Friday in Edinburgh. Cold and wet today, true Scottish weather. Might have a big night out on the town tonight before heading back to London tomorrow. Then it's off to Spain Monday..

Sticksy started working at a nearby pub the other night. Quiet and small place. Went down for a few pints to see how he was going. One drink turned into several, with myself and Jo on the drinking side of the bar and Sticks and Soph on the working side. Good night....

There's a 36 hole, par 3 golf course out the front door and right across the street from where I'm staying. Just had a quick 18 holes with Croughy and won by 3 shots. Not bad for my first round here, scoring 6 over par. Croughy demands a rematch tomorrow night......

It's relax time at the moment. Chilling out doing nothing during the day, sleeping in till I want and then merely walking round town or kicking back in front of the tele. Guess it's the calm before the storm 'cause Spain is going to be massive. Need to watch what I spend to.....

The people here that I've met so far have been great, the weather's been great, as has my ability to shed some of this beer gut with the constant exercise of walking... It's all great!

Still in Edinburgh, love it here. Maybe a few more days in Scotland I think. Jimeon was good last night, ran into the guy in the toilets just before the performance. "Jimeon, How are ya mate?!!!".. Meeting famous people in the dunnies is rather funny. Last time that happened it was Mick Molloy at a Bar Called Barry. Ended up at a few pubs afterwards again. The Three sisters is a pretty happening place. Home around 3?? I think? Passed out again on the couch whilst Sticksy in his typical "where the hell am I?" state of drunkeness fell alseep on the floor after giving himself a wedgie!

Walked to the top of the world today. Arthur's seat overlooks the city in all its beauty. Sticksy lead me the hard way up, a steep climb that had me struggling at one stage. Worth the effort... Took the easy option down, the one most people take.

The Edinburgh festival is on at the moment. The place is a buzz, masses of people walking the streets admist the theatre, comedy and street performance. The Military Tattoo one of the main events, with large amounts of seating constructed at the base of the castle. Have spent the last few days, sometimes in the sun, sometimes under the cloud taking it all in, walking the Royal Mile in the old town. Days have been made up of seeing whats around, finding my place and watching numerous performances. The melloncollie of Bagpipes fill the air, the beating of drums rumble along the stone streets, a clash of culture, performance and ideas strung together to produce something great. Have tickets to see Jimeon tonight with Sticksy, Suze and Elicia.

It was a big night last night, most of ther crew from Sticksy's place as well as other friends and whatever headed to a brewery for a night out of drinking and traditional Scotish dancing. Loads of fun with a great crew. My dancing skills weren't up to scratch to begin with but by the end of the night myself and Croughy we're cutting up the dance floor and had people watching us in awe!!

Ended up at some overly crowded Irish Pub (Is there anywhere in the world where these things don't exist?) for a few more afterwards then we walked home. Fell alseep on the couch.

The new U2 single has made it's way into the world. Great Chorus!

Electrical Storm
The sea is swells like a sore head
and the night it is aching
Two lovers lie with no sheets on their bed
and the day it is breaking

On rainy days we go swimming out
on rainy days, swimming in the sound
On rainy days we go swimming out

You're in my mind all of the time
I know that's not enough
if the sky can crack
there must be some way back
for love and only love

Car alarm won't let you back to sleep
you kept awake dreaming some else's dream
coffee is cold, but it will get you through
compromise, there's nothing new to you
let's see colours that have never been seen
let's go to places no one else has been

You're in my mind all of the time
I know that's not enough
if the sky can crack
there must be some way back
to love and only love

Electrical Storm
Baby don't cry

It's hot as hell, honey in this room
sure hope the weather will break soon
the air is heavy, heavy as a truck
hope the rain will wash away our bad luck

If the sky can crack, there must be some way back
for love and only love

Electrical Storm
Baby don't cry

Edinburgh....... An amazing city with an ancient medievial type feel. Staying with Sticksy and Croughy and it's good to see 'em again. Just went and checked out the castle, very beautiful.

Caught a band called the Doves last night! Was another of those moments where, for a short time, everything seemed so perfect. Great Gig! Love how music can do that!

Another few days in another great city..... Glasgow is made up of streets lined with shopping malls. George Square is one of the main centres in town. A Piazza type thing containing statues and momuments that reminds me of Italy a little. Surrounded by old architecture it's rather nice.. Just did a bus tour around town for £7.

One of the best things I find about traveling is the people you meet and the friends you make. It's easy to do. Is it because we're all on a common experience, away from home. The hard part though is that sooner or later everyone moves on, goin their own way. It just happens. Some people you'll keep in touch with, others you won't. I guess that's the hard part, knowing that alot of freindships here last only a moment.

Yesterday... Woke up in London in a 5 bed dorm all to myself. Good sleep. Walked around town for a while. The Strand, Trafalgar Sqaure, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Covent Graden and the big fucking blister on the base of my right foot got worse. There are always street entertainers and such in Covent Graden. There was one guy who was rather good, his main act simply riding his tall unicycle. Sat down in front of the Punch 'n' Judy's pub and watched him entertain the masses. Had a Crownie whilst reading TNT at the Walkabout Inn after that. Very relaxing.

Got my bags, walked to Kings Cross, tubed it to Liverpool St and expressed it to Stansted Airport..... Ryan Air flight FR415 to Glasgow, Scotland. The scenery as I flew in was breathtaking. Forty Five minute train to Central Station, walked to the Hostel and checked in. I arrived to meet a couple of Belguim Lads in my room. Went and Got KFC then walked round town for ages looking for a decent place for a beer. Firstly some little bar club in town then as everything closed at midnight we made it to the Walkabout. Only place that was open. Bought 'em some Aussie beer but they weren't to impressed.. Fell asleep in Glasgow.

So here I am, in a country where all the guys sound like Groundskeeper Willie and the chicks like Shirley Manson. Ya gotta love that!!!

Late Tuesday morning in London. It's time to get out of here for a little while. London sucks your wallet dry. I've spent the last 5 nights at the Generator Hostel which has been a lot of fun, met some great people and had some big nights. A little 5 bed dorm on the second floor that overlooked the main entrance to the hostel. It was a bit noisy at night but that didn't matter. You became a part of the noise anyway. The bar downstairs was great, the £3 sweet and sour chicken from the hostel kitchen last night almost as good.. Having the whole 5 bed dorm to myself last night ensured an early night and a good rest which was much needed after the others left yesterday. Now i've booked with Ryan Air to fly out to Glasgow, Scotland tonight. Will find another hostel there and stay for a few nights, then onto Edinburgh to stay with Sticksy over the weekend. I'm now kinda filling in time before Spain on Sept 2 which is something I'm looking forward to immensly. But Scotland is a place I've never seen so I'm sure it'll be worthwhile. I soooooo hope my money lasts another 4 weeks.............

You meet lots of people when travelling. It comes easy. Perhaps because everyone is like yourself, away from home and their own little comfort zones. You can't go into a bar or whatever at home and start talking to someone and/or end up hanging out with 'em like you can here. Conversation comes easy...

Feeling sore, tired but happy. The Sunday hangover has set in. Patsy came in on Friday for just one night in London. Renata came over from Guildford and Nat got in touch. We all met up at the London Pub and proceeded to get rather wasted. As you do. It was strange. Four friends from Melbourne at the end of the world together............. There were others as well.. Nat's brother Gab, some friends, Renata's friends and some of the girls from my Hostel. Went to Leicester Square and clubbed it at the Equanox..... Home late. Bus tour all day yesterday in the sun and more drinks with Renata and crew at O'Niels last night. Daniel went home last night, don't think he was really ready to.

Now I have decisions, I've booked a Contiki of Spain in two weeks. In the meantime I can either go see Sticksy in Edinburgh for a while or go over and travel with Nat and Gab on the continent for a little bit. Money dissapears quick. My ideas are big, my wallet limited......

I glad i came back. Summer in London is a pretty amazing thing......

Now find myself at the Generator Hostel in Russel Square. Arrived yesterday and sharing a dorm with an american, a canadian, a spaniard and a french person. Went to Covent Graden last night for a little pub crawl with Karin and Larisa , then ended up back at the hostel bar for a few more drinks and Karaoke. Pretty big night. Place here is pretty cool, lots of young travellers. Think I'll spend a few days here before going down to Spain or up to Edinburgh. I'm sleep deprived......

Achill, although a very beautiful part of the world, was in general quiet and isolated. Not that that's a bad thing. Our last few days were spent getting tours of the island (The Atlantic drive is breathtaking) and drinking at thePubs at night. Now I'm in the easy internet cafe near Trafalgar Square in London and happy to be here. It feels different to when I was here last January. Summer changes the mood. People everywhere and it's pretty darn warm... Stayed at the Royal National hotel last night after spending countless hours in cars, on buses, airplanes and waiting in transit. Went for a walk in around Convent Garden last night after I got in, the place was packed with people relaxing in cafes, pubs ort just sitting down on the street knocking back some beers. It's an awesome atmosphere. Nato should arrive today, Patsy tomorrow. Plan to have a big few days. Also thinking of doing Contiki or Busabout around the continent for a few weeks. Living in Hotels,Hostelsat the moment so maybe a good way to spend my time.. Why not eh?

I'm to tired to think now, but I'll give it a go. The best way to describe the wedding was shall we say, Massive. The service was nice, in a smallish church here on the island. The reception at a new place called Alice's just before you cross over into Achill. With some 300+ people in attendance it was a massive day. The meal was great, the speaches also. But it wasn't till later on that things really kicked off. Once the room had been cleared of tables and the band set up people really got into it. I've been to a few weddings before but this was definately the best. Along with the normal drunkin dancing, there was alot of traditional Irish dancing as well.Then at conclusion of the main reception there was as a full bagpipe and drum thingy that had everyone standing around cheering it on. I had to much to drink, as we left the front bar at around 5am, went down the beach as the sun came up then finally stumbled into bed.

Another thing I find here is the sense of community between family. You don't just go out and get sloshed with your mates, you get sloshed with your family, your parents, grandparents, whatever. Last night we went to a few pubs, the Minaun is nice pub and is full of Republicans. Lots of Sinn Fein posters everywhere. Left the at 1 as I jumped on the minibus to go to the Achill Head with everyone else. I thought my night would end as we left there at 3am but a few of us got a lift back and ended up at one of the houses, drinking whiskey, vodka, beer and Cider. Nigel one of the Irish guys here pulled out his left handed guitar and about 10 of us sat roud the kitchen singing songs.... Not one person was sober......

In Achill Island now. My bags arrived at around 8:30am, after 2 days AWOL! Got the bus over here, going via Gallway and am now staying with Dan and Gab's and their family. There's a bunch of houses all very close by all occupied by different family members. White houses scattered amongst the hills and the ocean. Proper Irish people void of the tourist onslaught that's associated with Dublin. We're the only aussies. It's much quieter here but the Serentity is next to none... Steve's Wedding tomorrow... The Irish like to drink. The next few days are going to be great!

Back in Dublin after arriving here at around 8am yesterday morning. Two stops in Singapore and London, the later had me running a marothon in record time in order to change terminals and make my connecting flight... Arrived in Dublin to find my baggage never turned up so have been spending the last day filling out lostbaggage forms, making calls and chasing the bastard up... Apparently it ended up at Gatwick airport, so should be here tonight which means spending an extra night in Dublin than planned..... Starting to get smelly due to lack of fresh clothes.. Had to buy some new undies this morning. Health and saftey issue there....

Spent Yesterday checkin out town for a while then proceeded to head to a pub in Temple Bar (Oliver Gogarty's) for a pint of the local brew. One pint turned into numerous as i met a couple of guys from Belguim and proceeded to drink with them... Might to a bus tour this arvo. Headin over to Achill island tomorrow to meet up with the Patsy's.

I love this city. The atmosphere, the people the vibe.....

It's been a while since I posted I know. I guess i've been a) to busy b) to lazy or c) to carefree to even bother. Last few weeks have had their fair share of events. Nights out in town that have eventuated in the Casino at 3am playing roulette. Also a big night out at Bridey O'Reileys in Chapel St for Gab's farewell. Was all hapening last Saturday night at the first floor bar in Brunswick St. Staying sober is actually quite easy and amuzing when you see freinds make clowns of themselves.

Working for the family business, but guess what, I've finished up now. For on Monday I leave for La Dubilin. Woohoooooo

Today I received a call from Marcus. Needed someone to do stage lighting for tonight's gigs at the Evelyn. Jack Jones, of Southern Sons fame has a new band. They were on first and already had someone doing their lighting but was a good starter for me to take notes. So yeah, next two bands I took up posi behind the lighting desk and tried to figure out what the fuck I was doing. By the time the final band came on I started to make it work. I wasn't a master at it by a long stretch but i kinda knew what I was doing. Plus now i can say I've done lighting for some high profile Aussie Muso's. The Persian Rugs are made of of some ex-members of The Hoodoo Guru's including, Dave Faulkner, their lead singer.....