Was totally organised last night and packed my tiny rucksack, charged all my devices and even thought to backup my blackberry. Went to bed near 1am and couldn't sleep for hours. Was worried i'd sleep in and miss the train....and guess what! I only bloody reset the clock on my phone when i backed it up on the laptop...it went back to GMT and therefore i was a little surprised when dad came in waking mw up at 7am...when my alarm was about to go...to inform me that it was actually 8am. Good plans.... Got to the station in plenty of time as the train was leaving at 9am. I sat on the platform chatting away to dad and not once did it occur to me that maybe i should go buy a drink or some ... read more

Holiday with the parents and Sarah. The south of France ROCKS. The weather is so much warmer that the UK (not a surprise!). Staying at a Keycamp site, and the plan is to have a few day trips out and about and the rest of the time will be to catch up on tele and reading. All in preparation for the start of the PhD in Surrey. Excited and all but i doubt i'll get much time to read books once i start. ... read more

Ahhh the momentous occasion finally arrived. The baby of the family finally turned 18, although i'm sure she'd also like to point out that this in no way means she's a grown up...that will come when she comes of age at 25....19th century style. Nothing concrete had been set for today except to visit the theatre later that evening. My friend Anna had taken some annual leave so was free to show us the sights. She had it all planned out. So after a lazy start to the morning...i believe that Sarah was just as tired as I was, but for a different reason - teenagerism. Skipped breakfast and took the scenic walk into Edinburgh's centre, walking along the river. Well when i said that Anna had it all planned out...that might have been a tad ... read more

After a lot of confusion with trains and forgetfulness Sarah arrived at Gatwick Airport approximately 6pm to help me look around the shops for a dress. It had been agreed months before that a dress would be worn on her 18th birthday and yet I still could not find something to wear in all of London. Well first let me say...'Where have all the shops disappeared to!?' Many moons ago there were plenty and now there is a Tie Rack and Monsoon. After telling Sarah to get on the one train that did not stop at Gatwick Airport, and her leaving her wallet in her boyfriend's pocket we finally stopped for dinner at Frankie and Bennys. Now i was exhausted at this stage. I had been trying to get her birthday present sorted for the last ... read more

This will be the furtherst north I've been in the UK, apart frim a rugby tour to Blackpool in 2002. Looking forward to seeing plenty of greenery and to a relaxing week with the rugby girls (and boys), there are eight of us in total; Liz, Donna, Deb, Kerry, Matt, Jon and Elaine. Leaving from Hitchin and the journey takes just over 5 hours, not liking the idea of a long drive!! In the end the journey wasn't that bad, the roads at the end were extremly winding whixh didn't help with tje travel sickness. We all arrive at the cottage at the same time apart from Deb which was fortunate as the cottage was only booked for 7 people! The place is lovely, would recommend this place even thpigh its away from the main part ... read more

My lovely friend Kelly had a stop over in London for a couple of days and lucky for me she wanted to spend some her time with me. Kelly ROCKS!! I got to hang out with her in Kenya. We took the boat down the Thames to Greenwich and had a free history tour. Spend the evening having dinner in Soho with some of Kelly's old work friends. She also came down to my home town of Brighton! ... read more