Markets and Barry Island in the stream!

Tues 11th Aug.

Woke up at 8am to ring Trans WA.
Got bus to Cardiff. Went to the market's but Sean's stall was shut. Went to Things Welsh opposite the castle and bought some more souveniers. Went back to the markets. Sean's was still shut, but the other Welsh guy was open. He's got some lovely stuff. Got chatting to him for a while, then went to the Millenium Stadium gift shop. Walked straight through the glass doors to watch the film that was playing in there. Videoed a short film about the staduim, then a guy stood at the front and addressed us. He said to follow him and they'd carry on the tour.
Oh dear, I'd joined the tour without paying. I went back into the shop and bought a dvd and a book.
Went back to Sean's and talked to him for a while. he's been to Oz of course (who hasn't?). I bought the tshirt I'd been after, and he gave me a Welsh hat for Carl. Nice. And the hat! lol.

Caught bus to Eastbrook where Catrin and Phoebe picked me up. We went to Laburnam Way, off Longmeadow Drive, so I could video Gav's house from Gavin and Stacey.
Then we went to Barry Island. Car park was chokkas, and there were people streaming through it towards the beach.
Filmed where Dave's Coaches stop, then went to the shelter to get a feed. I grabbed a table while Cartin and Phoebe queued up. It was a good half hour before they got the food! People everywhere!
I had chips and gravy and a nice coffee, then we walked along the spit/head/cliff thing. It was a nice hot day but it was blowing a gale! Took vids and pics, then walked down the beach. Phoebe wanted to paddle, so we made our way through the sludgy sand to the water's edge. I paddled too, and videoed my toes disappearing under the opaque water! haha. Soo funny! There were heaps of people swimming too.
Walked back along the packed beach and through the fun fair. Wow, that brought back memories! Actually I'm pretty sure the last time I went there would have been with Catrin, about 26 years ago!
Bought donuts and ice-cream, than back to the car. Lovely day.

Leaving the car park we were two cars behind a mini-van, which got stuck under the height restriction bar! God knows how he'd got into the car park in the first place.
We sat for a while until the 10 or so cars behind us got the message and reversed.

Drove down Cold Knap, cos I'd had no idea where it was! It's really pretty now - they've drained and cleaned the lake.

Left a message on my mum's phone for her to ring me but she didn't, so Catrin dropped me at my dad's.

Really sad to say goodbye, have had a brilliant laugh with her these last few weeks.

Went straight to sleep. Woke at 8, rang mum, she hadn't checked her messages. Said goodbye to her and Louise over the phone, then got on with the packing and swapping stuff between suitcase and hand luggage, to distribute the weight. Just got it right, but had to leave 3 books out for dad to send by mail.
Didn't bother going to bed cos I would've had to get up at 2am anyway.

Txted Ken, then we ended up exchanging 8 bloody txts!! A record for him. I told him to watch the video of me and him on YouTube, so he watched it NINE times!! haha. Bless 'im.

Packing.

Sun 9th Aug.

Back to dad's for roast chicken. Started packing. Weighed suitcase and it was 22.8 kilos. Not good. Stayed home on net.

Chinese! Yum.

Sat 8th Aug.

Went down mum's at 7. Louise came back from North Wales about 8.30, then we ordered Chinese. Didn't eat till about 9.30 though. I was starving! It was really nice though, and I had shredded seaweed for the first time.
Was falling asleep, but got watching some really interesting stuff on tv and didn't go to bed till 2.30. But still couldn't sleep till 4.30!

Cops, Keys and Shoes.

Fri 7th Aug.

Booked National Express but to London at 3.20am next Wednesday. Can't believe it's come around so quick!

Txted Ken and asked him if he was coming out tonight. Wasn't gonna bother going out if he wasn't, cos too tired!
He said he was and he'd see me down there, so off I went. Sat out the front talking to Elwyn Rees for an hour and a half. He's an ex cop, used to work in Cardiff Central.
Wondered where Steve and Booey were. Went to go to the loo and Steve walked in the men's in front of me. Talked to him through the door but couldn't hear what he was saying so he told me to come in. I stood in the doorway with the door open (as a young bloke was trying to get in past me), and Steve said, "I said come and hold this for me, it's too heavy!" Ha ha. Very funny.
He asked where I'd been and I asked him the same. Hesaid him and Booey had been inside playing pool for an hour and a half, looking out the window for me. Turns out they'd walked right past me when I had my back turned, talking to Elwyn!!
Went to the loo, then into the pool room with Ken and Boo. We went next door straight away, so I got my bottle of wine from Elwyn and we swapped phone numbers. Five mins later he txted me and said "Please be careful careful with those blokes" lol.
The 3 of us sat round the Star side for the rest of the night, just chatting and laughing. Ken accidentally bluetoothed me all of his photos. I now have some lovely pics of his back yard! lol.
They left in Steve's mate's taxi when the pub shut, and I stayed behind for a drink with Sue the landlady. God knows what time I left.

Chris Jones.

Thurs 6th Aug.

Went to mum's after tea for a bit. Mike gave me a lift up to Chris Jones'. We talked a lot about Pete, and had a bottle of raspberry wine that Dai made. She rang Wendy and I spoke to her. She's really having a hard time accepting Pete's death, and hasn't moved anything that was his, not even his last coffee mug. I said it's only been a short while and she'll know when she's ready. In the meantime tell everyone else to piss off. She said that's exactly what her counsellor said. She said I must come and stay with them next time I'm over.
me and Chris sat outside and she bluetoothed me heaps of ringtones Pete had sent her.
She also bluetoothed me some photos of him and the girls that I will print and send to her.
Dai came home from bowling at 11.30 and gave me a lift home.

Brecon, Andrew.

Wed 5th Aug.

I felt like absolute shit - hungover and not enough sleep - so nearly rang Catrin to postpone our trip, but thought better of it. Her and Phoebe called in at 11.30 and chatted with my dad for a while. We drove up through Merthyr Tydfil to something starting with P, to the Brecon Mountain Railway, a steam engine tourist ride through the mountain, next to the Brecon Beacons.
Catrin played a triple CD called Seventies Dinner Party, which was chocka-block full of seventies songs )as the title would suggest), some of which I hadn't heard for 30 years!!! Singing along madly all the way there!
Phoebe was the official navigator, but we got lost on the outskirts of Merthyr so just took a few turns that looked like they may lead to a mountain railway! lol.
Hung around the centre for a while, waiting for the train. Met two of the most gorgeous fluffy white dogs! One was a Samoyed and the other was a Japanese Spitz.
The steam engine was beautiful. It took us at a slow pace 3.5 miles along, past Taf Fechan reservoir, then backwards to a platform on the reservoir's edge.
Queued up for about 4 hours for a coffe and sandwich, then sat at the picnic benches. We decided to wait until the train came around again instead of continuing with it this time, and went in to the playground with Phoebe. Chatted away and took photos.
Caught the train back again and Catrin bought me a "Iechyd Da" mug from the souvenier shop.
Drove home in hysterics, singing along to some more of the seventies songs. Was crying with laughter!!

They dropped me off at tea time, and Andrew Surridge txted. Him and his mrs, Donna, picked me up in his white convertible Ford Escort! How cool! And he had Divine Madness playing on the dvd player in the front. Wicked.
Went to the Walston Castle down Penarth Marina. Sat outside and chatted for ages. He said I should just go to Ken's house, and was going to tell me where he lived, but I refused.

Martin Graham

Tues 4th Aug.

Andrew Surridge txted and asked if we could meet up again before I go. I asked him what he was doing tonight but he was busy. Txted Martin Graham, and we arranged to meet at the Railway. Had a good old chat. He apologised for storming out of my dad's house in 1983 and breaking my heart (for a week), and I apologised for kissing Stephen Hurst, which is what made Martin storm out in the first place! Haha.
He's had a few funny relationships. Got custody of his daughter when she was 2, then married someone he didn't want to marry at all, which lasted 11 months. Now he's living in a flat back in Dinas.

Still couldn't sleep! Dropped off around 5am!

Cerys, sleep!

Mon Aug 3rd.

Woke up in Sam's bed at about 1.30pm. Booey rang and we had a chat. gave him Vicky's number.
Tracy had gone out so I watched a dvd with Tyson. Beautiful ginger cat, massive, looks like a lion!
Tracy took me to the Wenvoe post office where Cerys Williams works. Talked to her for a while. She's gone really skinny!
Tracy dropped me off at my dad's and I spent the rest of the day upstairs. Couldn't sleep at night, even though I was knackered!

My Birfday!!

Sun 2nd Aug.

Kellie and Matt came back from Richards. They'd all said their goodbyes and she posted on Facebook "My heart just broke for the first time today!". Bless her. Know how she feels. It was the same with me and my natural father Jim, but we didn't get half as close as kellie and Richard and the kids.
Had Sunday roast, then pressies, then Pavlova, then cake!! Good Lord! Yummy though.

Talked to Catrin for ages till time to get ready to go out. Ken txt and said Booey's coming tonight but he can't. Bugga!
Dad dropped us 3 down the Keys and Sharon was already there. Then Andrew Surridge came with Donna, then Steve Deakin, then my mum and Louise, Kellie's sister Tanya, Booey, Martin Graham (which was a big surprise!), Tracey, Rob, Tyson, Sam, Julie, Amanda, Vicky, and Johanna Jones. She's looking good, I must say.

Booey and Steve Deakin were telling me about Ken's troubles over the past 10 years. I was so glad they told me, but sad for him. Bless.
Also managed to chat to Martin and Andrew, which was great, but time just absolutely FLEW by!
Inside at the end, Tanya was saying she'll definitely come over. Cool.

Went home with Tracy, Rob and Tyson. Stayed up talking to poor Tyson at the dining room table till about 4.30am! Slept in the gym/Sam's room. What a cool house!

Back to Penarth again.

Sat 1st Aug.

Sharon woke me after about 3 hours sleep, cos she had to go. We caught a taxi to her car in Dinas villiage, then she dropped me off at my dad's and went to have her hair done for 100 quid!

Moped around upstairs and got more and more depressed. Actually felt sick. Close to tears for hours and hours. Really down. Emailed Graham, poured my heart out.

Paul Muscat posted the song "That's the Way to do it" on Facebook. Reminded me of when Stan dumped me over the phone, the day before my 14th birthday. I spent my birthday crying my eyes out at Tim's house, with Catrin trying to cheer me up with Madness songs. I'd just stopped crying when that song came on and of course there's the line, "I'm Stan, yes I am", which had me in floods of tears again.
Then I realised it was exactly 27 years ago today that he dumped me, breaking my heart in the process, and here I am all crying and broken-hearted again!

Catrin txted to say she was home, so talked to her for 2 hours. Trying to work the "Ken" thing out. She did manage to get me Roaring with laughter, as usual.

Then, Andrew Jones, who I'd been trying to contact for four years in an effort to find Stan, finally replied. He said Stan died six years ago from cancer. Oh.

Shaky, Sian, Sharon, Booey, Keys.

Fri 31st July.

Met Sharon Griffiths at the Cross Keys in Dinas. Chatting away then Ken and Booey turned up. Loved the way Ken didn't have to ask what I was drinking, just got me one. Sigh!
Great to see Booey. He talks more now, and he's a darling! Shaky said that he'd made our photos into a slideshow and for the soundtrack he used "Rocking Good Way", the song we'd sung on Karaoke together. Swoon! He'd tried to post it on Facebook but it said the file was too large.
He showed me the photos he'd taken of me, then as I was telling sharon something he took another photo of me. Then Sharon took some with his phone of me, him, and Booey.

Great night again, though me and Sharon were babbling on outside for ages while the other two were playing pool, waiting for us to play doubles. We did eventually go in there, then back outside as the pub was shutting. Something was said about going back to someone's house, and Ken said, "You're not coming back to mine! Last week you offered to have a baby for me and said hurry up cos we only have two weeks!". Oh. I'm sure he knew I was joking!

They went home in Ken's mate's taxi, and me and Sharon caught a taxi to her place. I only realise now that Sharon's not that far away from Ken in Barry, so we could have shared!. Bummer.
Me and Sharon stayed up for ages chatting away in the kitchen, mostly about our mothers.
Slept in her spare room, which is very nice. In fact the whole house is lovely!

Cardiff , The Bear's Head.

Thurs 30th July.

Rang Kellie who was down the Bay, and met her in town on Queen St. Waited outside HMV while her and Matt went in. Was amazed at how many people didnt' have sunnies on, cos it was a bright hot day.
Went to "Things Welsh" and oggled at all the lovely souveniers. As soon as we walked in, Sharon Griffiths rang, so had a long chat.
Met Matt at the indoor markets, but most of the stalls were closed. Went to Sean's stall (the guy from the Welsh Show) and chatted with him for a while. He's nice.
Caught bus back to Penarth.

Louise called here at 6.30 and we walked up to the Bear's Head. The 4 of us had a good old chat, and just after we'd ordered our meals my mum came. Matt left early, and me and Kellie walked home after. My dad came home just after and said he'd just left Matt at the Windsor with bloody Paul, Reg Evans, and Colin Hicks. Aaarrgh! They're my dad's very long-term friends who watched me grow up, and I would have LOVED to be at the pub with them!!

Went on the net and as I was chatting I got a txt from Ken (Shaky/Steve) saying he reeeeeeeally enjoyed last Friday and asking me if I wanna come to the shoes with him and Booey tomorrow night!
Aaaaarrgh! Do I, or wot?!!! Almost ran around the bedroom cheering, but didn't.
Cool!

Newmans at Glendale.

Wed 29th July.

My dad took us all for a meal at the Glendale, with Paul and Lyn Newman, and their daughter Rebecca. Paul has been my dad's best friend since they were teens, and I grew up with their son Michael. They had Rebecca later in life and she's 5 months older than Kellie!
Lovely meal. Nice to see dad drinking and loosening up with Paul.
I kept going outside for a fag, and got talking to an English guy Paul and his dad. Swapped contacts and told him to call in when he's in Kalbarri next, lol.

On the way out, my dad recognised a guy on the next table, who he stopped to talk to. Him and Paul used to play rugby with/against him back in the day.
I heard the wife say that her son was in Australia, so I asked her about it. Turns out they're the parents of my ex-boyfriend Andrew Mason! I only went out with him for about three minutes, but that counts!

Doin' nothin but relaxing.

Tues 28th July

Did basically nothing again. Editing videos, photos, emailing. Still felt really down. Wondering why hadn't heard from Ken. Spoke to Catrin on phone for 2 hours, felt better.

Back to Penarth.

Mon 27th July.

Edited more Madstock video, to upload to muzu.tv/madness. Went back to my dad's in Penarth.
Posted the video of me and Shaky (Ken/Steve) on Facebook.
Felt pretty down really, so emailed Graham. Think it's exhaustion and coming down from the weekend, and realising I've only got 2 weeks left.
Not much else. Late night on internet.

Recovery mode!

Sunday 26th July.

As one would expect, didn't do much today. Woke up at 4pm, managed to get up, and that's about all I did!

Glantaf reunion, niteclub

Sat 25th July.

Had major hangover of course. Txted Ken and said I had so much fun but can't remember everything so have to do it again! Ha.
No time for suffering, busy night ahead. Rang Sharon Griffiths (who's number I did manage to get last night). She was in total shock! Couldn't believe it was me. We went right the way through school together and I haven't seen her since the day I left school in May 25 years ago.
Asked her to come to the reunion tonight that Tracy Jones had arranged in my honour, but she couldn't cos she was on holiday. Had a chat and arranged to catch up when she gets back.

Tracy and her husband Rob picked me up (in their "pick-up" lol) and we went to the Waterguard down the Bay. First time I'd seen Tracy for 25 years as well, and we used to be good mates. Sat together in Geography.
We were the first to arrive, but then Sian Thomas appeared. She hasn't grown at all! Very chatty and the 3 of us had a chance to gossip about the teachers before the others arrived. Then they all arrived within a few minutes of each other and I was up and down greeting and hugging and we were all "Oh My God"-ing and screeching with laughter. And that's how it stayed all night. Must have been sooo annoying for the other people there! haha.

There was Vicky, who's hair's grown and who's voice I'd forgotten was so deep, Amanda Bullock who's lost tons of weight and cut her hair, Sam Lewis who's now amazingly got great hair, Catherine Ball who hasn't got any shorter, Julie Lovering, Richard Grigg, Rhys Boore who now looks like a young Peter Cook, and a big surprise was Mr Ceri Evans! COR!!
It was so amazingly weird to be allowed to talk to him in English! We had a right old chat, and he is SUCH a sweetie! I told him how much I was in love with his cousin Phil Davies, and that me and Catrin only took metalwork cos of him.
Nobody had changed a bit! Not one little bit except for three hairstyles.

We all ended up outside and, yes, ended up singing. It's a Glantaf thing! We sang "Ymlith Plant Dynion", "Cydganed Pawb", "Gafr Wen" (four verses!) and then did a rousing rendition of "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" (Welsh national anthem). Rousing the dead, that is!
If anyone had told me a few weeks ago that I'd be at a pub in Cardiff singing these songs with these people, I would have thought they were taking the piss. What a brilliant night!

We moved over to the Salt pub, and I bumped in to Nicky Williams who's grown and was with Shaun Gaughan.
Then half of us got taxis to some night club on Caroline St. Can't remember the name of it but I got me and Richard in for free. I snuck him in, but I'm not really sure if we were supposed to pay in the first place, so my sneaking may have been for no good reason at all.
The bouncers saw me later and confiscated my half full bottle of wine from Salt. Did (attempted?) a lot of Dirty Dancing with Julie while Richard was filming, then tried to teach Richard how to dance, but failed miserably.
Me and Richard caught a taxi home with some stranger at 3.30am and he got out at the Merrie Harriers.
Fell in to bed!

Shaky and Sian. Three Horseshoes.

Fri 24th July

In the afternoon I walked up the villiage to post some stuff to Mark and Carl. Stopped at the Three Horseshoes, wondering if there'd be anyone I knew there. Got talking to various people, and tried to txt mum to say i wouldn't be home for tea, but my phone battery ran out.
Out the side of the bar I got talking to Kevin Fowler, Cathy's brother. He put me on to Simon, who was waiting for Tony, who's friends with Kevin, who's Sharon Griffiths' other half. So I hung around and got talking to some older blokes for ages, in the lounge bar. David who talks posh, John who's 89 and lives up the top of Penny Turnpike, Roger, and... oh God can't remember his name but he's from England and his wife Lynda trained with my mum.
Sat outside chatting, and Kevin (Womble) tapped me on the shoulder. He'd recognised me from behind! He came and sat with me and we were both trying to ring my mum's house on his phone until Mike (stepfather) turned up to play cards with Kev.

Went out the front for a fag, talking to some Justin bloke, and bloody Stephen Kennedy walks up. That was it! Stayed with him all evening till 1 or 2 am, and had an absolute ball. Fell totally in love! haha.
Later, we were out the back and he was taking photos of him kissing me, when my mother turned up. NOT happy! She asked me if I was coming home, I said no, and Ken (Steve) said "No, I haven't finished with her yet" or something along those lines. She said I'd let her and Louise down. No idea at all what that meant. I did follow her back through the pub asking her, but she stormed off.
Ken requested "A kissing Good Way" on Karaoke, by Shakin Stevens and Bonnie Tyler. We sand that together, and he said he had a surprise for me. Then House of Fun came on! ha ha. So we sang that too.

We took more photos out the front, more kissing, and I told him I was taking photos of us with my vid camera, but I was actually videoing. And he caught me out! Ha.
Had a really good time with him. Just laughed and laughed, taking the piss out of each other.
Sat out the front finishing our drinks when the pub shut. His mate the taxi driver came and gave us a lift. I asked him to come in to mum's, but he wouldn't after seeing her earlier. I said we'd be quiet! Ha ha.
I was very pissed, OK!

Off to Dinas Powys.

Thurs 23rd July

Rang Carl at John and Emily's house (Kalbarri) to wish him happy birthday for last Monday. He's really happy at John's, and happy to be back at Kalbarri school, and John said he's behaving really well.
I asked Carl who he's hanging round with at school and he said the nerds. I asked him why, and he said, "no, it's good, cos they don't get in to trouble". So I said, "Yes, keep hanging round with the nerds. nerds are good!" haha.

Richard picked up Kellie and Matt to go and stay at his place, and my dad took me to my mum's. We couldn't stay here for 4 nights cos Bridget's family were staying here for a wedding.
Spent most of the evening editing and preparing Madness footage to post on Muzu.tv, in the hope that it may be used in the official Madstock dvd.

The Royal Welsh show, Mud!

Wed 22nd July.
Got up early and mum and Mike took the three of us to the Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd, near Builth Wells. Took us 3 hours, cos massive long traffic jamb to get in to the car park!
It had rained heavily the day before, and the car park (two big fields/paddocks) was a quagmire! I thought it was husterical cos cars were spinning everywhere out of controll, and so were people's feet! It was freezing and raining, so I forgot my previous attitude of "she'll be right" and gratefully accepted my mum's offer of a waterproof mac.
Got the free coach to the showgrounds, which are a couple of miles away.
We all went for a cup of tea then split up. I wanted to go round on my own cos I could do it at my own pace. This came in handy later when I spent over an hour talking to the hundreds of funny-shaped sheep in the massive sheep shed. Matt wouldn't have stood for that. A sheep's a bloody sheep. Food on legs.

I saw many wonderful things, including the stunningly beautiful Welsh Cob show. Fantastic! It was pissing down though, and I had to shield my video camera from the rain. Actually it was raining most of the day. I was nice and dry cos of the waterproof mac, but walking around was more than a tad difficult at times. The showground, being basically a massive field with some purpose-built buildings, had been reduced to what can only be described as a mud bath. and I do like my baths deep, but....!

Went to the food hall and got half pissed on the free samples of wine, cider and vodka, while tasting all the different cheeses, icecreams, biscuits etc. Bought some Toffee flavoured Vodka, made on Ynys Mon (Anglesea).

Got the bus back to the carpark/field, which was now even more slippery and brown than it had been earlier. There were tractors there pulling people out who'd got bogged (their cars that is, not the people. Now That would have been funny!). We made a big run-up and got through the worst bit. Boo!
Stopped at a little country pub for drinkies, but Kellie and Matt stayed in the car cos they were asleep.

Horseguards, back to Wales.

Tues 21st July.
Caught bus to Horseguards Parade, to watch the changing of the guard. Arrived early, asked a cop where was the best position for viewing, and I was already in it! The parade took absolutely bleedin ages, but was worth it. All that pomp and ceremony and tradition, I just love it! And the horses of course!
Went through the horseguards museum. Wow! It's only small, but great. As I walked towards the end I came accross a glassed-off section where you can watch the horses being un-tacked and groomed. By the time I got there one guard was left, just sweeping up!
Almost tried on some of the ceremonial uniform, but had no-one to help me.
Outside, I went to pat a sentry's horse, and said to him, "You have got the BEST job in the world. You are sooo lucky!" and he gave me a faint nod (not sure if that's allowed!). As I walked away I said, "I'm gonna go home and tell my son he's coming over here to do this", and he smiled. Not sure if that's allowed either, haha.

Got tube back to Picadilly (feet were still blistered and very sore), then the three of us made our way to Victoria coach stn. Perfect timing - only had to wait 5 minutes to get on the coach.
Slept a bit on the way back, dad picked us up from Kingsway, went on net all night. Downloaded all my photos and videos and caught up with some emails. Knackered!

Buck Palace, Mews, niteclub.

Our room mate had come in really late last night and this morning he was still asleep when we left. We walked to Buck Palace through Green Park, stopping on the way to get more gel plasters for my blistered and cut feet (I live in thongs usually). Saw changing of the Guard. Was good, but I think we decided to leave before it was actually finished. Sat at the pool/statue thingy opposite the palace for a while. Crystal clear, fresh, cool water.
Walked round the corner a bit to the Royal Mews. Had a recorded voice guide thingy to tell us what we were looking at. The Golden ceremonial coach is housed there when not in use. VERY impressive, I must say!
Back towards the entrance were some of the horses in their stalls.

Stopped at a tiny cafe/deli thing accross the road, I bought a roll, and bloody Kellie and Matt left me there! I had a beautiful, if angry, walk through St James' Park. Really pretty. Then looking at my map I realised that Number 10, the War Offices, and Horseguards Parade were just down to the right.
Stopped at Horseguards, WOW! Took photos of the sentries on duty.
Met Kellie and Matt at a little pub just off Trafalgar Sq. Sent some postcards and stuff from the Strand. Matt walked home and me and Kellie went back to Horseguards to take more photos. We were going to go in to the museum but didn't have time.

Walked through Trafalgar Sq, expecting to feed about four million pidgeons. We searched and searched and found THREE! And one of them was questionable cos it was awfully bedraggled . Couldn't believe it!!! Apparently they've discouraged the feeding of them cos they're vermin. Oh.

Walked back to backpackers and met our room-mate. Kellie got talking to some Aussie guys who said there was a special night at the local Walkabout pub in Leicester Square. One pound for a shot of vodka or Jacks. We all walked there, not far at all (NOT), and the qeue was massive, so we jumped it. Naughty!
Had to pay a fiver to get in, and the place was absolutely jam-packed!! Finally made it to the bar in the 70 degree heat, and struggled back out again with two double vodkas and orange. Had to skull them so I could go outside for a fag. Got talking to this guy Sean from Scotland/London who has a house in Queensland and goes there a lot. Turns out he's the manager of the place, and I stayed chatting to him for ages. Kellie and Matt went for chinese and back to the backpackers. I caught a tube back.

Buck Palace, Mews, Horseguards, niteclub.

Mon 20th July.
Our room mate had come in really late last night and this morning he was still asleep when we left. We walked to Buck Palace through Green Park, stopping on the way to get more gel plasters for my blistered and cut feet (I live in thongs usually). Saw changing of the Guard. Was good, but I think we decided to leave before it was actually finished. Sat at the pool/statue thingy opposite the palace for a while. Crystal clear, fresh, cool water.
Walked round the corner a bit to the Royal Mews. Had a recorded voice guide thingy to tell us what we were looking at. The Golden ceremonial coach is housed there when not in use. VERY impressive, I must say!
Back towards the entrance were some of the horses in their stalls.

Stopped at a tiny cafe/deli thing accross the road, I bought a roll, and bloody Kellie and Matt left me there! I had a beautiful, if angry, walk through St James' Park. Really pretty. Then looking at my map I realised that Number 10, the War Offices, and Horseguards Parade were just down to the right.
Stopped at Horseguards, WOW! Took photos of the sentries on duty.
Met Kellie and Matt at a little pub just off Trafalgar Sq. Sent some postcards and stuff from the Strand. Matt walked home and me and Kellie went back to Horseguards to take more photos. We were going to go in to the museum but didn't have time.

Walked through Trafalger Sq, expecting to feed about four million pidgeons. We searched and searched and found THREE! And one of them was a bit questionable cos it was awfully bedraggled . Couldn't believe it!!! Apparently they've discouraged the feeding of them cos they're vermin. Oh dear.

Eye and Dungeon. Eeek!

Sun 19th July.
Went on the London Eye. Nice views. Seems to take less than the advertised 25 mins to go around though.
Took a nice pleasant stroll down The Southbank to the London Dungeons. People just floating about on a Sunday afternoon, past the market stalls. Very surreal! (That was another reference to a Madness song).
The Dungeons were really good. Took a lot longer than i would have thought. Then at the end you go on this ride like 'Bounce' at Oakwood. It just drops suddenly and you just about freefall till it slows down a second or two later. I absloutely SHIT myself!! Terrified, just for that one second! We went into the foyer where they display the photos they've just taken of you, and I had a fit of absolute hysterics!! mine and Kellie's faces are pure terror, but Kellie's had me literally doubled over with laughter, hanging on to the rail, tears streaming down my face! Lasagne!!!

Had a nice Sunday roast at the Horniman. And some more Pimms and Lemonade, of course.
Kellie and Matt went to Kings Cross to move our luggage from the Macdonals Hotel to Picadilly Backpackers, while I made my way to the London Museum. Or the Museum of London. Had to walk ages from Moorgate Tube stn, down London Wall (it's a road), to the museum. Glad I did though, cos I came accross part of the actual old London Wall itself! It's part of the original defensive wall built by the Romans around Londinium. This is another reference to Madness, as their new Album "The Liberty of Norton Folgate" is named after a Liberty on the outskirts of Londinium, near Shoreditch, which still had it's own council and laws in 1900.
Went through the museum, and at the end found a big photo of Kellie! Yes, that's right. It was a corner that was a memorial to the terrorist bombings in London last time we were here. Me and the girls attended the memorial service and laying of the wreaths by relatives and dignitaries. There's a big photo on the wall, of that day, and kellie's in it. Me and Jessie must have been hidden by the crowd.

Asked the chick at the desk where Norton Folgate and the Licht bar were, and she printed off a google map for me. Walked all the way up there, past Liverpool station, and Found Norton Folgate! Jumped and laughed, even though I was on my own in a rather busy street. Soo exciting! Went to the Light bar a hundred metres away. That's where Madness held the launch party/small gig for their new album. A few of my fan/friends had been lucky enough to attend and got to meet the band, so there'd been plenty of photos and videos posted on the net. Had a Pimms and Lemonade in Carl's memory. Sooo cool!
Long treck back to Picadilly Backpackers. It's nice, clean, and very central. About 100m from the statue of Eros.

Tower of London, Pimms and lemonade.

Sat 18th July.
Went to the Tower of London. Split up from Kellie and Matt so I could go round everything at my own pace. Really took my time this time, unlike last time when I was dragging two bored, whinging teenage daughters around with me. Even made it in to the White Tower. There was a special exhibition of Henry viii's armour. Wow that was amazing! To be looking at the armour that he actually wore! Not just that, but all sorts of posessions and weapons. Quite unreal really, to be that close to these things.
Didn't bother going in to see the crown jewels cos the queue was about 10 miles long! Seen em before anyway, and once you've seen one...
Kellie and Matt went off somewhere while I went to do the Tower Bridge Exhibition. Took a very long time to climb the seemingly endless stairs!! Had two rests on the way up. Gotta give up the fags. Walked across the east walkway and got chatting to an Aussie guy who was showing me where the East end and the new dock development is, then went down in to the old engine room.

Walked along the South Bank and stopped at the Galleria, which is beautiful. Went in to a pub called the Horniman, opposite HMS Belfast, and had my very first Pimms and Lemonade. For those of you who are not Madness fans, shame on you, and Pimms and Lemonade is a reference to a Chas Smash song.
Sent txt to some fan-friends and Jon Young said a few of them were at the DC, so come on up.
Got tube up there, caght up with Chigs, Kitty, Patrick, Jon, and met Robert Hazelby and Paul Muscat.