Oasis on a rainy day makes me feel English

Work was pretty standard this week. It's strange working for a monthly newsletter. I've realized how much I miss daily news and the rush of adrenaline I get working on deadline.

On Thursday I went to the National Portrait Gallery for the second time. The Elizabethan exhibit was closed, but I'll try back next Thursday. I sat in Trafalgar Square for a while, just enjoying the 70-degree weather, the two large fountains and taking in the Londoness of the moment.

We went to visit the BBC and the Guardian on Friday. The Guardian's newsroom was contemporary and people-friendly, with comfy couches and chairs. I spent an hour talking to their Head of Sports aka Sports Editor, who gave me some good advice on becoming an international sports writer. We also talked about Memphis, the differences in the U.S. and U.K. and whether or not an NBA franchise based in Europe could work.

Friday night a few of us headed to Camden for a concert. The bands were good, and Elvia and I accidentally forgot to pay the cover charge. It was an early night though, because we had to be downstairs at 8 a.m. for a visit to Dover and Canterbury.

We saw the Dover Castle and a brief glimpse of the famous White Cliffs. The Castle was amazing though. It's seen hundreds of years of warfare and been a refuge to many. I love visiting art galleries and museums, but visiting a castle seems more meaningful.

Driving up to Canterbury, we visited the Canterbury Cathedral and stopped by a pub to watch part of the FA Cup. Small English towns have become a favorite for me.

I'm pretty sure I, like most of the country, am glad Britain's Got Talent is finally over. If I see one more headline about Susan Boyle, I will be tempted to return to the States.

Not sure what our plans are for today (Sunday). The weather looks beautiful, and there's a Taste of Spain festival on Regent Street. The stereotype of rainy London has thankfully not been true this trip, or at least on the weekends. Let's keep the streak going.

Weekly superlatives:

Worst part of the week: Realizing I have so much I want to do and see and so little time to do it.

Best part of the trip: Taking it all in, as slow as molasses.