Value for Money : 1

Cleanliness : 2

Friendliness : 3

Noise : 3

Well, London is a bustling city and a half, and truly enormous. Arrived on the day of the world cup final and to a hostel full of Australians near Earl’s Court, and it was a good start to the country. Transport on the tube, London’s underground train network can take you anywhere in the city, but at 3.80 sterling for an all day zone one and two ticket it is no bargain at all.

Unfortunately I didn’t get the most out of my one time in London. Things like the Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben or Nelson’s statue were not visited. After continuous sight seeing something different had to be done.

The West End – the theatre district – is a place I visited a few times. Actually saw 4 shows whilst in London which was pretty much the extent of what I saw in the city, apart from a lot of shops which fill city. This is not a city for bargains though, most of the prices leave you quite short of breath indeed. I spent a horrendous amount of money in my four days. What did I see?

Yes, I think we all know this one. Certainly well done and full of acclaim from people I met who had seen it, this cost me 12.50 which is not a bad price at all. I may have been expecting to see the movie on stage, which didn’t quite happen, and the girl who played Sandy did not impress me, but Darren Day was very good and the production tight. 6 / 10

This is one I'd never seen before, and thoroughly excellent, tight, there was an understudy on who you’d have thought played the part every night. Brill. 9 / 10

Another I'd seen before, this was a very polished performance with new dialogue in evidence. Was VERY far away for my 5 quid last minute seat (now THAT´S value) but it mattered naught. The dancing was fantastic, and it has been regarded as a top production. 9 / 10

Hopefully everyone remembers this one (in film form with Mr Rex Harrison) from their childhood. It was very different production, and too be honest aimed at the younger children out there. All the creatures were made from Jim Henson´s Workshop, so that should please Muppets’ fans out there. It was a top little production, the animals were incredible, definitely a bit ´kiddy´ for me, but worth seeing. It starred Phillip Schofield in the lead role and also the voice of Julie Andrews as Polynesia the parrot! (cost : 15 quid) 7 / 10

This by no means even summarises the choice of theatre – musicals for the main – in London. Mamma Mia (the ABBA musical), Miss Saigon and Saturday Night Fever were amongst the others I would have loved to have seen, but the money and time only goes so far. You would have probably a choice of thirty musicals on at the same time, plus many more straight plays.

This place was well worth the visit, even though I didn’t have nearly enough time for it. The history of films and Television basically, with a definite British slant. Its beginnings of film section are excellent and there are exhibits into different cinema types, the Russian section is particularly interesting. Bumped my head twice on the inside of a Dalek (not a highlight) and they had a temporary exhibition for the Carry On films which was, well, interesting.

The Glastonbury festival, for those not aware, is in some ways England’s answer to Woodstock. I was fortunate enough to meet some excellent Brits in India, a long time ago, and get invited to this event. Well, who was there? There was Björn Again (ABBA cover), Bare Naked Ladies, Skunk Anansie, Blondie, REM, Ash, The Cardigans, Lenny Kravitz…… and soooo many more. It was set in fields that stretched forever and more than 100,000 people turned up. The weather was pretty good (on English standards brilliant) and there were circus acts, theatre and a lot more than just bands. I saw a comedy improvisation show by some of the guys from Whose Line Is It Anyway? Which was tops, and if I had to pick a top band/musical performance it would definitely go to Lenny Kravitz. And the company was great too……

Value for Money : 1.5

Cleanliness : 3

Friendliness : 3

Noise : 3

Bristol is a city in the western section of Britain with a charm of it’s own. Perhaps a typical city near the sea with a few canals and cobblestones, it provides the perfect place to disappear to in the midst of a hectic trip around Great Britain and Europe, as it did in my case. Despite rather ordinary weather, and a general lack of things to do, I spent a good day walking around this surprisingly pleasant city, which comes across much smaller than it really is, and had quite a pleasant time. Needless to say it has its share of pubs and eateries. For me, it mainly provided some recovery time from Glastonbury festival.

Value for Money : 3.5

Cleanliness : 2.5

Friendliness : 4

Noise : 3

Cork is a very pleasant town indeed and an ideal place to visit Blarney Castle from. It is very hilly and has quite a few pubs as well as a top hostel where I stayed. No, I did not go to Blarney Castle. Cork happens to be home to quite a few Aussies and I ended up spending the day I planned to go kicking the old Australian Rules footy around. Oooops, but I must say at this point I am well past seeing ´sights´.

Value for Money : 3

Cleanliness : 3.5

Friendliness : 3

Noise : 3

The capital of the Republic of Ireland, you can sense plenty of history just walking into the GPO, built on the site of the one which was destroyed in the fights in 1916. Trinity College houses an old, old Gaelic book of significant importance – The Book of the Kells. The campus itself is really nice to walk around and very well maintained. All in, Dublin is quite a charming little place. Yes, lots of nice pubs with traditional Irish music abound in Dublin.

If you’re looking for a pub to visit, I can suggest anything along Temple Bar – in particular temple bar. Two things you won’t be short on are places to drink and people to drink with. A bubbling friendly city.

Value for Money : 3

Cleanliness : 3

Friendliness : 3

Noise : 3

Edinburgh is, well, the windiest place I’ve ever been to, and it isn’t too cold in the summer either. I'd have to say that it’s colder than Melbourne is at the same time of the year (and Melbourne's in winter!). However, It isn’t very big but a truly charming little place and very beautiful place, with a lovely park (Princes' street Gardens) and Edinburgh Castle up the top of quite a hill over looking the city. What did I see there? Not much, you know, just the castle, and Star Wars Episode 1 on its first day of European release, the 15th of July. Yes, I liked it. Empire is still the best though. This is a thoroughly enjoyable (but windy) city to stroll through at your leisure.

The main point of interest in this city for sure, you can’t miss this one. You get a free CD guide to the place which is very good indeed – unfortunately it does get a little tedious, but whatcha gonna do? There is so much history in the place it is incredible, from prison cells to royal quarters and you can even catch a glimpse of the Scottish crown jewels, which include the stone used for coronations. There is also a giant canon to see as well which could fire many miles. If none of this interests you, the view over the city is magnificent.

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