h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

On Friday 12th March after w*rk I got the train to Oxford where I met with an old uni friend who's doing a Phd there. We had a bit of a dinner party and played board games.

I stayed in one of the college rooms, just a few doors down and opposite the Ashmolean. It had an ensuite but instead of being a seperate room it was essentially placed in one corner. The door to the en-suite had no handle on the outside so it was impossible to close. This wouldn't have been a problem for me except that the light in there was started by a motion detector and didn't go off for at least ten minutes - so I was trying to sleep despite the light I couldn't turn off streaming into the room from the door I couldn't close!

On Saturday morning I eventually found the college hall where I was served a cooked breakfast. Then we had a bit of a tour round the city, including the view from a hill and some gorgeous ice cream.

Then it was time to get the train to London. I was due to meet an old school friend at Paddington but issues with the tube meant we rearranged and met at Leicester Square. We picked up cut-price tickets to Stomp then wandered off down Whitehall. We watched the Horseguards going off duty then walked down past the Houses of Parliament, over to the South Side of the river and along South Bank and Embankment past the London Eye. We headed back over the river and walked into Covent Garden, where we had dinner in a little Italian place. Then we headed to the theatre for Stomp. It was in Ambassadors Theatre which is pretty small but is directly opposite the Ivy. (No celeb sitings unfotunately!)

I've seen Stomp before but it was years ago. I highly recommend it to anyone. It's incredibly high energy, great fun and is actually quite funny as well. We got out quite early and headed back to her house where I slept on the sofa bed.

Sunday morning dawned and I met up with other uni friends at South Kensington tube. There was some debate about whether to go to the Natural History museum or the Science Museum; eventuially the Science Museum won and off we went. Impressive, although a lot of the interactive exhibits were closed. Then we went to one of my friend Michael's favourite places, a little American-style diner called Eds where they do a great deal - burger, chips, onion rings and coleslaw for just under a tenner! Not bad at all, especially at London prices!

After that we went to through Green Park up to Buckingham Palace, then through St James' Park to Trafalgar Square. There was some St patricks day event going on so we didn't hang around and trekked off trying to find a recommended coffee shop. We found it but there was no space so we ended up in a Starbucks. A quick drink and it was time to go home - which took nearly four hours thanks to engineering work!

I was extremely tired and my bank account took a pounding but it was a fantastic weekend! The rest of my week was extremely busy too but that is too much to relate in one journal - this is a bit epic already!

Anyone interested in photos can find them on my Flickr at www.flickr.com/elentari86

Wounds like a great weekend, Elentari. I've been to ost of the places you mention (in London). Not sure I'd like to watch Stomp, though. Isn't that a dancing show?

Lovely journal Elentari. Saw your photos which were brilliant. You certainly get around. Glad you had a nice weekend. I can't do trips like that any more so it was nice of you to share your photos with an armchair traveller

Websailor

Thanks!

Stomp is sort of dancing but it's more about making music from everyday implements - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu15Ou-jKM0 will give you the idea!

Oh, I loved that Elentari. Thanks for the clip. I have watched similar stuff before and I think it's great. It touches the 'primitive' in me I think

Websailor

You're very welcome. It is a fantastic show.

Busy busy - off to the Lake District today so I won't be about!

I'm too late as usual Have a good weekend and bring back some lovely photos as I am sure you will.

Websailor

Still here (leaving about 11).

It's the whole week! Hoping to get some great shots but the weather forecast if awful - I'll probably write a journal about it but keep an eye on my flickr next weekend for uploads.

Will do. Hope the forecast improves. Pop in to THE shop and say hello if you are near enough

Websailor

*wonders if her Entry on Oxfordshire was useful*

Hi Elentari

I enjoyed reading about your travels, it makes me want to get out more and see more of the wonderful world in which we are lucky to live in.

Here's to many more exciting adventures

Hi Opti.

I must confess it didn't occur to me to look anything up here, because my friend had some plans for us.