Greetings from London! (I was going to begin with 'I'm in London Still' but I thought some of you might complain about gratuitous use of song titles in my posting.)
I arrived in London at midday on Monday. Getting here was quite a trial, what with traffic jams, overdosing on travel sickness pills (I didn't throw up, but it didn't feel pleasant) and slow baggage handlers. I met Tony at the hotel. We were both heavily jetlagged (yes, I know its only a 9 hour flight, but I did 2 days of living to only a few hours of sporadic sleep) so we didn't do an awful lot on Monday. Tuesday has been much more active We've already seen a lot in London: the London Eye, National Art Gallery and the world famous Star Wars Exhibition.
My last few days in Canada were great. After some intense retail therapy on Friday (my pack has suddenly increased from 8 to 13kg), Mum and Dad arrived on Friday night. We spent the weekend checking out the city and eating. On Sunday morning, Mark and I walked up the Grouse Grind, while Mum and Dad took the gondola to the top. They don't call it Grind for nothing - think of the most intense stair master you've ever encountered, then add rocks, dirt and roots, and you've got the Grouse Grind. We made it to the top in an hour and 10 minutes (Mark would have done it in 50 minutes if I hadn't slowed him down). It was quite an effort, but at least now I can say I've done it. Plus, I got a cool tshirt saying 'Grouse Grind: I survived'. Excellent.
I can thoroughly recommend Canada as a destination. It's got lovely scenery, and lovely people (just as long as you walk on the right). It's a really great place to travel.
Tony and I have a month in the UK and Ireland. We've got a few days in London before we head out to Bath, hire a car and drive through England, Wales and Scotland. More later...
.
