Hello to the Fast Friends and my friends back home!

Well, it's been about a week since I've sent an update, and I actually have some time between trains so I thought I'd fill you in on my trip.

London was FABULOUS!  Ok, maybe that wasn't the right word, but either way I had a really, really great time.  For those who are thinking of
traveling to London, I highly recommend the Earl's Court hostel.  It's not cheap (£19), but the atmosphere was great.  So great that an original trip of 1-2 days was extended to 4.  I just didn't want to leave.  I saw all the big sights; Big Ben, the Westminster Abby,
Piccadilly Circus, and the Tower of London.  If you ever visit and go to the Tower of London, make sure you follow one of the Beefeater's
around.  Ours was hilarious.  Stories of murder, torture, and other things that gives London that cheery air...sexy!  The only thing I didn't like about London was that pubs would close at 11pm.  A major adjustment, but it didn't really get in the way of a good time.  The corner stores served alcohol too, but like the pubs, they stopped selling at 11.  So before last call, you just make a run to the local store, grab a few drinks and head back to the hostel for our own party.  And to be honest I had more fun in the common room then at the pub.  Stories all night long until the only staff left told us they had to lock it up.  Then going to bed to find that someone else had already claimed it.  I'd mention some more memorable events, but apparently the beer has a greying affect on my memory (also causing me to tell the same stories again and again, right Danny?? :).  But all good things must come to an end so on Sunday night we all said our goodbye's, gathered whatever email addresses we hadn't gotten yet, and parted ways.  (This is the sad part of the story....well, it was, it's over now.  Did you cry?  No?  Your so heartless...).

Anyway in the morning I was off for a day in Cambridge.  I had thought it might be more then a day, but, well it was only a one day kind of
town for me.  They have some beautiful colleges, and...well...some very beautiful colleges.  Unfortunately after that, there's not really much
to see (unless you read Terry Pratchett.  See DiscWorld - AnkhMorporh, thanks to Julia for that one!).  We went for a punt in the afternoon.
To clarify: A punt is a kind of boat.  Kind of like a gondola.  I didn't know until I saw it (The guide book suggested going punting...I initially thought it was a very odd suggestion).  Anyway the day ended and I said goodbye to the friends that joined me for the day from London.  THEN, I spent a night in the Hostel from hell.  The majority of the hostel was ok, if not a bit dull, but one of the guys in my room just didn't seem to be able to sleep and had to thrash his legs up and down for about a minute every hour.  I'm not as deep a sleeper as I though.  Anyway in the morning I flew out of there off York...

I didn't really know what to expect from York.  I knew it was considered the capital of the North but that was it.  When I left the train station and saw an entire city enclosed by stone wall, well let's just say I was a bit surprised.  For those who think of visiting, it is a great city.  I really did enjoy myself.  Go on the Ghost Hunt.  There are many 'Ghost tours' in York, but that was my favorite...of two.  The other was the Ghost Trail.  It was funny, but the other one was better I think.  DO NOT go to the Viking Experience.  It isn't worth half the money I paid for it.  And I want to apologize to Marybeth AGAIN for dragging her along.  Sorry. (SB:  Apparently people in York aren't fond of you if you wear a Thor's hammer around your neck..something about a hanging.  I didn't stick around to find out).  Anyway I could tell you everything but then I won't have any stories left to tell when I get home.

Anyway to those who I left behind in Canada....HA HA!!  Teasing.  I hope you are having a great summer.  How's D.W.A.R.P. doing?  The Rough Riders?  The plans for the fast approaching weddings?

For the other travelers, I hope you travel save and have lots of fun and that I do get to meet up with you again.  I'm off to Dunfries (Scotland) then Glasgow, Inverness and Edinburough over the next week.  I don't know where I'll be when and in what order.  Anyone going to be
in the area?

Hope to hear back from you all soon.

Cheers,
David (York, England -> Dunfries Scotland)