On the move with a Mallard

Once again posting from a train, this one however is a new GNER Mallard train with wireless internet onboard. I've spent the week in Glasgow with Damien and Annmarie where I found their roll-out futon strangely comfortable. Although I may have suffered some broadband withdrawal symptoms (more confirmation of why I don't like dial-up), it was very nice to spend some time with their family. I also managed a visit to a cousin, Derek O'Rourke (probably not the right spelling, I'll let the rest of my family correct me on that). While I spoke with him on the phone last Christmas, I couldn't put a face to the voice. That's probably because the only time I saw him was in Australia when I was about 10 or 12 and mainly what I remember of him was playing America's Cup and him standing on my head. His family speak both English and German and it's quite odd to listen to conversations where each person speaks in a different language, sort of like listening to someone else talk on a phone.

My bags are fully laden with things to bring back to Australia. I even bought another bag while I was in Glasgow, a messenger/satchel bag depending on where you're from. It fits my laptop nicely along with other things and it is also currently packed to the zipper. It seems as if when I bought the bag, my belongings suddenly grew to fill the extra luggage space. It's a slightly better carry-on luggage than my backpack as things are generally more accessible plus there's a little padding for the laptop, but I might still need both on the plane.

I went to a German market in Glasgow as well; they always have one around Christmas, apparently a German tradition. But since I could barely carry what I already owned, I couldn't pick up any little trinkets or toys which left me with the food to try. My first taste of Sauerkraut was not what I imagined it to be, but still quite nice. And just like the French markets, they sell excellent potatoes. In fact there's a tray of potatoes in my bag, wrapped in foil ... hopefully not leaking. I would have eaten them earlier (I'm about halfway to London), but there's three others at the table where I am. I always feel a bit weird eating when others aren't, especially in such intimate surroundings. They're off at Leeds which is just coming up, so I'll get to check the state of my taters then.

I've got a week left before I go, which I'll spend in a hotel I booked off of wotif.com. It's very handy; even though it's the first time I've used it. They seemed to have found me a better deal than lastminute.com could. So while I'm there I have to fix up my tax, deliver a present for Mum and make sure I get my plane. I'll be right next to Paddington station, so it should be a quick trip to Heathrow from there.