World Headquarters of the Verb, NZ

There is an inscription by the city to sea bridge on Wellington harbour front that ends by declaring that this is a city of action - 'the world headquarters of the verb'. I kinda like that. There is also a bit about not being here by chance and I kinda like that too. Being half a day ahead of folks back home I feel acutely aware that as my day is drawing to a close theirs is just beginning. They have time to spend which I've already spent, bets to place I've already made, minutes I've already wasted. Certainly makes me ask myself as I climb into bed - what have I done with my life today?

Newtown, Wellington NZ

Fourth night Wellington and it's hard to know where to start. Kinda like living in a GTA city with an Oriental Bay and Basin Reserve, skyscrapers at one end and long straight streets with taxi cabs and a map slowly revealing its self to me. Visted the unit yesterday. Staff seem really friendly. Scariest thing about the place was it's unfamilarity. That and the thought of finishing at 11pm. Now that's what I call a late early! (Can I come in at eight?). Also - 33% tax! B#$*!@ds!! "spose with all those thermal pools can't be cheap to keep the glaciers cool. Speakin' of cool - Cuba Street. Tattoo parlours and strip joints. Punk shop clothes and retro record shops that make me want to stop swopping files on the internet and start clutching vinyl to my chest all over again. Oh and Oirish pubs piping music out into street, warming the homesick hearts of those huddled outside for a fag. And maybe it's because Rocktober is just around the bend but I've notice this city seems to have an (un)healthy taste for the macabre including a Jack the Ripper play entitled 'Yours, truly' premiering next week and on Black Friday the 13th a zombie parade through the city streets. (Yes Milla, I do realise it will be full of goths). On a lighter note there is a tree climbing competition this Saturday and I would certainly be attending this evenings ukelele concert if I hadn't already a ticket for the World of Wearable Art show which looks spectacular. Oh, and it feels like Fall and the start of a new school even though I know it's not and I feel very happy and hope you do too. TTFN x

Coral Bay, Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia

I am pleased to announce that I am now a qualified open water suba diver! Spent the whole week diving and finished my PADI yesterday. I had anticipated a huge sense of relief simillar to how I felt after safely completing the tandem free fall i.e. I NEVER HAVE TO DO THIS EVER AGAIN but actually having got over a bit of a panic early on day 2 (Drinking cocktails at a Long Beach bar late into the night before? Guilty) I think I'd like to see what underwater worlds I can explore in NZ. This morning booked my boat back to the mainland. It's the end of the season here and most of the bars on Coral Bay where I've been staying have already shut up shop. Yesterday not long after my last dive a mighty wind came in off the sea and everyone ran for cover. Nothing to do but have a cuppa tea and a little lie down. My room is the last room on the left of the beach and this has suited me just fine - it has a sense of solitiude that I've enjoyed. Had hoped to spend the day reading Murakami on the beach but the weather is not so good. It's overcast and from where I'm sat I can see the surf starting to swell in the bay. Time to pack up and go. Expect to be in NZ come Monday. Love u all, Kingkongkahuna.

Retrospective: Heathrow Airport, UK

And who should I think I see ahead of me in the departures queue at Heathrow? Only a certain ex-girlfriend that's who! That distinctive gait and red dyed hair, I'd recognise her anywhere. Or at least I think I would. As some of my regular listeners will know, departure lounges and me haven't always seen eye-to-eye.

And there was a time when the synchronicity of such an event would have spun my head around. I would have attributed huge significance to such a coincidence. There's me embarking on a new life on the other side of the world but still dragging my baggage through check-in.

But not now. Actually it would have been nice to say hello. Actually I wonder if see wasn't off on her honeymoon - I'm sure I heard she was getting hitched. I didn't see her again in duty free and by boarding time I was beginning to doubt my own mind.

Though on Long beach that first bright day

I'm sure I saw her look away.

And the Monster House in the movie last night

Now what was the name of the man's dead wife?

Goodnight.

Bristol, UK

3 full days & 10 minutes to go b'fore departure. Had half-a-mind this morning for a new tattoo but went for breakfast instead. It was the largest Bedmiefriedbreakfast I have ever eaten. Going into town this afternoon to buy Francesca a dress for her b'day. More farewell drinks this evening, again in Hotwells but this time it's 'Happy B'day dear 'Cesca, Goodbye Kingkongkahuna, say Hello Kelly Walker' whose back from Oz after nearly a year. I see carnage and ceiling licking ahead x