Well I am back from my whirlwind adventures in the UK, and finally after 3 days, over the jetlag. It was a great 30 hours in Singapore, and further eight days in the UK (5 in Bishop Auckland and 3 in London).

A few things I learnt along the way about London;

1. London is so expensive compared to northern UK
2. Number of times I was asked for directions: 7
3. Number of times I asked others for directions: 2
4. If I thought there were lots of pubs in Bishop, there’s more in London
5. Number of times I was asked if I wanted drugs in Camden over 2 hours: 4
6. Longest I had to wait for Tube or Bus: 3 minutes
7. Number of times I was mistaken for an American: 1
8. Tube stations just in circle line: 27. I visited more than 10 of them
9. Number of times I heard ‘Mind the gap’ on the Tube: at least 50
10. Favourite attraction: Tate Modern Gallery
11. Least favourite attraction: Buckingham Palace
12. Number of times I was stopped by police for taking photographs: 1
13. Number of bins I saw: only about 4 (they have a serious lack of them)
14. Number of times I heard ‘Do not leave your baggage unattended’ on tube: at least 50
15. Number of Australians I met (besides Meg, who I was staying with): 2
16. Number of photographs I took in London: 423
17. Number of pubs I saw named with mention to Lion: 4 – White Lion, Red Lion, Silver Lion and Lions Head

If I thought 5 days wasn’t long to explore the UK’s north east, then 3 days was nowhere near long enough to explore London. Mind you, I went to at least 15 attractions in 2 days, and caught at least 30 tube and bus rides.

Photo: The famous Prime Meridian line (0 degrees longitude) Greenwich.

So that was North East England. I am currently at Victoria Station, after catching a 4 hour train ride down to London, ready for a few days of more tourism before hopping on a plane back to Perth.

Thanks so much to everyone in Bishop Auckland for making me feel so welcome - especially Karen and Richard, who let me into their home - I hope my constant photo taking, questions about everyday english life and aussie twang didn’t drive you too mad.

My brother Charlie, married Becky yesterday in a moving ceremony at Bishop Auckland Castle, a castle built in 1722 - well before Perth was even founded. A great time was had by all.

Photo: Inscription, Bishop Castle, Bishop Auckland

Here’s a few things I have learnt about England, but given I have only spent time up in County Durham so far, I’m disclaiming with N.E England.

1. They do have fine weather sometimes (the image above is not enhanced - they really do have blue skies).
2. There are gypsies. Honestly; real gypsies, on horses and caravans parked on the side of the open roads.
3. I’ve been able to understand just about everyone I have met, drunken publicans and middle aged check out chicks aside.
4. There really is a pub on every corner, and then somewhere in between corners too.
5. The local markets (as seen in photo above) have a stall selling images of Sydney opera house and bridge.
6. Deodorants and aftershaves are called ‘smellies’ here.
7. There are more than 300 channels on SkyTV here.
8. One of those channels broadcasts live SMS and MMS coming in from viewers…weird.
9. Of all the bobbies (Police) I have seen so far, only one was wearing their traditional hat.
10. There are an amazing amount of teenage girls pushing prams. Seems teenage pregnancy is a huge issue here.
11. History here is measured in centuries, not decades like we do in Australia.
12. Every single food establishment (including roadhouses) cater for vegetarians, many of which have at least 10 items on their menu.
13. Everyone knows our cultural television exports, Home and Away and Neighbours. I have been working on my Alf Stewart voice at the pub.

I’m sure there are plenty of other interesting facts, but I’ll leave them for another day.

Photo: Market Square, Bishop Auckland, County Durham.