I'm in LONDON!!!

I got here Friday afternoon & honestly can't believe I'm doing the back packing thing again - lugging all my stuff around... but what do you do ???

It was sad to say good bye to everyone in Stoke, I was lucky to meet some really awesome people but I'm sure we'll keep in touch :)

London's been great. I met up with Karl, John, Maz & Rhi Friday afternoon/evening. Then I quickly got to catch up with Kate who I'd posted some stuff over to, so now I have my boots! I'm so happy :)

Friday night we went out to Covent Garden, to a place called "Henry's", then yesterday we wandered about & did some sight seeing. Last night we went to a club near Picadilly Circus called "Eembassy". Bloody expensive!!! £7 for a drink - 1 drink & £15 to get in. Had a fantastic night though. Excellent music :)

I'm going to go to Wales with Rhi for a few days. John has come from Vienna & Rhi has invited both of us back to stay with her for a few days & she will take us to do a bit of sight seeing, which should be good.

I'll be back in London on Wednesday, so that gives me a bit of time before the 10th just to hang out & catch up with a few more friends. Oh, Friday night I got to
catch up with Helen & Tracey, who I met in the Middle East. It was so great to see Helen. She's back to the Middle East next week, so hope I get to see her again when I get back Wednesday!!!

Anyway, very, very, very, hung over at the moment!!! I HATE hotel check out times of 10am - They suck! ;)

Earls Court, London, England Sunday 28 Nov 10.37am

The rough plan...

No posts in ages then 2 with in the space of a hour!

Things are still as clear as mud but I'm getting there :)

26/11 - 28/11 Catch up with friends in London
29/11 - 0‏2/12 London, sight see & catch up with more friends :D
03/12 – 05/12 West England 3 day tour
‏05/12 – 10/12 ????
11/12 – 02/01 ‏European 23 day Tour with Kumuka
02/01 overnight it to Ireland even though I'm going to be buggered
03/01 – 05/01 Northern Ireland 3day tour…
06/01 meet up with a friend that I met in the Middle East, in Dublin???
07/01 – 09/01 Western Ireland 3day tour…
10/01 – 15/01 Denmark?? Meet up with friends I met in Rio & a friend I met traveling in OZ?
17/01 – 23/01 Full Monty 7 day tour of England
24/01 – 04/02 ????? This actually gives me an extra week & a half… maybe I could do some independent travel after all & not do so many tours!!!! Hmmm, interesting… more to think ‏‏‏‏‏about…

07/02 – latest I can be back in Sydney…

None of this is set in stone. The only one I have to decide on pretty soon is the Kumuka tour… If I book before the 30th I'll get a 10% discount…

Tuesday 23rd November 2004 1.58am

I'm still alive! :D

Hope you haven't given up on me & are still reading! Basically I've just been busy working & trying to sort out "the grand plan" :)

Looks like I've changed my ideals & what I want out of life - sounds pretty profound right hehehe. Well basically I handed my notice in at work today & had Friday & Saturday off anyway to head down to London so looks like I'm going to go down there & not come back here.

Why you might ask have I handed my notice in at work. The other day I sat down & tried to figure out what I wanted & I've decided to come home & study. Just a bit of a side step... I've really loved traveling but I'm ready do something with myself. There's still so much more I want to see & do but it can wait.

I've decided to take on a Diploma of Remedial Massage. It starts early Feb so it looks like I'm coming home much sooner than expected. It's a 1 year course 9am till 5.30pm Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays. I just spoke to a course advisor, enrolled online & paid the no refund deposit - so looks like I'm doing it!!!!! Fingers crossed for me guys. Those of you in Sydney I expect to see the biggest & I mean BIGGEST party ever when I get home. I can't tell you how excited I am because I'm going to be seeing everyone soon! Yes, I know even though I'm slack at keeping in touch. Oh & Claire, so sorry I haven't emailed you! I keep meaning to...

I only really decided all of this yesterday, well the course I've been thinking about for a week or so but yesterday was decision day so now I've got to plan all the traveling I want to do, let alone fit it all into 8 weeks... Once I know the plan I'll post it.

Sorry I haven't been posting! Honestly, there's been nothing of intrest to write about, that's all about to change though :)

xoxox

Hanley, Stoke-On-Trent, England, Tuesday 23rd November 12.52am

I got out of Hanley!!

Just a quick post :D

Yesterday (sorry, Sunday) afternoon I jumpped on a trian, went to Manchester & caught up with Nat (who I met when I was traveling in oz). It was so good to see her!!!!

That's all for now.

same place as last time, 9th November 2004 12.23am

Thought I'd lost the bug...

To my relief I've finally started planning again. For a while there I just couldn't be bothered. I think I've sussed out Scotland, Ireland & England. I've realised that in order for me to get home in April I have to try & get in as much as possible. I've got till Christmas here in the Midlands then only 3 months till my ticket expires form then (April). The easiest way to do this is on tours... I've decided no more long tours, I think I'd go insane so have looked at a combination of little tours...

The plan thus far - 3day tour of Scotland, I can always go back for more if I actually make it back over here, plus I'm looking at going end of Dec, beginning of Jan so it's going to be bloody freezing. Combination of 2 x 3day tours in Ireland if the dates work out & last but not least 1 x 7 day tour & 1 x 3 day tour of England & I pretty much think that leaves me to see Europe. The plan of attack is still been mulled over. I am hoping to meet up with Eve in mid March in Bangkok, which would be awesome! So that leaves me approx 1 & a half months in Europe. All I want at the moment is a taste.

I haven't decided yet if I'll keep traveling once I get home or not. Two of my best friends a pregnant & are due round May/June, my ticket runs out in April & I've decided I do want to come home for a bit of a break so it looks like I might stick round for 3 or 4 months then maybe back over here (UK) to get a 'proper' job so I can save some serious money then experience India, Siberia & Asia on the way home... My working visa, for the UK, runs out in May 06... Who knows!

Anyway got to get ready for work, at least I'm planning again!! Yay!

Hanley, England, Wednesday 3rd November 10.15am