Returning to the UK, one inevitably flys into Heathrow and then takes the Heathrow Express onwards into Paddington. Despite the all-too-common feeling of sadness brought about by the conclusion of a journey, I still find the fantastic Victorian architecture at Paddington a reminder that there is something special about Britain.

On Friday last week, I tried to capture just a little of that grandeur:

With a little more time on my hands, I’ve been enjoying sorting through old holiday photos. There remain many more albums to review — here is the first.

Autumn is commonly celebrated in Japan and, in the Autumn of 2007, Miho, Sarah and I journeyed to Nasu to enjoy the autumnal colours. The trip proved a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the splendid Japanese nature and scenery.

While I am oft vocal about my dislike of London, I have been trying to turn over a new leaf and enjoy some of the city’s more charming aspects.

One of these has to be Borough Market. Located in London Bridge, the food market runs Thursday through Saturday and offers a fantastic experience, both gastronomically and photographically:

May Day offered a special treat with various locals (and frequenters of the locals) dressing for the celebrations.

Much has happened since my last weblog (considered) posting so this collection of comments is by way of a summary of some of those events.

February took Junko and I to Hanamaki, the home of Miyazawa Kenji, for some rest and relaxation. It proved wonderfully slow and middle-aged place with a little snow remaining from the winter.

Since returning from a second trip to Japan this year, I have now decided that it’s time to leave Symbian (now Nokia) and move to pastures anew. It’s currently unclear where this will lead me but I certainly hope to tidy up a few personal software projects on the way; there are at least a couple of iPhone applications in the works and the Android Dev Phone 1 is sitting patiently on the side.¹

The last few months have been a fairly unsettled and over the last year and a half I have lived in more hotels than I care to consider. For the time being however, I have found myself space with Alan and Mike and enjoying feeling a little more grounded. Cheshunt is a gorgeous little commuter village outside London and the recent weather afforded me a collection of photos².

¹ More details coming soon.

² Anyone looking for photos hosted on MobileMe will be sorely disappointed. After far too long trying to maintain more than one system, I’ve finally given up and given my allegiance to Flickr.

When visiting Japan, one always finds something new and interesting.

This time — among other things — I was highly amused by this miniature bento comprising entirely of candies.