Once again I was away from home on Xmas day. It's never the same but it was a brilliant day nonetheless. About 15 or so of us had lunch upstairs. A great meal of food and wine. The rest of the day seemed to go quickly and it got messy but it was sooo much fun.

Boxing day a few of us headed down to Richmond to check things out. Beuatiful down that way. Firstly lunch in Earls Court at Nando's. Then onto some circus in Richmond, Richmond Park at dusk and a few quiet ones at Roebecks. A cozy pub on Richmond Hill that overlooks South London.

Xmas Eve and again this time of year im in London. Just been walking around Piccadily, Regent Street taking photo's and blending into the crowd this afternoon. Working tonight at five. Tomorrow the pub's closed but we have a massive session planned with staff and friends. It feels like forever since I've shared this time of year with my family back home. Still London is a nice place to be now despite the absence of warmth and sun........

Am still a little tired from a big weekend. Lock in session Friday night, Liquid Blue after work Saturday (6am finish) and Rowan's leaving do on Sunday which was nice but somewhat mellow. Everyone was rather stuffed!

If anyone's actually reading this, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

INXS played at the Walakbout in Shephards Bush on Sunday. Lined for 20 mins to get in. It was a pub full of homesick Antibodeans happily singing at top volume to some amazing music. Jon Stevens a good substitute for the late Michael Hutchence. Managed to get right up front. Full band set with accoustic guitars.

Last nights gig was at London Arena. Bused it in from the Camel with about 20 others. Billy organised it all and managed to secure us front row tickets which had me rather excited. Up close to the band with Jon Stevens coming down and leaning over us in the crowd on a few occasions. Another great show, got some awesome pictures! Blondie (on afterwards) were fucking terrible, left half way through....

Work today at 5. Went for walk along the Stand before. Cold outside but the sun shining bright. There were alot of people Ice Skating out front of Somerset House. Xmas is a nice time here.....

It's cold here in London now and it's strange how it changes your mood. I'm still loving it but things seem more mellow, more surreal. The Christmas Tree is up in Trafalgar Sq, Oxford and Regent Streets are all lit up for the month. It' gets dark early but the bright city lights illuminate the way. It's nice to go for a walk along the river, covered in several layers of clothing, taking comfort in the cold.... Today I have the day off, spoke to home this morning, went for a walk along Borough High Street listening to some music that seemed to fit in with the mood, tubed it to Charing Cross, bought Christmas cards in the Strand and now im seeking warmth inside the Internet place.

We've been watching movies of late on the big screen up on the pub's second floor. With it being so quiet in the pub of late it's been possible to close off upstairs and have it for ourselves. Comfy couches, a big projection screen and a fireplace... Also found a great bar just around the corner last night. Csar Bar. It has a pool table, something you don't really see much of here. Spent a few hours knocking back Stella and playing a few friendly games with Mike, Heath and Chris.

A day off work in London. It's a good thing I tell ya. Still working at the pub in Tower Bridge where I spend almost all my time. They've become my new family in a way now. Living and working with these people has ensured that. Saturday night we had a big Christmas party on for First Contact (This company that basically helps travellers and whatever find their way when coming to London) The hostel above the pub is run by them. Place was closed to the public but full nonetheless. Even though we all had to work it was a great night. Bit pissed off though i was assigned to the main bar downstairs and therefore actually doing something resembling proper hard work. Those upstairs had merely a bottle bar to contend with and spent most time on the piss and hitting the dancefloor anyway. Still no compaints I guess. Great DJ and plenty of hot looking women to keep us excited. Every now and then I would take the piss and bolt upstairs to strut my stuff. I am the master at the Greece Megamix! Stayed on after close with all the staff for a lock in session. It got very messy, as we had a little bar tab to spend on ourselevs.. Making my own little concoctions behind the bar was great. Got very, very pissed,and as like always now at the camel, showed off my dancing abilities with some bartop dancing.

Sunday Session at the Walkabout in Sheps Bush yesterday, followed by some dodgy Chicken Tikka at this little Indian joint with a few of the lads i work with. Am planning on being here for Christmas, New Year and all that. What else?? Umm caught Moby last Thursday up at Wembley Arena. Rocked up there with some friends and payed £30 for a standing ticket off some scalper. Bloody good show. One thing about London is that even if a gig is sold out there are always plenty of scalpers on the night selling tickets for not much more than cost price. Gotan INXS gig coming up, our manager Billy knows their promoter and hasorganised a big busload of us to leave from the pub and go see 'em

Headed up to Wembley Arena after work Thursday night with Shada and Michelle. Moby had a gig on and we figured we'd just turn up and try get tickets. Proved easy as scalpers are common in these parts. Standing tickets for £30 each. Always wanted to see Moby, he makes some amazing music........

It wasn't the best show I've seen but it was still a great few hours. I love live music. These big arenas with 15,000 odd people all their together for the one reason. Moments of contentment. Some songs had us dancing around, a club type feel. Others such as Natural Blues and whatever, with their Cathartic Gospel influence that Moby is known for, were brilliant.

We closed to the public at 3pm today. I'm on a 2 hour break now before starting again at six. It's the first contact christmas party. Everyone's really getting into the spirit of things. We're working but it's going to be one fun night!

Went clubbing Saturday night, met up with Mark at Bad Bobs in Covent Garden then we all headed to Atomic in Charing Cross Road. Big night of dancing and all that. So at about 4am when the club closed we were forced to leave. I bused it back to the the camel with the intention of going to bed. Get there and all the crew are still up having drinks in the bar. Triple Bundy's went down a treat. There's now video footage of me dancing on the bar in my boxer shorts. Got to bed around 7am?. The sun was up. Slept till 4:30pm Sunday only to start work at 5..

At the Easy Internet place in Trafalgar Sq at present. Me and Heath, another Melbourne boy i work with, are gunna go see James Bond. Days off are a good chance to get away from the pub for a while.

We were meant to go to some TV show last Sunday, Aimee got tickets through work. Myself, Mike, Aimee, Shada, Betina and Chris headed to Waterloo station to get the connecting traing. We missed it and as the next one wasn't for another hour (It's 45 mins outsiude of London) we knew we'd miss the show. What else do we do on a Sunday night in London? A pub crawl around the West End of course, each chosing one pub as we went along. Had to be one no one had ever been to before. Although that rule was broken with the Porterhouse (My favourite pub in London) and the Intrepid Fox (Very gothic complete with graveyard style scenery). You guessed it, we all got very happy.

Been working lots, it's still fun although a few double shifts tire you out. Not that it bothers me. My time off have been spent catching up on sleep. Oh also caught some little James Bond expo with Zinny the other day. Not quite worth the £9 but good nonetheless. The £4.95 all you can eat at the Deep Pan Pizza Co in Picadilly with Row and Hoffy was good also.

Work the next few days then Days off on Tuesday and Wednesday. There's a big Christmas party for First Contact here next Saturday night. We are closed to the public, All staff will be working but we're all going to get dressed up and soak up the atmosphere. Now I think I'll head into Covenmt Garden to catch up woth Mark for his farewell.....

It's good to have a day off, especially after the last two days of double shift work. Friday there was a very large lunch crowd coming in that got even busier as the day progressed due to it being Friday. Mainly a suit/work crowd. There was a farewell function on upstairs to that night. Whoever put it on had a tab running behind the bar, free drinks meant everyone got messy and clocked up well over a grand. Not to nitpick, but the type of crowd that was present (business suit and tie types) meant there were a few dickheads about. When it's busy this can get annoying at times. Was exhausted come midnight.

Saturday was even bigger. Another double shift with a 10:30am start. Three games of Rugby on with all Three Antipodean teams playing in seperate games. With a large Kiwi crowd always present at our pub, come midday you couldn't move inside. It was busiest early on. Despite working my arse off it was actually pretty fun and I enjoyed the day immensly. A good friendly crowd that got right into the game and the atmosphere. We were supposed to replay the Aussie game afterwards but our video machine messed up. The South African game later on that came only after the leage game involving the Kiwi's and the Pom's. The Staff and locals stayed on after closing up at 11:30pm and I didn't get to sleep till almost five I think. Knocked back a few bundy's then drunk upstairs with Anton and Rowan. All the Kiwi lads did the Hucka for us all which was amuzing...

Today I relaxed. Did washing, shopped and slept. Went for a walk before along the Thames near the pub. An Aussie guy was busking by the river with his electric guitar. Heavy on the reverb and delay it created a perfect mood that echoed through the air. He sung some great tunes. I walked along the river, listening, taking in the veiws and being content. Then I walked through the park and back home to the Camel. Yep, life is good! Ok better get off of here, using the boss's computer down in the cellar.....

It's Monday afternoon in London, there's a bit of a chill about but the sun is out. I worked a double shift yesterday after a decent night out with Mark on Saturday night firstly at Henry's in Green Park then some little club/bar in Covent Garden. Toaday is one of those days where London looks as beautiful as ever and I'm really happy to be here. Walked from the pub down in Tower Bridge into Piccadilly Circus to pick up a copy of the new U2 Best Of CD then walked around a bit listening to it on my discman Full of tunes I love as well as some brilliant new ones. Today I'm happy, content and looking forward to the rest of my stay here which could be longer than originally anticipated now.