Because I missed Heather so much on the 9th February, about a week after her birthday I went out to visit her for 3 weeks, encompassing valentine's day - I received my first ever valentine's card, along with a cute little ladybird watch keyring (I've been carrying the key-ring ever since). we had a wonderful weekend in New York, ice skating in Central Park, visiting the Statue of liberty and doing the tourist bit, some of my photo's can be seen here. As a combined birthday and valentine's gift I bought Heather a nice white gold necklace with knots on. After 3 weeks and 3 weekends of being with heather, I had to say good-bye again, and made my way home, but I had a great time being with her and visiting places. Our trip to new York was the first time I'd ever been away with someone, and I hope we go away together again many times.

Back in england, I had a trip to London to secure my Chinese visa for my fast approaching world tour, and then returned home to go to the Ideal Home exhibition where I bought a WWF (that's the wrestling one) toothbrush for Lovely Heather, and an ankle chain too. I then posted these items, along with a jar of custard, to New Haven, CT.

Just before our tour we had a busy weekend of partying, with a farewell do in Freda's and Bournemouth, and then we set off to explore the world. We were away for 6 months, and took in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia, Pacific Islands and North America, full detail of the trip can be found here. During the last months of the tour I took time to visit heather again (twice!) - it had been 5 months since I had physically been with her, although we kept in irregular contact as an when I could find a phone and phone card, and so it was very nice to catch up with her. We had another great weekend away, this time visiting Washington, DC.

I am now back at home, beginning my post university career proper.