August has arrived and though some of us lazier posters (me) have managed to holiday on and off for four months, the normal coupla-weekers have disappeared to summier climes (though one of our regular readers is in Suffolk).

So where are you (or were you)?

Is it nice? Are you sporadically online (one regular has told me he can only be texted)?

Staying here in sunny East Surrey - simply ripping. Ingrid Bergman once stayed here; her friend Leslie Howard lived in Westcott.

I am off to Moldova in a couple of weeks. I look forward to touring the vineyards and hopefully not coming across a horde of barbarian Brits on the streets!

Was also in Edinburgh for the Tom Waits show. He was utterly captivating; a performer par excellence

You a fan of his JK?

sunny ravena Italy and we do have internet access.

Copenhagen. Scandinavia is wonderful at this time of year.

Tom Waits - magic, Liam.

Edinburgh is wonderful too; many friends are there at the festival.

I was going to attend myself but they moved the dates of the Film screenings.

By the way, do take a peek at my Marrakech experience!

www.kingofhits.co.uk/content/view/736/47/

I think most readers will understand my little cryptic title there as I continue my back packing around paris!

The credit crunch is having a deletorious effect on the whole holiday-lets go to Europe and beyond on cultural and less lofty pursuits is rapidly disappearing.

So you fortunate souls who are still affluent enough to travel overseas will have the benefit of less mindless english calibans roaming the beaches and bars, not to mention the galleries of various capital cities.

Me? I stay here with the odd domestic sojourn around our green and pleasant land.

Come up to Edinburgh JK. The city has a real buzz at the moment and some of the shows this year are just amazing! You're friends will confirm this along with the crap weather. Credit crunch? What credit crunch??

Yes Angel I think as the credit crunch worsens, creativity soars and many true artistes are happy to do it for free (see Vile Pervert: The Musical on www.VilePervert.com

Will be staying up in the Lake District. Why go abroard when the best scenery in Europe is here?

I know a great little holiday cottage to rent:
www.pikehillbarn.co.uk

The "exchange" rate between the Euro and pound, was virtually non existant in any savings at all, quite shocking actually.
The UK had just as well have the Euro to be honest as it all seems to be levelling out in numeracy.

(A side note, try not to eat at the kind of Italian place at St Pancras, before boarding the Eurostar. We actually achieved the rare feat of getting our money back without argument , as the staff could not disagree with our thoughts on the food.
Truly awful. Why is the world suddenly dribbling pesto and parmesan on everything these days when it is not required in the flavourings?)