Back surfing the tube!

Hi friends and family.

Since our last blog, Regy, Johanna and I traveled north with a guy we meet in Peniche. He had a rent-a-car too so we formed a convoy and blazed the highways.
Our trip north took us through lots of spots, we often darted out the coast then into the mountains when we thought there would be something we wanted to look at.

We spent a lot of our time in Porto, which is a really beautiful city both day and night. The city is split by the Duoro river which has good wine growing regions up river, and the city is home to some of the most famous port makers in Europe.

We did venture north east to a little mountain village of Geres, which has thermal spa's and is only 13k's from the Spanish border and some of the locals spoke Spanish instead of Portuguese. Our pensao was set into the hillside and was a nice retreat from the hail thunderstorm we arrived to!

The trip went really quickly and all too soon Regy and I were back on plane for London and Johanna flew back to Vienna. Regy and I have been back in London for 2 weeks now, rocking around in the tube and enjoying the night life. I have moved into my flat a lovely little place in Acton.

Reg's parents Graham and Linsay flew into London a few days ago, so Reg has been hanging with them while I went up to Derby to see my brother Iain, and his wife Jo.



The surrounding countryside of Derby especially the Peak district is really a wonderful place to be in, lots of trees and nice villages set alongside babbling brooks, which they call rivers here :)
I found myself inspired to sing the postman pat theme tune on plenty of occasions as we drove down the stone walled country lanes.


I had a lovely English experience, when Iain and I walked his friends retriever dogs through a neighbor's farm, plucking berries from the thickets, and crossing sties as we went.

In the weekend we had a great Sunday afternoon and evening at "The Old Ship" on the Thames with Reg's parent's, brother Angus and a good crew of kiwi's. Bags and Laura came down from Wales, and Reg has gone back up with them to spend the week in a cottage near the coast.

I had a good job interview yesterday for a junior editor position, so hopefully will hear back soon. I am hoping to head up to Wales today or tomorrow with a friend of Reg's. This travel bug is hard to shake I tells ya! The surf board is going with me as always, so more tales to come.

love to you all,

- Paul

(click on the photos to view a larger version)