A real highlight of the holiday for me was when I got to go to the Salvation Army corps/church in Lisbon. I had a great time, met some very friendly people and came away all the better for it.

Another day, another view. This was taken from the Belem Tower in, well, Belem.

The Castelo de Sao Jorge sitting high on the hill above central Lisbon.

A view of Lisbon from the King George VI Park, near Marques de Pombal.

In Portugal for a few days with the family. We arrived late afternoon, and decided to go for a little stroll around Lisbon's beautiful city centre.

I keep finding paint on me after yesterday!

Today we set off for Walthamstow for a day of decorating and cleaning at the Salvation Army there. It was a fantastic day, and you can read here to find out more!

Sang six songs at the Salvation Army in Hadleigh today, and was for the first time accompanied for half of them by my brother on guitar. He did really well. Singing so many songs is hard work, but a lot of fun and it seemed to go down well :)

What Was I Thinking: Part II Again, I have absolutely no idea why I took this photo or what it's supposed to signify... I can only apologise and promise that I will try not to let this happen again :)

Yet another sad day...

Look how much I lived on the edge today!

I have one week in which to learn Portuguese. I reckon I might do it!

In a big to make my life more exciting, look how long I left it before taking today's photo! :D

Yesterday at the Army people kept asking whether or not I'd seen the Open University programme about the Faroe Islands. I hadn't, so I went home today and watched it online. And it's made me miss it so much! (I'm also very impressed with how many people watch Open University programmes!).

What Was I Thinking: Part I - I have absolutely no idea why I took a photo of the clock and ceiling in our dining room. No idea at all. Any suggestions? (This is what happens when you update the blog a long time after taking the photo - there was probably some really deep meaning behind this shot).

Went to a CD launch for Mel Wiggins tonight at Sutton. It was an excellent evening, and she was great :) (Wow, book launches, CD launches - I'm living the high life!).

Sus and Katie :)

Today I had to sit and have a big sort-out of all my mitchenstein photos - I'm a little behind with putting them online! (Haha, John said 'little behind'!).

Aldgate Jungle Underground Station

ANOTHER walk! Sun above the shore. I've become VERY arty now, haven't I? It won't last.

Another walk. The yacht masts at dusk.

A new bench for the garden. I'm the one who lugs the flippin' thing up the High Street, and Paul's the one who gets all the glory for putting it together... Man, it's been hot today.

A nice family meal at the Rettendon Bell in, well, Rettendon.

I've decided to start going on walks, like I did when I was in the Faroes. When I was there, I was constantly thinking about what might make a good photo and what might make a good walk. So I've started doing the same here. The seafront.

And again.

I am absolutely shattered. Music School has COMPLETELY taken it out of me this year.

Hamburg Central Railway Station. My favourite hangout when I lived in Hamburg and had no friends (don't worry, I got some) - it was good to see it again!

The psychedelic lamp at my friend's flat in Hamburg. Pretty cool, huh?

This was taken at about 5am. It's tradition on the last night of music school to attempt to go straight through without going to bed. Heavy going, but when it looks like this, it's kinda worth it.

Sarah and myself after a trip to the ice-cream parlour (after the final concert). Going to Germany just wouldn't be the same without it!

CLASSIC! Tonight we played 'Beat the Drum'. Oh yes, there's actually a Salvation Army board game. It's from Canada I think, and contains fantastic squares such as 'You were late for the morning meeting. Go back three spaces.' Immense!

Start 'em young!

Sarah and Tim with their, and I quote, "Postmodernist Tambourine March". Pretty cool, but I'm just glad some of the older people there didn't understand the lyrics...

I'm sorry, but the view from my room sucks this year. Last year I had this. This year, my balcony isn't actually off the floor, and it's surrounded by trees. :(

OK, this is a photo of a photo my friend Raphael took, but I thought it was pretty cool. Everyone thinks it looks like a photo from a Salvation Army magazine - I'm the guy who's come to the Army for help and my friend Sarah is giving me a listening ear. I also like it, because it looks like I think she's a moron.

It has absolutely CHUCKED it down today. Proper torrential. But I'm not sure how well that comes out on this picture... But take my word for it.

Chilling by the lake. And realising that others had decided to turn my legs into a garden.

I don't care how punctual German trains are. If they only come twice an hour, it doesn't really matter, does it? Waiting at the airport station. For a long time.

Bag packed again and tomorrow morning (at 3am) I've off to Music School in Germany. Highlight of my year!

Getting artistic on the train home...