I attempted my first mad-rush-for-the-tube-even-though-the-doors-are-closing...something I won't be trying again for some time as my body was nearly snapped in two! Everyone gives you a look on the train as if to say, "You are so not from here, or you would of pulled that off". Still flustered and making my way to a vacant seat, the train jerked and I ended up on the lap of a nice suited man - I believe I am still red. He was fine about it and I just buried my head into my book for the duration of the trip. I arrive at work to see that the pub is pretty packed - had these people not drunk enough over the long weekend, which in London I might add, includes the Thursday night (a lot of people take the Friday off for a head start) and is still in full force on the Monday night. GO HOME! If a party-enjoying Aussie can say these people get on it too much, it really indicates the enormity of how much and often Londoners do drink. It is not uncommon to see the same bunch of suits drinking at the pub nearly every night during the week, and we are not talking a couple of beers. How they back up is staggering. Situated in Piccadilly, we serve a lot of 'suits' i.e. wankers. It is not uncommon for them to rave on about their income then take the penny that is their change. A guilty few constantly refuse to look you in the eye, and continue their conversations as they tell you their large order, then get the shits at you for having difficulty hearing it. But Katie started back yesterday so things are looking up!

Weather is starting to change here and as with the change of season, I am getting sick. Let's hope it stays mild.

A big congratulations to my little brother Kieran for landing his first job, at the supermarket I used to work at nonetheless. Maybe Liam can get some inspiration off you...

Jugs of Snakebites, The Walkie on a Sunday night, starting fires and concussion - it all happened yesterday. I got hit in the head with one of the jugs accidently - it hurt quite a bit and left me with a tres attractive egg on my head - HOT! Kept on dancing and drinking with the best of them, trekked home, witnessed the accidental starting of a fire (candles near towels are not good) and thought that was the end of it. Then I woke up this morning and it all hit me - I have a newfound respect for concussed footballers. Still feel delirious now - actually quite an unsettling feeling. especially as I am under Katie's strict instructions not to sleep or lie down and that's all I want to do.

Ah, another story that only I can provide...

I have also set up another blog/picture site on bebo.com - http://windex007.bebo.com

Hopefully our photos will magically get themselves onto this site alot more swiftly than here - amazing how they have not shut down this blog after such comments...

Got my Vegemite finally...mmm...

THE VEGEMITE DIARIES' TRAVEL TIPS

Relish in our insider tips - in no apparent order

*Carry your Vegemite everywhere - preferably the non-breakable tube variety.

*You won't ever have enough money saved - deal with it and start the cash withdrawals on the credit card.

*Make sure you go on the bike tour in Berlin.

*Females should go to Turkey with a male travelling partner.

*You must go to the Amsterdam Sex Museum - 3 Euros well spent.

*Air-con does not always mean air-con in the standard sense of there-will-be-a-cooling-unit-at-your-disposal-in-your-room. It may mean one tiny communal area is air-conditioned or that there is a unit in your room, for which you must pay (alot).

*Be prepared for vast interpretations of the shower.

*Pack lightly and be prepared to throw things away.

*Invest in a Lonley Planet.

*Don't always trust your tour guide/travel agent.

*Americans are likely to piss you off - don't fight it.

*Devote a whole day to The Acroplois and associated sites, when in Athens.

*Absinthe is not your friend/

*Be sure to see the night into morning at Cavo Paradiso in Mykonos.

*Your Spanish DOES NOT improve with each alcoholic beverage.

*Go to both sites to see the sun set in Santorini.

*Avoid "risotto" in Prague.

*Do not stay at Gothic Point Hostel in Barcelone - you will contract something.

*Swim as much time as possible swimming in the beautiful clear water in Dubrovnik.

*Shop in Athens - it is cheap and fabulous.

*Opt for pension/villa/private house accommodation at some point.

*Visit (and laugh) the Baja Beach Club in Barcelona.

*Beware of the commercial element on Ios.

*Don't miss the Aya Sofia in Istanbul.

*Live off delicious and cheap Greek salads (especially if coming back to the mediocrity that is English food...).

*Don't ask complicated or intriguing cultural questions when drunk, especially when you both speak a different language.

*See ALL the Gaudi works in Barcelona.*Beware of the bees, not flies, that swarm the bins in Croatia.

*Avoid a big night out before a day of commuting - it is never going to be pretty, never.

*Be sure to go to a proper Turkish bath when in Turkey.

*You must see the Berlin Wall and associated displays and museums.

*Accept all freebies.

*If missing a friend or relative, forget the police and go straight to Greece, where the number of Aussie's must surely match that of the native Greeks!

*You can smoke anywhere in Europe so accept it or perhaps relish in it.

*Look every which way when crossing the road and be extra cautious in Greece.

*Tappas, tappas, tappas

*Take your camera EVERYWHERE - funny moments arise at strange times.

*Enjoy the free pouring in Europe as opposed to the measured standard drink size of everywhere else in the world.

*Be prepared to feel rather distressed when you have to come home and commence life as normal...

Rain, grey, chilly - SAY IT ISN'T SO......................

I knew London was bad in light of climate conditions but this is insane - it is not even Autumn. Oh how I will suffer. Sob.

Started at the other office officially today - so far so good. Big grocery shop tomorrow - out of Vegemite and craving it for breakfast.

Look out for the Vegemite Diary Travel Tips, coming very soon....

Housewarming was a success but a tad fragile today hence the entry shall be short so as not to hurt my already hurting head.

Everyone's friends are great and it feels good to be building up a network over here finally - not so much of the lone traveller anymore. Got to see Katie again and hear her wonderful tales about Croatia - me, jealous????

The house wasn't entirely destroyed althought somehow the toilet seat got broken - intriguing...

Finally I have arrived back in London, not to say that I am extremely over the moon about this, but it's nice to actually have a fully functioning shower that is hot and a toilet of which I do not have to squat or stand in. (Sharon my legs are in top condition because of this)

I arrived at 1 am in the morning to be greeted by large english policemen holding huge guns - have i been shut off from the world for too long? Yes I think so, I had no idea on my return that there had been terror scares and that 24 men had been arrested. I am such a BOOB as Kate would say.

Croatia was abosolutely wonderful as you can probably all tell from my lack of dedication to the blog. I have many photos which I will attempt to download as soon as I can.

Stay tuned for Tales of a Croatian adventure.

Ciao xoxox

Katie

Yes I have been slack but there really has not been too much to write about - London is as manic and grey as ever - that's correct, there is already a chill in the air. I am sure to freeze to death when the real cold hits...

I finally found myself a great place to live in none other than Shepherds Bush aka She Bu. A lot of Aussies end up living here but there is still a good cultural mix, it is central and the pub-to-person ratio is impressive. The house is a 2 storey place on a quiet street and it has just been refurbished as a share house, thus we are the first people living in it in this capacity. Therefore it is not trashed and we are all joining the house on equal footing. Only 6 of us - tiny share houses are known to squash in 10 plus people. And we even have a backyard, which I have christened the 'fauxyard' as it is simply some cement with more cement that is supposed to be some kind of flower bed. The housewarming is on sat so I hope to have pics, even though they are doomed to fail on this bloody free blog site!

Temping gig started as 2 days, then 4 and is now indefinite. Am doing admin and reception in a gov dept that deals with people starting their own businesses. I am located right near St. Paul's amidst all the 'suits'. Bit drab and far less alluring then the shops on Oxford Street, where the other office is, but such is a good thing when you are an inch from poverty. Actually bankruptcy, when you factor in that little credit card, now referred to as the bastard card.

An intriguing cultural anecdote since I have been back - the tube was really congested the other day with lines down on top of the general madness that is the underground. They always have a whiteboard at the station indicating any delays and rating the service etc. On this day they had the quite blatant message - 'Delays due to a commuter on the tracks'! Righto. Back home such incidents are covered up and rarely publicised - clearly not the case in England...

Tried to get more pics up yesterday and of course it all failed miserably - just believe I am trying.

Old flat mate has gone missing. I need to urgently access my clothes and documents that he was minding in the house. He did not leave the key with our mutual friend. We knew there was a planned trip back how to Boston but we thought he was back...

This is not a happy face.

If you find him, send him my way.

Surprise surprise - I have arrived back in London to a grey and overcast day - what an anti-climax after such a wonderful summer trip. Katie, I advise you to stay away forever...

Checked out the palace in Split last night which was amazing, even if people are allowed to sit all over it - preservation eh! Attempting to secure a bus to the airport this morning was as dubious as expected - all of us waiting at the bus stop for the 10am EasyJet flight to London (12-16 of us) buddied up and split cabs. Apparently the transfer bus only runs for Croatian Airlines flights - an enterprising way to keep the cabbies afloat, especially considering that the majority of flights out from Split are NOT Croatian Airlines flights. Needless to say the mood was not too chipper especially after the impromptu dinner party thrown at 11pm last night in my hostel - my room was right next to the kitchen. Fortunately I met a great irish girl to chat to and her sister is a journo so she offered to pass on my CV. She also gave me some great tips of where to go in Ireland and other places in the UK - native tips are always the best.

Am staying at Lara and Mon's - fabulous friends and lifesavers for their dear homeless and jobless buddy, me. When I have the cash, many beers are on me, girls. Checking out rooms and started the frantic scramble for a job - I am sensing I will be back at the pub very soon.

I was reminded of the profound words of Vanilla Ice (one-hit-wonder pop act of the 90's), as I took the bus from Dubrovnik to Split today - "Bumper to bumper, the avenue was packed". Yes it is a one lane road on the 5ish hour journey...intriguing concept...

It is hot and I have wandered the streets briefly and am now searching for jobs and a home for my dreaded arrival back in London tomorrow. Please cross fingers and toes for me!

Katie is living it up for one more week in Croatia, whereas I truly have to go and work in order to fund my Italy trip that rolls around in a very short 3 weeks. Insert nervous laugh.

Stay tuned for the impending tales of disgust, filth, ghetto experience and hopefully eventual success, as I begin house hunting.

I hope you have enjoyed our travels thus for - lots more to come and of course the photos are coming slowly but surely.

Curse reality, employment and the likes...grr...