I promised I would report on my 5 month European trip as I went along and am trying. Presently in Turkey, and every time I type a message, it cuts me off before I can post. So this will be brief and about theatre only. Our 9 shows we saw in order of favorites, from top to bottom: Lady in the Van; Sideman; The Graduate; Lion King; Whistle Down the Wind; Passion Play (at the Donmar); Mamma Mia; Comic Potential; and last, Spend, Spend, Spend. Incidentally we got tickets to four of the most sought after -- The Graduate, Lady in the Van, Lion King, and Mama Mia -- all at their own box offices one to two days before (returns) all within the first 12 rows and all wonderful center seats. It is not necessary to pay exhorbitant prices by ordering ahead or going through a service. The other shows we got tickets at the half price booth -- again, all wonderful seats. Theatre as usual is great in London.!! Hopefully more later about London.

Patrick, what bliss...nine London shows. Look forward to more details about the London part of our five month trip, lucky lucky you!

Where you'd been? How is Turkey? <BR> <BR>Take care of yourself!

Hi Patrick, Glad you enjoyed the London theatre scene, how was the Isle of Wight and did you manage a side trip to Winchester? Happy travelling.

The Isle of Wight was very interesting. Fortunately we were house guests in return for hosting a couple last year on a community theatre exchange in our home town. I think if we had gone on our own, we would have said, "how dull" and left, but Janette and Stuart filled our three days with tours around the island, visiting botanical gardens, and the incredible home of Queen Victoria, where she basically raised all her children and grandchildren -- a very interesting place. The whole island must not have changed a bit in the last 50 years or so. If you told me it was 1950 when we got there, I think I would have believed you. We stayed in their holiday house in the lovely little town of Seaview and had a spectacular dinner at the Seaview Hotel one night, also visiting their casually "posh" Seaview Yacht Club. And yes, we visited Winchester on our way to Heathrow before we flew to Istanbul. Enjoyed our walking tour very much (picked up a brochure at the tourist info office) and had a lovely lunch at the Wykeham Arms (thanks to the Fodorite suggestion). By the way we spend our last night in England at the Radisson Hotel across from Heathrow (pretty pricey), but rated by several polls as the best airport hotel in the world. It was, as far as I am concerned. And we had perhaps our best dinner in all of London that night in the hotel dining room. More later.

Patrick: What a wonderful start to the long trip! Have a great time and remember to keep us posted--we appreciate all your "notes" to home....

Patrick, I was very interested in your views of the Isle of Whight as they coincide with mine, it truely feels you have gone back in time when you cross the Solent. Pleased you liked Osbourne House and the botanic gardens at Ventnor are also a favourite of mine. Look forward to the next instalment.