Saturday 18 April - Portsmouth (en route to Paris)

The volcano ash cloud is creating havoc to travel into and out of the UK. Sue and I tried for ages yesterday to see if we could get a seat on anything going to France or Amsterdam today - with little or no luck in a lot of cases. I did find some, but they were horrendously expensive.

So we started looking well outside the usual area, even as far afield as Newcastle, hoping to get a ferry to Netherlands. In the end I chanced upon a ferry from Portsmouth to Cherbourg - and got a seat. Booked for the wrong day of course in my haste to get a seat, but on getting here I transferred it to a ferry today anyway so all good.

At least I've managed to get something, and will be in Paris for my hotel booking some time tonight.

Had a great couple of days in London though. Spent an afternoon in the Science museum which is nowhere near as good as the ones in Washington and Chicago I'd been to. Met up with my friend Sue who I'd not seen for 10 years or so and took in some art show openings. Lovely chatting with people, and her husband is delightful. Never thought Sue would be one for getting married, but they suit each other perfectly.

Spent a day in the Natural History museum - again, although really interesting it's hard not to compare with New York's one and the Smithsonian - and again, the comparison is a bit pale. Though the Darwin centre is truly interesting and engrossing.

Sue took me over the Millenium bridge to the Tate Modern - some lovely stuff there and a very very pleasant wander. Great view from the member's lounge upstairs over St Paul's and the Thames. Visit to Brick St and an old pub before Indian for dinner and more good conversation and time with friends.

I'm running out of time again now, but will add more when I next can get to an internet connection.