Guide to Britain's Best Pubs

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/interactive/2009/jun/15/guide-britains-best-pubs

Scuba Diving - 60 feet down!

Dear England, right now I'm learning to scuba dive. I've always been a fan of snorkelling, tooling around at the beach as a kid along the rocks at some bay, looking for brightly-colored fish. It turns out scuba-diving is the best way to sea these critters, and perhaps a turtle or two. Why didn't I think of this before?

Well, the thing about scuba diving is that you have to get "certified" and the best organization to do this with is called PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors). It's the most internationally recognized - giving you the best chance of being able to dive in new places, on new adventures! I am currently learning through the National Diving Center in Washington, DC.

When you have all your equipment on, it can be pretty daunting. Actually, the hardest thing in scuba is probably trying to stay balanced, as the tank is pretty heavy. But you get used to this after a few dives. So far I've dived once in a swimming pool, and I'm only half way through my PADI certification. But in two weeks I'm off to Bainbridge, Pennsylvania to dive 60 feet in a murky quarry - the four "open water" dives I need to complete the course. Then it's Puerto Rico in July baby for some real tropical diving!

I added these pictures to feed my idea of how beautiful diving will be. As yet, I have no idea. But from the training videos, it looks pretty amazing - shoals of fish everywhere, coral, massive sea plants to get entangled in, and even the odd shark nosing past (do not disturb). I can't wait!

Crystal Skull!

Eat your heart out Indiana Jones, here's the real crystal skull! The above photograph is from the crystal skull at the British Museum. You can see it there any day for free. The skull was thought to be of Aztec origin, but is most likely German from the late nineteenth century. In other words, a fancy Victorian fake!

Check out all the details here! "Indy, you're looking in the wrong place!"

First Chapter Published!

Dear England, I'm pleased to say that online publisher Word Riot has kindly published the first chapter of my novel, The Pride and the Sorrow, with a nice endorsement at this link...Very nicely laid out too. Word Riot currently have about 9000 hits a month, so it's definitely pleasing to be part of their venture!

You can also download the first chapter for free here at Bookhabit.com, the New Zealand company currently promoting my book through their website. If you really want to hear me talk nonsense about the book, there's also an interview directly accessible here and at Review Yak.

Word Riot - good writing. no remorse!