Most of you will know that there was a GA meet in London this weekend. For those of you who followed the evolution of the idea to meet, originally, it was emulated who suggested that it would be great to get all the UK members together. so the first things is; UK people were in the minority. In fact, we had a pretty diverse coverage (forgive me if I miss anything):

• England
• Czech Republic
• France
• Australia
• Finland
• Netherlands
• And most exotic of all.... Deepest darkest Wales!

It was great to see so many people coming together to spend time with each other!

Now, for myself and Paya, this weekend was as much a romantic getaway/Tourist mania weekend as it was a GA meet. I arrived on the Friday having endured a less than pleasant journey from Lancashire, and came into euston station. I had paid for First Class so that i could use the free wifi on the train. However, if I thought that having a first class ticket meant "first class service" i was to be bitterly disappointed. As it happens, I ended up using the free wifi to send a complaint to Virgin trains while i was still on board.

However, arriving at my hotel, I was confronted with what has to be one of the most beautiful rooms I have ever stayed in. If anyone is visiting london and needs the name of a reasonable hotel at a reasonable price, send me a Private Message - and you can have my recommendation. The room was laid out in cherry wood furnishings, with a bathroom of white tile and black marble floors. it was stunning. Our view looked out onto a leafy square to the rear of the hotel. You would not have thought that you were in the middle of a busy metropolis.

I went to pick up Paya at the airport, and arrived just as he was coming out of the arrival gate. we took the train back to Liverpool street, and after a brief ... err.... delay, in our hotel room, we went on a walk. We crossed the millennium bridge and walked along the river towards westminster, and experienced the city lit at night. We crossed a number of places where the scenes from LOVE ACTUALLY were filmed. We shall skip over my fear of bridges over water..... Nobody needs to know that I was hyperventilating on the bridge.

Saturday was the day of the meet. Everyone was meeting at the British museum, but I had acquired some tickets for a tour of the Palace of Westminster (parliament) for myself an paya. Afterwards we walked along Whitehall (with a short delay caused by a torrential downpour of rain, which lasted 20 minutes: we sheltered in the underground), and along the Mall to Buckingham Palace. At this point we were very late, and arrived at the restaurant to find a very hungry group of 11 GA members waiting for us. We had a great time with them, a nice meal and a nice walk. Unfortunately, Paya and I had plans again, and so we left the group to their plans and headed for the Theatre.

This is where Paya and I recieved our Gay card!! We watched CHICAGO (the last showing in London) and it was AMAZING. So many really hot guys wearing very very little.... and what they were wearing was see through..... :drool:

Sunday saw us taking photos at the greenwich meridian (the centre of World Time), and then a visit to the tower of london. No self respecting gay guys could have gone to london without going to see the amazing diamonds, rubies and pearls on display in the jewel tower.... The british Crown Jewels really are a sight to behold. Unfortunately, no pearl necklace.....

We made a breif sojourn to Harrods for some supplies (tea for paya, coffee for me, chocolates for both)... and then met up with the GA crowd for an evening meal (we were late again ). It turned out that they decided to spend their tourist time on a crawl of bars and clubs. What they got up to that afternoon is obviously their story to tell, but ive seen pictures that suggest it at least parially involved squeezing everyone into a phone box, and Marzipan carrying someone on her back....

Paya and I ended up rounding off the evening taking night photos of Westminster and the London Eye. We were very lucky in that Nephy joined us too. We have a very nice picture (not to be published ) of the three of us in front of The Palace of Westminster.

This morning saw Paya and I enjoy a continental breakfast, before some last minute photo taking at St Pancras station (the refurbished Hotel there is a sight to behold).... before a devastating goodbye at Liverpool Street Station.

I sit now in the first class lounge at euston waiting for my train. Im very early, but I figure i will take as much advantage as I can of the free drinks and snacks, to make up for the terrible outwards journey. Here is hoping that the homeward stretch will be much better...

Paya and I are back in London in November and thoroughly excited by it. The GA crew are talking about a Paris 2012 meet... but based on finance concerns, I'm more inclined to a Skegness 2012 trip myself. Though..... there may be a reason that Paya and I cant make the 2012 meet...

365 days..... And I make the permanent move to the czech republic. That is our timeline, and I cant wait. And although I'm trying to spend more time away from GA to experience.... you know... REALITY more ... I will always hold affection for the place that brought me and my Paya together.

Love you all

West