Rain, rain, go away ...

Well we just spent about a week in London, pretty much chilling out and enjoying being back in the civalised world ... it's funny how much you miss things like cars made after 1990, coffee and feeling safe to walk on a street and how much you don't miss McDonalds, Starbucks and overpriced food! London must have heard that we were coming, because of the 6 days we were there, it rained for 5 of them! Infact, rained is a little bit of an understatement, it ABSOLUTELY POURED the whole time we were there.

We arrived on Thursday morning and gave Em a call to see how to make if from Heathrow airport to her place. Turns out, the easiest way was a 40 pound cab ride, may be up to 50 because of traffic, no worries, hang up, let Allan know that we could get a cab and it was only 40 pounds. Al gave me a look of disbelief - Do I realise that 40 pounds is just over $100?? Hmmm... after 30 minutes of searching, we found the underground nicely priced at $10 each ... an hour and a half later, instead of 40 minutes we arrived at Em's sweating, disgusting and with our shoulders aching from carrying our packs ... welcome to the life of a backpacker!! It was at this exact moment that I decided I didn't want to be a backpacker, if this is what was involved! We spent the rest of the day on Emma's couch, feeling sorry for ourselves!! Al's note: Mel also spent 2 hours straightning her hair just because she could. i don't think its important i just think it needs mentioning.

Friday was catch up day, we spent the morning booking our flights to Prague (which is where we are at the moment!!) and the afternoon catching up with all our Aussie mates in London!! Caught up with Joe, Roly, Todd and Mandy for a beer and then dragged them all along for dinner with Paps, Sal and Coads. After the three weeks in Africa, it felt so good to catch up with mates and have a nice meal! Was also good that Paps and Sal are heading to Africa soon, so we could share stories and pass on our wisdom that we picked up on our travels hehehe ...

Saturday we spent in traditional Australian format - I caught up with Loz for breakfast and then went shopping, and Al went and watched the footy (AFL) at a pub with Paps ... ahhhh ....Al's note: stupid hawks.

Saturday night we had had enough and decided that regardless of the weather on Sunday, we were going out to see the sights of London. Miraculously, Sunday was the one day that we were in London that it didn't rain!! The day started with getting caught up in the changing of the gaurd at Buckingham Palace (seriously, if you're in the area, make sure you avoid it!!) and included Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Harrods, a ride on a big red bus, picadilly circus, Hyde Park and I'm sure the list would go on if I could remember!!

Monday we went shopping for a laptop - Al has decided that he NEEDS a little one to take with us so that he can update our blog on a word doco and then transfer it to the internet when we have access - if we do track one down, it will mean more frequent updates at least! And Tuesday we headed off for Prague. Als note: if i get a laptop it's better for you guys!!!!

We spent about a day trying to work out where to head next, being Summer, it's RIDICULOUSLY priced for any form of transport to take you on to the mainland (the train that goes through the tunnel to Paris was $1000 each!!), so Al finally worked out that we could get to Prague quite cheaply and then make our way down through Austria, Croatia and Italy to be in France for the end of August when we are meeting Emma and TG and a group of their mates for a week in a Villa. Not sure that it ended up that cheap in the end, what with the $100 it cost us to get to the airport, but still the cheapest none the less!!

See you in Prague