Day one of Contiki! An early start, too early, and hungover, too hungover. Two hours on the bus, an hour and a half on the Ferry across the English Channel and we're in France! Another five hours on the bus and we arrived in the capital, Paris! We've made some new friends of course- there's Dylan and Jay, the siblings from Melbourne, and Mel, "Milly", and Chiara, who're from Perth too. Kelly was right, it really is 99% Australians, the remaining 1% being from ...

I'm back in London land! After a steep £100 train venture from York and once again getting lost (in my hotel this time), I am back, and bathed, and ready to eat a small feast at the most fantastic Greek restaurant opposite the hotel. Aubergines, yeah! The rest of my day in York, yesterday, was wonderful. I went for a few rounds on the York wheel, 60m high from memory, and continued sightseeing in the rain. I cannot recall the names of all the places at the mo...

Northallerton! Was wet. And got me wet! But not in a good way. I was fully aware that the further north I went, the more rain there'd be to deal with- and with a name like Northallerton, the storm clouds had better not disappoint. I was in Northallerton for no longer than 15 minutes. Enough time to get from the train to 47 Thirsk Road, take a few snaps, ring the door bell (unsuccessfully) a handful of times, and venture back to the train station. If the weat...

I feel that York isn't something that needed to be upgraded. Old York is my favourite city so far- the people a friendly, the landscapes and architecture are exquisite, and the ice cream is delicious. It was raining when I first arrived, and like always, I got lost within five minutes of being off the train. I have my route to the hotel planned every time, and every time: "ooh, a castle/church/attractive black man!" and I wonder off in some unknown direction, ho...

Nottingham is surprisingly chavvy. Walking through some of the streets I'm reminded of the 102 bus stop in the Perth CBD: scary looking teen mums with piercings, tattoos, and a delicious looking ciggy hanging from the corner of their mouths. Shouting profanities at their own children and at passers-by. Luckily, they don't spend their time near the castle, which was the primary reason for my being here. It's enormous, with lovely grounds and a vast museum. It'...