Date: 24 / 25 January 2004 Adventures of Gamblegirl - I've seen it!!! Hoorahh!!! From day one, one of my main to-do's has been to see the changing of the guard. It's only taken about 8 attempts but obviously attempt no 9 was success. I always get the date wrong or the time wrong or just the spirit does not match the enthusiam. So finally I timed it right and I saw it. Down to the Queen's second pad I went, squashed myself up against the fence and hurrah I managed to see it. It's an interesting concept, something uniquely English and a tradition that may not have modern relevance (except for tourist attractions), but in it's own way, it does. It's British, just like the Queen and her croonies. Has no relevance but to get rid of them would be a loss. I got up early and made sure that I got a good spot (only to be elbowed out of the way by this old woman!!), so I had some time to kill. Note to American, while listening to you slowly come to the conclusion that your girlfriend is not calling because she doesn't want to see you, do you have to do it at the top of your voice? Anyway, I always thought that the guards were meant to stand perfectly still. Try telling that to the guard closest to me. He was a worse fidgeter then moi and Johnno. It's all a bit grand. A band, big house production. I was impressed. I know it's pretty lame and daggy but I liked it. Pretty amusing the Sargent (or whatever his title is - apologies for the insult if it is something more senior) screaming. Had me in giggles. The band even played Austin Powers theme tune which had a few of us humming along. A really cute moment is when a little kid yelled out "play ba ba black sheep". When they didn't, the kid went "mummy get them to play twinkle twinkle little star". Awwww bless. Then I met up with my friend Andi at what has to be the shoddiest tube station - ie Blackfriars. Do some renovation work puleeze!! Then it was off to The Globe, the home of Shakespears plays. Honest confession, I like Shakespear but on the list of things to do, it wasn't any where near the top but I am glad that I went. It was fantastic. To summ up - The Globe is where Shakespear used to hold all his plays but it burnt down midst one performance. An American Actor/Director rebuilt it about 6 years ago and Shakespear productions are held there during the summer period and classes are held there during the winter. They're rebuilt it so that its as accurate as what the original was. And it's a pretty impressive re-construction. I would have loved to have seen a performance there but unfortunately they don't start until May. Bummer and it was Romeo and Juliet as well. So thanx Andi for taking me because I really enjoyed it. It was really cool. Then the next day, Andi came and picked me up (she has the luxury of a CAR!!!) and it was off to Canterbury and Leeds Castle. Leeds Castle which is not in Leeds (scratching my head about that one) is billed as being the loveliest castle and damn tooty they are right!!!! It's stunning and that's before I'd even been inside. Stunning lakes, green grass cut to precision, and we were lucky. Despite it being freezing, the sky was a perfect blue and we had sunshine. Would love to see it in Winter and be there in Summer. Like I said, stunning. So far the castles I've been in (and that's been a few now) have been from decadent to over the top extravagent. Some I've loved (Cardiff Castle) some I've hated (Palace of Versailles). Nearly all are self indulgent, some are more military then others but all are flashy. But I like the style of Leeds. Clean, simple, good woodwork, wooden floorboards, classy - it was fabulous. Now normally I don't do averies (that's averies kids!). Not that keen on birds but Andi and I said "ah what the hell" and in we went. There were some interesting birds including two Macgraws that were screened off for mating purposes, a Tuccan or two and a couple of cockies (that's cockatoo's you lot). Andi attempted to get a hello out of a few and we got one from one! Cheeky little b******. Made me laugh. Then to complete our day of ABC's, we headed off to Canterbury. Confession time - it's bigger then what I thought it would be. I dunno what I was expecting but I wasn't expecting it to be that big. Canterbury is famous because it was the home of Geoffrey Chauncer (dunno who he is, get A Knight's Tale and then go to a library), but it's also famous for it's Cathedral. And what a lovely Cathedral it was. Despite it being massive, it didn't feel cold and big. Felt quite warm and intimate. After a stroll around Canterbury it was off home. Just in time for Goonies. Jeez I love that movie. Cheers Gamblegirl