayed at work and then had to rope my father in to the evening to get the cheap cinema tickets. I enjoyed the movie - well acted, but didn't feel any sympathy for either of the leads. Went to an italian restaurant afterwards and although I enjoyed the meal, it was expensive for what I get.

I have the place to myself for the next couple of days. Didn't rush out this morning, did a load of washing and tried to load some pictures on my blog, but with little success. I had a nice time on the cruise down the Thames, it was very sunny, so I'm surprised that I haven't got sun burnt. I took lots of pictures, but didn't return by boat. I planned to pick it up at Tower Hill, but the DLR didn't go there, so I just took the underground instead. I was surprised that I could get the whole return journey to the city without passing through a ticket barrier once!! Ate too much agin this evening, but I can't pass up a bargain.

The big day for parents, their sixtieth wedding anniversary. My mother was really surprised to receive a message from the Queen and I was very impressed by what they send out - it came special delivery and with the Queen's picture on the front of the card. They got a call from my aunt in Australia, wishing them well for the day and then Dad sent text messages to my cousins, thanking them for they card and present. I drove them down to the function and we were there for over 5 hours, chatting to family and friends. By the end of the day, they had received 18 cards and three bunches of flowers.

Slept in for the first time on this trip. Got my Oyster card, with a 7 day travelcard on it and added some money to the card later, when I registered it online. Spent the rest of the morning on the internet, sending messages and giving guys my mobile number. Went and sat in St James Park for lunch, as it was a very nice day. I found DVDs of Rosemary & Thyme in HMV, but the whole set will set me back £99, which is a little steep. I order some flowers and chocolates for my mother, as it is Mother's Day on this Sunday. I was looking at going up for the day, but it's after looking at the options, I decided I better to go on a week day nearer to the time I go back. Came back to pick up the video camera and had to rush back out to get to the London Eye in time for my flight. It has been a very nice day and the sun was bright over Buckingham Palace in the video. I took about 20 minutes worth of video and I will put that together when I get back home. Bought some food on the wa...

I took the car back this morning and that went smoothly, after filling it up on the way there. I took the train from Beeston, the tram from the station and finally the bus home. Major disaster as far as my camera goes, I have lost all the pictures that I took yesterday, when the camera froze while taking pictures around Nottingham. I am well pissed off, I think that I had some really nice pictures. As a result, I have got a new camera to make sure that doesn't happen again. We're going to one sister's tomorrow evening and the other's on Sunday, somewhere for lunch. Although these plans have caused some anixous moments, but they seemed happy when I spoke to them. Been feeling down about something, I think that it's the cameras, first losing the pictures from yesterday and then finding out that my new one isn't as wonderful as I first hoped. I hope that I improve, but as Monday approaches I will probably feel worse.

Went shopping this moring to get some money out and pick up some odds and ends. I bought a Will Young CD and a case for my new camera, which it thankfully fits. Went to a local pub for Sunday lunch with one sister and her family, we were the first to reach the pub. Felt a bit uncomfortable sitting there waiting, but it wasn't long before the rest came along. It turned out to be a really nice afternoon, chatting and eating together. The food was food and the wine cheap.

I packed the last few things in the bag and decided to take the jacket back with me. Spent the morning with my parents. Got a cab from home to the train and got the station with planety of time. The service only stopped at Leicester on the way, so it was reasonably quick. I wanted to relax for a bit when I got to London, but it wasn't long before I was out again going to my mate's for dinner. He seemed to really like the present I had got him. Two more friends joined us for dinner, which was very good.

Went over to my sister's this morning and sorted out the arrangements for the weekend. One sister had felt left out by the other, but she seems to be over that now. Had fish & chips for lunch and then went into town, Friday had been a far better day to take pictures, but I had to make do with what I could. There was no sign of any DVD's of Rosemary & Thyme. Went to my elder sister's in the evening, although I'm not sure if it made much difference that we were there. Still it was a nice evening.

Used the GPS again this morning to got to another retail park and then over to my sister's afterwards. It still amazes me when I see people that have no idea what they are doing on the internet. Certainly, something that should be so have been straight forward, seemed to puzzle my sister. She was looking up the family from the 1901 census. We both went to our parent's for dinner, which was nice to have a family dinner and I enjoyed the desert alot. We chatted about our family history, but it was like there were two conversations going on - one with each parent, I think that Mum's hearing was probably at least partly to blame. I took my sister home and then went shopping at on the way back. I was hoping that I would bump into someone I knew from school, but that would be from over 20 years ago. I put the GPS back in the box and wrapped it, as well as wrote the card for my parent's anniversary. Finished the night watching TV with my parents, although I despair sometimes a...

This morning I drove down to the local retail park and had a look around at a couple of the shops there. I had forgotten how expensive clothing is in this country, especially compared to what I am used to paying in Australia. Afterwards I took the car for a drive down to Southall and though I had forgotten the route that I used to take, I got there and back with only one moment of panic. Went to town to meet Pauline in the afternoon and we arranged for a announcement to appear in the Evening Post for Mum & Dad's anniversary (except I need to let her know that they don't have the Post any longer). I went shopping crazy and bought a pair of shirts, a jacket and a GPS (!!). I figure that I can use it for a while here and then give it to a friend as a present - I don't think I have given him a present, so it makes some kind of logic. Actually used it to find the Old Ship this evening and it was obvious that we didn't need a reservation for this evening. I think Mum ...

Felt a bit rough this morning, still not feeling 100% after to trip over here, stiff neck, but I hope that's going to get better with time. Had breakfast before setting off to home. The train from St Pancas was one of Midland Mainline's new ones and not that well designed for people travelling with luggage. Had dinner with parents. I think a mate tried to call me in the evening, but my voicemail wasn't running so he couldn't leave a message. Disappointing that I won't get to meet him, but he could have arrange something earlier.

Woke up at 5am, but I hope that I will be able to wake up later as I get use to the time difference. Rang Buster in Australia and let her know that I arrived. Went shopping in Balham and sorting out what I am taking to home. Had dinner with friends in a Sri Lankin restaurant and I paid. Ended up in a bar in Balham for a drink, I was well on my way to being drunk after only half a bottle of wine and a half a pint of lager.

My Dad came along when went to pick up the hire car this morning. Took a taxi over there and after filling in lots of paperwork, drove away in a not so new Vauxhall Astra. My Dad's a terrible passenger, very nervous. We stopped off at my sister's on the way back, although her dog wasn't that happy to see me. After lunch, I went over to my other sister's while Mum & Dad went out. Had a long and interesting chat with her, apparently my parents aren't telling me everything that happens here and I guess they do it to stop me worrying about things. Booked to go to the Old Ship Inn tomorrow night for dinne. Went to Tesco's to pick up dinner, Mum was getting confused by the instructions on the packages, which does support the feeling that she is being to forget things.

Spent the morning in the office. The trip to the airport took over a hour, the citylink was closed and the western highway slow moving. Had a nice evening in Brisbane, but a restless night in the hotel.

The flight from Taipei to London was very long and very tying, even with the better seats that the Elite class offers. I didn't manage to get any sleep on the flight and even with the sleep over in Taipei, I was exhausted by the time I got to London. I didn't sleep that well in the hotel and got up early. Thankfully, my friends met me at Paddington and I had time to grab some food from Burger King, before they arrived.

Transfer took longer than expected, but arrived way before the checkins were open for the flight. Managed to get a emergency exit seat on the flight to Taipei. The flight went smoothly all though boring. The transfer at Taipei was a bit confusing but found the transit hotel. Simple but confortable, I got a voucher for food, but just going to go to bed. They held my passport momentarily, but got it back quickly. I'm still in the airport, so I doubt that I can leave here.