There are many things one can learn on a train, firstly how easy it is to doze off in the gently swaying carriages, secondly how much more difficult it is to write in a notebook. Sway as they might, they are considerably less stable than an Airbus A320 for example. Lastly, I have learned that canals do indeed have bottoms and that they're not as far down as you'd think.

AM and I are most of the way to London via Virgin. Kind of apt really, as we are on the guest list for the launch of the next book to be released under Zoe Margolis' pseudonym "Abby Lee". At least I think it's a launch; it's certainly a very select event where a small number of people will be able to listen to a reading by Ms. Margolis and also get the opportunity to buy a copy of the book ahead of its official release on 5th March.

Given my normal place of abode, it was something of a chance affair for us to attend. Not having been in the UK during February for over 10 years, I'm assuming that it must have been a piece of divine intervention that has seen a friends wedding coincide with an an event by a sex blogger. Admittedly, I have had Zoe listed on Twitter for months and so know of such things in advance. One email and I'm on the list, two emails and AM can join in too. Does that count as a ménage a trois? The raised eyebrow to my right says perhaps not.

Outside, it's grey and overcast, no bright sunny day this, and the train still sways. An empty line to our left glistens with moisture from the drizzle. We rattle through some tiny outpost so fast, its name cannot be read, followed quickly by a platform that identifies itself as Kings Langley. We can't be too far away now, 25 minutes at most.

Other than an 18:30 event, what to do in London? We have around 6 hours to kill and it's not much warmer down here than it was back in Thornton-Cleveleys, though granted, the Big Smoke can beat the place we call home for choice, even if it doesn't have a beach that I'm aware of.

Harrow & Wealdstone... we're definitely getting closer. The train stations say it, so do the increasing number of walls that have been tagged. From what I can see, the graffiti in London is of a slightly higher quality than back home. I'm hopeful the rest of the day will match.

Time to go, lunch is calling me clearly....