After a hassle free trip from Kochin I got to Colombo airport on Thursday lunchtime, got a lift through my Guest House (Blinkbonnie) to Kandy so two hours later I was in my big room overlooking the city from high in the mountains. For 9 pds a night a bargain.

Went for a walk nursing some rather nasty insect bites and met up with a traveller who has also included Englands cricket tours in his plans so we had a much needed beer and a chat in a pub with a balcony overlooking the street. He left after a few but with many other England fans around I left feeling just a little tipsy about 10.00.

Had a good look around Kandy the next day, temple of the tooth and a walk around the big lake, very nice in 85 degree sunshine. Then yesterday the cricket started, England had a great day and most the barmy army were about for a good few beers watching the Premiership in the pub in the evening. Today (Sunday) hasnt been so good though, it rained from mid-afternoon and England are barely ahead in the game now The expected flurry of text messages from home quickly followed the covers going on to the pitch. Not much to do for the rest of the day once it rains and you're on your own, well except this and then back to the pub...getting worried about my bulging waistline at this rate!

Gets fustrating getting yourself understood sometimes, I asked a cabbie "Can you take me to the DHL office, the internatinal courier company please". His reply "You want a Korean girl for company, i can arrange for fee".

Updating this on my birthday (7th), not the most exciting one I've ever had, all the England cricket fans have headed off to Colombo except me it seems - I should be on the 6.30am train tomorrow all being well. The Test Match was a cracker, very tense at the end but Sri Lanka won thanks to Murali's bowing and Sangakarras batting and a shocking LBW decision against Sidebottom on the last day. The roof kept collapsing in the stand I was in, so I, wearing my Palace shirt, moved round and sat next to a guy in an England top. Sadly he was a Brighton fan but we had a good good laugh during the game and then over a few beers and a disappointing curry. Saw Mr Mental Toughness, fomer CP manager Alan Smith, once again!

Had a top day yesterday, climbed up Sigiriya, a massive volcanic rock on a gloriously sunny day with three other lads from my guest house. We just about made it but it was hard work, then after some hassle from the guide over his tip we stopped off to check out Dambulla international cricket stadium instead of the cave temples. Got back and had a good few beers and an excellent chinese and a tuktuk race to finish off up the mountains.

So today I was going to take myself off to a pool and chill out in the sunshine and climb up to the big budda on the hill but one hitch with that - its been raining most the day. I've been trying to upload some Kandy photos for this site but no joy.

Then I'll be glad to be moving on in the morning, Kandy is a nice place but you dont need too long to see the sights and its going to be very quiet this evening. I was talking to a local taxi driver in the pub the other night, he has never seen the town so vibrant in the evenings whilst the match was on.