Xmas in Wales I joined some other Xmas orphans (a dozen Aussies, 3 Kiwis, 2 Georgians (part of the former Soviet), a Hawaiian and an Indian) on a bus in London headed to Wales for Christmas. The 4 hour trip turned into about 6 hours as there was a lot of drinking on the way and bladders needed to be relieved at regular intervals. The beer finally ran out (except for Brains - the disgusting wlesh brew where the whole bus couldn't get through one can) as we got to our destination - Carmenthon, home of Merlin the Magician. Good news met us at the hostel where Ken the owner told us the bar was open to 3am so we took full advantage. To continue the good news Ken started Xmas day with a huge greasy breakfast. Chris took us on a treasure hunt to an old ruined castle where the clues were of a sordid nature, discovered some spirits (of the alcoholic variety) and kicking the Aussie Rules football around the grass of the castle courtyard. Paid our respects to the local pubs that were open for a few hours with our patronage. We all finally headed to bed realising we had drunk the bar completely dry of beer!!! Ken was happy and sad to see us go. Did rock hunting (this is actually an activity?) - trying to find the rocks that were used for Stonehenge. The novelty soon wore off so on to another picturesque little Welsh village for fish and chips where some of us quickly found the local pub. Fishguard was a crazy little Welsh village where the hostel owner in his 40's had free beer for us after the pubs kicked us out and offered a double room above the sauna for any couple who wanted it. One Welsh guy said that as far as New Year's party Fishguard ranked 3rd after Edinburgh and London. Left it till the last day of the tour after 4 days of heavy travelling and heavier drinking to climb the tallest mountain in England and Wales through the snow where it was bloody freezing. Some of us piked halfway and went to this house that offered hot chocolate and was ran by a complete nutter, who said Michael Jackson, Angelina Jolie and Uri Geller had all been to visit. Finished by getting our passports stamped at the place with the world's longest name - Llanfairpwllgwynngyllgogerychwryndrobwllllandisilliogogogoch. Cheers Mark