Greetings.

Well it is the third day of my venture away from Australian shores, so I think it is about time I contributed to this site and posted it for people to read. In all honesty there is very little to report. A sixteen hour plane ride presents little in the way of interest. Although I was graced with a window seat next to the emergency exit door (extra leg room) and sat next to some happy fellows.

The most interesting aspect of the humble beginnings of this epic trip was the fact that my feet touching English soil (or tiles) brough an overwhelming sense of relief and joy. Those that know me well, will know the past year and a half has been an incredible rollercoaster, and I have never felt so content with life.

Not only that but for some strange reason 13 years out of England, with only small memories to remind me of my heritage I did have a very odd feeling of "being home" for lack of a better term. There is a lot of nostalgia running through my veins at the moment.

If your interested I am staying with family in the county of Bedfordshire, in the town of Meppershall. It is fantastic! about 45 minute drive out of London 30 minutes by the train. So I am currently country living and it is as expected, but still brilliant. Rolling meadows, paddocks with cows, horses, traditional farms, appropriate narrow roads, lots of green, excessive trees and crisp cold mornings.

Just in the village that I am staying in the houses, the corner shop, the town hall, the local drinking hole (pub) all have that classic English feel. So very genuine. And even in this small insignificant area the buildings and the community have such a rich, all encompassing history and culture. The thing I admire so much about this country is that it is ALL built upon such a past an intoxicatingly interesting set of roots that still defines what England is today.

Many of you back in Australia really questioned my want to visit this country, but for me I really enjoy this feeling of "finding my roots" and I'm certain that there is much for me to investigate and get lost in. I will however leave you now.

Iskandar.