Weather: Nights 14C/Day 29C Dry (Paris)

We have Ireland done and dusted and shipped back to England on the 8th Sept. The crossing was uneventful and we managed to entertain ourselves watching others and reading a little during the four hour crossing. No hunting packs of 'U' boats sighted and no ships sunk.

We headed towards London on the motorways taking a fairly direct route, as the countryside has become a little ho- hum after over a month of touring, and magical London was beckoning. I have been assured it will be magical by the hordes of Australians who have howled me down when I say all cities are 'snake pits' and are to be avoided when at all possible.

On the way we investigated a tourism award winner in the town of Avery. This consisted of ten acres of undulating land upon which were scattered many large and small rocks. The reason for the existence of these rocks has been speculated upon by many citizens, qualified and otherwise, over the centuries. The walk was nice!

In one of the caravan parks we retreated to as darkness befell us, Gael chanced to meet a very interesting, rather short and tubby permanent park resident who apparently could predict future events. Gael was warned by this holder of spiritual powers, to be vigilant in five months time as she could be attacked by rushing wild animals. Upon reflection however, it does appear that Gael may have mentioned we would be it Africa at about that time!

Upon reaching the outer circle road ringing London my nerves were somewhat strained. I was therefore gladdened to find that I would not be allowed any closer to the city centre because of the substantial carbon tax levied on vehicles who dare to enter 'THE ZONE'. We found a campsite well located north of London in the Lee Valley. In fact, the Lee Valley campsite is serviced by a bus that terminates out the front. The number 215 bus takes you to the Tube station at Walkingstowe Central.

We spent four nights here and used the place as a base to do an in depth exploration of London. Now some may say that two days is not enough time to DO London!
I am here to assure you that in the opinion of someone who broke the back of Melbourne CBD in an afternoon that it is!

We took the opportunity to visit Canterbury on the way to the ferry at Dover. Found a place to camp at Terry's Farm. Basic is the word, but for 10 quid you get b***** all in the UK and certainly not a smile. Canterbury was a nice change from what the rest of the UK cities offered up. Relatively navigable streets, reasonable services (supermarket, hardware, photocopying, etc) all approachable by vehicle, and some lovely buildings in the town center.

Ferry trip from Dover to Calais uneventful. No ships lost from convoy. Cost of ferry for two antipodeans and their camper 100 British pounds (for those who need to know).

After hitting the beach in France we motored directly north to Belgium to the town of Brugge. A town of stunning architectural beauty. After the stodgy, cramped towns of the UK the old Pentridge Prison in Melbourne would look positively cheery.

Next was Paris. Well what can one say but 'bloody beautiful'. The Metro did provide we two hicks from Clydesdale with interesting challenges for the day, as did finding the bus link back to our campground. Then onto Versailles where I thought Gael would wet herself with excitement on several occasions. No wonder that there was a French Revolution as these people lived in a fantasy world!

We are now wending our way down through the Loire Valley full of chateaux's of the once filthy rich on towards Spain, Portugal, etc.

Finding internet access is becoming increasingly a challenge, so posts will tend to dry up like the Thompson River Dam has, but we will do our best.