I took the dogs to the park earlier, they don't seem to mind the cold at all. If I didn't have warming charms to rely on I would have had to bow out rather fast. It's hard to believe that Darby is almost a year old. No longer a puppy. Granted, he still acts like puppy. Then again, Scout still forgets he's as old as he is every now and then. It would be nice if they didn't have so many near tramples and collisions with the children also playing at the park though. I'd have to apologise much less.

The book is doing well, it's only been a couple weeks but I'm impressed with the interest. Ice worms were never this popular. I think I'm going to revisit Canada next. I am already used to the cold, anyway.

I'm pleased I'm back in time to share some advice, my Christmas present to everyone reading this. When you are in another country with friends who might not be familiar with the folkways of said place it would be prudent to keep on top of possible situations that could arise. Situations like offending burly Peruvians who resort to violence when upset, rather than words. Even though words hurt a lot less. And usually don't end in incarceration. It's good advice for anyone, I think.

I'm just even more thankful on this side of the trip that I finished all my holiday obligations early.

Despite the fact I have never been naturally inclined to it, this week turned into a sort of reflective period for me. I would have happily gone with out it but finished projects and anniversaries tend to be the sort of catalysts that set off pesky things like introspection. Generally, moving around frequently, both location and work wise, always served well to keep reflection away. But it's been almost a year that I've been living here, back in England and, more succinctly, on the Lane. That's significantly longer than any other stay anywhere else.

And for most of that time work has been, to put it lightly, far less exciting than I'm used to. Not that I don't enjoy writing articles or with my Grandfather, I learn more around him no matter what I'm doing, and the chance to organise my own scattered notions and notations has been magnificent. It's just that I can't help feeling that I'm missing out, staying here when there's always something going on elsewhere.

I'm officially done writing my new work and I'm a little unsure about it. The publisher assures me that Forget The Map: True Tales of Excitement, Discovery and Romanian Holding Cells will be much more well-received than my manual on ice worms. I'm sure at least with the general public he's correct. Granted, in Siberia that one went over exceedingly well. I won't say that getting all those experiences out wasn't both cathartic and a relief, but my own anecdotes are another step away from what I enjoy doing the most. It's been said the best way to get acquainted with a subject is to write a book on it and I think I did that. If only I could stop thinking of it as a bit of a step backwards. Honestly, I think I need to take some time and get out of England, at least for a couple weeks. Take a vacation from the relaxed pace I've settled into. I always enjoyed Peru this time of the year. Any time of the year, actually.

So I wonder, do you think if I take the twigs and pebbles back to the Dodderidge gnomes would they exchange them for my bed pillows? I've been making due with a spare pair that aren't bad but certainly not as comfortable as the nice down ones now serving to insulate the gnomes treehouse. My neck has been stiff for close to three weeks. I've been meaning to find a new set but now that I know mine are still out there I'm tempted to stage a raid. It's the principle of the thing, after all.

I still haven't come up with a costume idea for Halloween. I have a couple ideas but none that have really excited me enough to settle on one. Though, I still have a few days. Maybe I can think on it tomorrow at the bonfire, keep me entertained while I wait for the eclipse. If I don't use the excitement as a distraction for the gnomes, of course.

'I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air.'

The warmth of Africa, even if it was only for a couple days, made the cooling temperature here that much more noticeable. I'm not complaining personally. I've always liked autumn. The colours and brisk, not yet bitter, winds. It's a nice complement to spring and a welcome break after what has felt like a very long summer. Then again, any cool weather would be appreciated after a stay in sticky jungle air. Even if it was only for the weekend. Though...I'll admit it, I do love that as well. I guess I'm just not that picky.

One of my good friends, currently the junior director of the Preserve, got married this weekend. I can honestly say, since I do think of him as a good friend and therefore can say these sorts of things, that he is definitely marrying up in the world. It's good to see friends making moves with their lives, getting married, promotions, all those things life always seems to have in store.... Also it's just nice to see I've gotten an owl and find out it's an invitation to something and not my brother trying to borrow money.

I have no sofa. Currently. Last night when I went to bed I had a sofa. Though, it was also normal September weather and now there is snow. Snow and no sofa. I can't see a correlation, though it isn't for lack of effort.

Actually, the weather isn't too hard to figure out. The sofa...still has me stumped. It was a rather nice sofa, too. I had it comfortably worn in.

I probably should have written before I left the country, but I got so caught up in preparing and my excitement that it slipped my mind completely. And of course I've had a packed few days which kept this journal from my mind, even if I thought to bring it along. Granted, it was an afterthought but it made it in.

Perhaps I should have written yesterday, commemorate my birthday in writing but my journal, entire knapsack took a dive into the river. I was actually attached to it at the time and, oddly enough, jotting down a few notes and salutations wasn't at the forefront of my mind when we got fished out. We've stopped at the house of Raventós i Blanc, got here yesterday...after I dried out. They have a fantastic cava, a sparkling white, that is just...brilliant! I'm bringing back a case of their reserve. And I don't know if I can even do justice to the sangria if I try to describe it.

We stayed here last night and today and will probably get in a few hours of hiking after dinner, before setting camp. As it is, rivers and wine and headaches and all, we're pretty much on schedule. Which means I'll be back in London on Thursday. Sadly, I'd like to stay down here for longer, but I don't think I can get away with it. Nor do I really trust my brother to keep the boys that long.

Not that speaking and writing Swedish wasn't a diverting twist in my day, it's nice to have my normal everyday ability for English back. I have everything all planned out, finally, for my trip. I considered a trek through Slovenia, around Ljubljana and Mt. Mangart, that would have taken only a little longer. Mangart is the third highest mountain in the country and has spectacular views of the area, even Italy. I admit, hiking, caving, climbing and rafting all in one trip would be fantastic. But after some...helpful advice from friends, I went with the less ambitious hike through the wine country of Spain. Not as much climbing will be involved, but more wine will be, so perhaps that's for the best. I finished charting it out yesterday, I'll start in Bilbao, on the northern coast, and work my along the region and vineyards. There's a few pilgrim paths to follow and the river to raft at points. I'm quite excited. Both the boys are staying here, Grandfather said he'd keep them while I was away. Which is a better alternative than cooping them up with Al in his flat.

Speaking, of my dear brother...I have to find someone to thank him for being so kind as to sign me up for this owl match service. It was such a hilarious surprise...a flock of owls waiting for me.

My Life As A Dog: Thoroughly enlightening. I'd like to think that I can relate to Scout and Darby on a better level but, honestly, I think they were just annoyed. It's hard to get your ears and stomach scratched when your owner is canine as well. Personally, I had a great deal of fun and didn't know the park could be so thrilling.

That being said, it's hard to express just how wonderful it is to have opposable thumbs. I've appreciated my dexterity more this week than normally.

I know I still have more than a month, that I don't really need to get too worried yet, but I still haven't figured out what to do for my birthday come August. Usually I've always been abroad at the time and come home for a week. This year I'll actually be local when it rolls around...I feel like I should go abroad. I have a few ideas but nothing substantial. However, if anyone has ideas or a weeks worth of holiday time saved up, I'm open to suggestions. The E7 route goes from Portugal to Hungary, almost all the way to the Black Sea. That would be fun.

For a week I hadn't planned anything for it was surprisingly busy. Well, perhaps busy is not the most appropriate word. Harried might be more fitting. It didn't start out that way, but I suppose that's how it always lures me into trusting. Monday and Tuesday were relatively peaceful. Wednesday I should have realised things were turning downhill when I got awoken at 3 in the morning because my lovable brother needed to be bailed out for getting in an argument in a bar that led to drunkards duelling. was, essentially, himself. Granted, that wasn't a wonderful addition to my week, but it could have been worse. And now he owes me a huge favour. And of course Thursday was filled with a migraine once my mother found out and I had to hear how it's my fault if my brother messes up. A big favour. Huge. Friday's pixies weren't bad comparatively. At least not for me, Darby wouldn't come out from under the bed for the rest of the day after they tried to carry him off. He was still upset yesterday so I had to bring him with me to my grandfather's so I could work without worrying about him having a panic attack. But now I'm home and have nothing pressing, nothing flying about that's not supposed to and can just enjoy the take-away I picked up on the way home. I can't explain how appetizing pie and mushy peas sounds at the moment.

...Corn chips?

I can't believe this! I have this big flat and work I'm supposed to do? I should be somewhere more exciting. How can I do work when I have to make sure I'm ready for NEWTs ? I'm sure I can do alright but if I want to ace them all I should already be preparing not writing an article on...ice worms. At least I've gotten a lot done today. I did study for awhile. As well as run, go to the park, flooed home and bought new books. On top of that I think I really like my hair today. I looked a little...scruffy before. And now I managed to write in my journal. Not a bad day at all, very productive.

I really chose the wrong week to come back. Normally I'd think this an interesting opportunity for insight but...all I really want is a helpful potion and to be left alone in bed with a cuppa. And I don't think that counts as proper insight

I leave this place for a month and I come back to...alternating genders? That sounds on par for Euphoria Lane. It's nice to know that some things really are a constant in life.

It wasn't any easier coming back to an empty flat now I got the most disgruntled looks from Scout and Darby when I got in. Apparently they disagree with being left with my brother for extended periods. I suppose I've spoiled them lately, I can only blame myself. That or they think I need to shave like Ju I'm sure I can win them back over with steak though.

Peru was lovely. I haven't been back there since matriculation. It was also nice to be able to go on a trip with my grandfather for once, a work related one at least. And I brought back a case of camu camu. They make fantastic smoothies if anyone is interested.

I know it's been said many times now and I'm pushing the line of redundancy but... It's a JUNGLE outside!

This is fantastic! Can we keep it like this?

The talent show is tomorrow night, I believe it will be fantastic. I hope everyone that is available finds time to go. I'm really looking forward to both your dancing, Leo, and your Shakespearean dialogue Luna.

After some consideration and the decision that everyone on this street needs a long vacation or a wallop to the head I've decided to take a short trip. It's a commissioned research position. Nothing glamorous, unfortunately. I will be in Greenland camping out on a glacier for a week. Otherwise I'd bring back souvenirs for everyone.

As I'm sure Juliet will be back any minute to make me practice again, either that or try clothes on me for the show...I'm going to take advantage of her absence and meditate. It's needed. Greatly.

( Warded to Jules )

"The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils."

I'm looking forward to the talent show, I wasn't sure if I actually would. I never doubted it would be diverting but I'm actually excited. Almost excited enough to stop giving Jules a hard time about making me audition.

I'm really craving Indian now, Jules. I'm picking up prawn vindaloo, aloo gobi and saag bhajee. If there's anything else you want either let me know quickly or make your peace with it.

Luna, I hope you found all your animals alright. I saw a billywig near Matty's this afternoon but I couldn't catch him in time. Also, I owled Grandmum and she's excited for another visit.

Jules...where are you? I'm taking scout out for walk and then maybe to the Black Cat, if you want to join? Bring, Stew if he wants to join.

Charles Linthor is a brilliant man. It's absolutely fantastic. Imagine, sixty four colours at once! No wonder it survived undetected for so long. I can't wait to see one up close, they sound fascinating. I'll bet twenty galleons they evolved from knuckers

I'd love to know about the skin it sloughs off. Whether it retains it's camouflage ability...

Changing Rainbow Snake, brilliant!

Dear Stewart Ackerley,

I would like to take this chance to apologise in advance should an unfortunate situation befall us. Namely, my roommate killing yours. I promise, though it would be dreadful, there would have been little either of us could do to stop it.

Sincerely,
Rolf Scamander



Jules is currently on the couch in the sitting room huffing in anger and yelling at her journal. It would be amusing...If I was currently frightened I might get in the cross fire.

On that note....I'm out of tea. I'm going to the pub. Anyone else care to join?

To say the past weeks have flown by would be an understatement. I have been buried, almost literally, under papers. I guess organisation is a skill that I'd vastly under appreciated...until now, at least. And after creating some sort of calm in the middle of chaos, I visit my grandfather and miss a dragon in the neighborhood. Granted I wasn't here but it sounds like the worst victims were the buildings, thankfully. I'm sure the shoppe owners might not feel the same but a building can be rebuilt, at least.

If there's one thing I've come to expect of this street it's that even if you miss one event...there's one lurking around the corner. Hopefully it won't smell of flobberworms though. And for something nice and mundane, I think I'm going to go take Scout to the park. I know some dogs like to lay about indoors but not mine, and he's been glaring at me all afternoon. Not that I'll mind putting aside work for a bit. And anybody that would like to join us is welcome, of course!

( Warded to Luna )