Before I came I wondered, guessed and even fantasised about Los Angeles, Hollywood and surounding areas and I thought you might like to know a thing or two; that's all it will be a thing or two.

Now why should I know so much about LA - as we got to call it -and why should I be setting myself up as some kind of expert? Well I'm not an expert but I still see things here like a child as I am relatively new to the place and I've been here long enough to know it very well.

Los Angeles has more theatres per capita than anywhere I know, more book shops, coffee shops and is the capital of world cinema.

Because it is the cinema capital - not counting Bollywood of course - there are many great movie houses with the latest screens and sound systems; you usually see movies here before anyone else on earth.

My favourite cinemas are the ArcLight on Sunset Boulevard at Vine and Laemmle's Sunset 5 which is an "art house" - you will see British movies like "Layer Cake" and "Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" there and the latest blockbusters at the aforementiioned ArcLight.

Weekend conversations and news bulletins report the movie box office like the football results would be reported in Britain and there are many programmes on the radio about money; the stock market, insurance and "nine eleven" - but that's only on National Public Radio which is the equivalent to the BBC - except it's not run by licence fees; they have fund drives twice a year and if you are ever subject to a fund drive you would beg for the BBC and the licence system.

On the TV News nearly every day in Los Angeles they mention some murder - most of them are gang related so the best thing you can do is not go to South Central LA or even East LA; stay on the west side; it's safer.

But there are lots of guns here so don't be too complacent.

Apart from the police, who carry holstered pistols and some security guards at stores who sometimes carry guns, I have seen one gun in 13 years; that was shown to me by a fellow immigrant in the privacy of a house - oh yes there was that time when I was driving up Fairfax Avenue and I saw someone lying in the gutter with a policeman standing over him with a rifle - but I'd nearly forgotten about that!

I compare gun incidents to roads accidents in the UK; they are on the news, in the newspapers and you hear about them all the time but most of them are over by the time you arrive.

Los Angeles is full of crazy people - crazy in the nicest possible way; there is the guy who runs backwards everywhere: one day it rained so he called his run off but instead of going home forwards to get out of the rain quicker he ran backwards; now that's dedication; there are people who like their coffee half caffeine and half decaff with a dash of mocha and a dash of vanilla - coffee is important to them and is a way of life.

I go to the Farmer's Market most days; the wonderful Farmer's Market on the corner of Third and Fairfax for my large decaff and a doughnut from Bob's - right next to Patsy's Pizza where James Dean took his last bite before heading off to become a legend on September 30th 1955; there are loads of places like that where something famous and infamous happened years ago. I live around the corner from the hotel where Janis Joplin died from an overdose, I viewed an apartment where Devine died - Devine from the John Waters films - in fact you will see mock hearses driving the tourists around showing them where so and so died.

Of course because I have that doughnut most days I have to go to the gym and there are plenty of those - only here you are not allowed to use mobile (cell) phones in the changing rooms; with so many celebrities around you never know who is in there getting changed and what part of their anatomy might be getting photographed or filmed and ending up on YouTube.

Brick Lane - Food and Bars

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Hidden behind the industrial buzz of Liverpool Street Station is Brick Lane. Ten years ago it was thought to be an area to avoid, but an influx of students and artistic types has made this hidden area into a thriving community, and a great place to pick up one of London's staple dishes, an Indian curry, at a bargain price. The bars here are relaxed and young and in the summer there are plenty of places to sit outside. The area is best known for its curries which are served up at a host of restaurants that line the West end of this infamous street. Bring your bargaining skills and prepare to be approached by eager restaurant owners ready to offer a variety of incentives ranging from free drinks to money off the bill. The legendary Ten Bells pub where Jack the Ripper picked up his victims is just around the corner.

Tube - Liverpool Street

The Historic Coronet Cinema

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Until the recent smoking ban there was a smoking section in this independent cinema. Still very much a part of the London arts scene this cinema is very unique inside and shows films that won't be found in the more commercial cinemas. Students go for half price on a Monday and the deal is extended to all on a Tuesday making it a bargain at £3.50. The cinema has stood on the same site since 1898. Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts filmed a scene here in the film "Notting Hill".

Tube - Notting Hill

Hoxton Square - Food and Bars

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In London's up and coming East End, Hoxton Square brings a European flavour to this thriving neighbourhood. Hidden away from any main roads and with plenty of out door seating there are plenty of bars serving up cocktails and food from all nations. Round the corner from the new Courtyard Theatre and housing London's only female oriented sex shop this square attracts a big after work crowd and is a great place to meet the locals.

Tube - Old Street

The King's Head Theatre

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An institution on the London theatre scene, this fringe venue and pub has hosted a variety of shows and has been the spring board for talented artists including Victoria Wood, Joanna Lumley, Alan Rickman and Tom Stoppard. At the beginning of 2008 this venue announced plans to become a producing theatre and now features a season of home grown work. This theatre has leant particular support to new writers and musical theatre over the years and is a great place to soak up some London arts culture and see some start of the future. The pub also serves great food at lunch and dinner time.

Tube - Angel

Sketch - Café and Restaurant

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The upstairs restaurant at this unusual was at one time said to be London's most expensive restaurant and the downstairs café doesn't go easy on the pocket book either. If you stick to a simple coffee and cake it is worth the expense, if only to visit the bathrooms which are by far the most unusual in London. Tracey Emin regularly displays art in the corridors here. From the staff's hair cuts to the paint splashed stairs this venue screams London style and fashion. It makes a great change from a regular coffee stop and is walking distance from Oxford Street so makes a great rest stop.

Tube - Oxford Circus

Somerset House - Historic Building

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During summer there is a great line up of concerts and festivals in the impressive courtyard of this 16th century palace originally the home of the Duke of Somerset. Last year Amy Winehouse was amoung those to take to the temporary stage. Winter events are just as entertaining with a temporary ice rink set up between October and February. It is worth booking early as the recent craze for ice skating means that weekends are often booked up well in advance. Covent Garden is the nearest tube but it is well worth travelling to Waterloo in order to walk across Waterloo bridge and take in one of the most stunning views in London.

Tube - Covent Garden

Southbank - Walk

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Along from the bustle of the Millennium eye the south bank river walk stretches all the way to Southwark where the Tate Modern and the Globe Theatre dominate the river. There are plenty of pubs and restaurants to stop and rest in as well as a few market style stalls and shops. The view is fantastic and if you feel adventurous there are even routes down to the river bank at low tide where treasures from Victorian England are regularly found. At certain points along the route some of London's famous buskers can be found and a little before London Bridge you can see the new City Hall and the site where David Blaine performed his 44 day endurance and survival stunt in 2003. He suspended himself in a Perspex box without food in order to push himself to his human limits. Not all Londoners took kindly to the stunt and one group even took to cooking hamburgers underneath him in an attempt to taunt him with the smell.

Nearest Tube - Waterloo

Borough Market - Food Market

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Best experienced on a Saturday morning this market is a haven for the senses. Wander from stall to stall and taste the varied offerings. The food is fresh and it is a great place to pick up a sense of London's famous market culture. There are several prized pubs and restaurants around the market itself and the Menier Chocolate Factory theatre, a fringe theatre set in an old chocolate factory is minutes walk away.

Tube - London Bridge

Prince Charles Cinema

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This small theatre is a prized London secret. It is hosts regular singalonga shows where audiences are encouraged to dress up and sing along to their favourite film musicals. Hairspray is the current offering. Ticket prices are notoriously low for central London and members get even better deals with shows from as little as £1.50.

Tube - Leicester Square

Toptable

Not a location as such but a great web site for getting great deals on eating out in London. Featuring deals such as three courses and a glass of wine for £15 it makes dining at some of London's best restaurants a possibility for even those on the tightest of budgets.

Tube - The Internet

London is full of hidden gems. Go out and have a great time finding your own!

Cradled by an arc of country road, which cuts across the water at both ends before disappearing into the woods and hills of the surrounding countryside, is the tiny village of Fewston which consists of a few buildings of local granite and fields surrounded by the unmortared stone walls of the area.

The parish probably got its name from the Norman "fuist", meaning lofty trees. It was once much larger, occupying most of the ancient forest, including Great Timble, Blubberhouses, Clifton-with-Norwood, and Thruscross, some 17,644 acres.

Approaching from the south the traveller emerges suddenly from a tunnel of trees to cross the solid stone Fewston Embankment, and on the left lies the flat, calm water, with a few silent fishermen, immobile on the shoreline. It is almost impossible to drive on. The car must be parked, the silence can be almost tasted, absorbed. You can walk from here along the curving road and around the two reservoirs, or take one of the paths across the wooded fields to the Swinsty reservoir.

At the end of the embankment, an imposing mansion overlooks the water, and the road curves sharply, revealing a picture-book cottage and post office, outside which sits an incongruous red pillar box. On the opposite side of the road one catches tantalizing glimpses of water glinting through the trees. A little further is the central anchor of the village, the old church of St Michael and St Lawrence, with the Parochial Hall a few yards away. This church is said to have been destroyed twice by fire, and was altered extensively in the 14th century. The first vicar was Dom William Plesitz (1234 - 1280), the second was brother Walter De La Mere, of the asinine order, a university man.

The church, then, has served the spiritual and social needs of the village and surrounding area for over 700 years. Dedicated to both saints, it is a plain, unimposing abiding place of worship.

Further on along the gentle curve of the road, past hidden, scattered houses, and fields enclosed by moss-covered walls, lies the Swinsty Tea Gardens, warm in winter, cool in summer, a haven for hikers and travelers. Across the road is a park area, bordering the western edge of the Swinsty reservoir. Framed in trees, lighted by the late afternoon sun, the still waters are suddenly disturbed by the raucous quacking of a flock of geese, and the splash of a large white swan. Looking across the water, one traces the road, which, a few yards further on, again crosses the water, and plunges into the tree-covered hills.

There is something special about Painswick. The scenery and views are typical of this part of Gloucestershire, yes, but there is definitely something different about that particular village. Well, I say village but actually it is a town. Yes, it is definitely a town, just a very small one. There aren't many shops in Painswick. Just a few essential places, like a convenience store, a post office, a tea shop, a chemist, and some antique shops. However, Painswick's close proximity to the somewhat larger town of Stroud somehow makes this unimportant.

Why Painswick?

Years ago, when I was a teenager, I had a college friend who lived in Painswick, in a lovely big old terraced house built from Cotswold Stone; and also my ex-girlfriend lived nearby in another nearby village; to me, this made it romantic somehow, and ever since then I've always loved the area.

Old Buildings

Painswick has a very old feel to it. It lays spread up a hillside, with its church spire pointing upwards; you can see it for many miles away, and it has a great character. I've often thought that the houses there must cost a lot, as the buildings are made of Cotswold stone. There has been some more building work going on lately, in keeping with the style of the other buildings. After a while, when they are more weather-beaten they will certainly look good and fit in very well with the overall Cotswold stone appearance of Painswick. However, apart from this latest development, Painswick hasn't grown much over the years.

The Scenery

The scenery surrounding Painswick is very beautiful, and is part of what I consider Gloucestershire scenery at its best. Famous author Laurie Lee lived nearby in the village of Slad, which is down another nearby valley. By the way: the town of Stroud is surrounded by five valleys; these are: Painswick Valley, Slad Valley, Toadsmoor Valley, Nailsworth Valley and last but definitely not least, the Golden Valley.

From various hilltops around the nearby (and much larger) town of Stroud, Painswick stands out due to its tall church spire.

Painswick Beacon

If you walk out of Painswick in a northerly direction, you come to Painswick Hill, upon which there is a golf course. Once you reach Painswick Beacon on the top, which contains a triangulation point and a very clear view of the City of Gloucester. This is quite a high point, and you can see for miles around. On a windy day it really does get quite windy up there, and I once stood right up on top of the triangulation point on a very windy day.

There is something very atmospheric up on Painswick Beacon, whether it is on a sunny day or on a cloudy, windy day. Whatever the weather, Painswick Beacon is a very nice place to go. I have been on several walks up there with my walking groups, and also with friends and family, and by myself. It is a very peaceful place to be. Well, it would be if it wasn't for all the golfers, but live and let live is what I say. After all, who am I to go starting arguments with people who carry metal bars around as part of their leisure time?!

The best way to approach your trip is to start by picking out the things that interest you most and then fitting in as many of the other attractions as possible around that.

A ride on The London Eye is probably the best way to achieve an over view of the city and get a feel for the layout. As it takes its tranquil journey in an arc over the land you can sit back, relax and pick out the buildings and landmarks you hope to visit. The other way to do this is by taking a cruise down The River Thames. This has the added bonus of being accompanied by a guide who will point out anything of interest and answer any questions you might have.

Staying in London can be expensive, not only for the accommodation itself, but for the sightseeing and attractions you'll want to experience while there. To keep the costs down it's perfectly possible to book a cheaper hotel, leaving you more of your hard earned money to spend on enjoying yourself. Choose carefully. Check the standards of the hotel by reading up on what previous guests have to say about it. You can do this by visiting the hotel's website itself or by browsing various travel websites that list customer reviews.

Probably at the top of most people's list of must dos while in the city is The Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. You can't visit London without seeing these most famous attractions, but there are plenty of other, less popular things you might want to experience to give you more of a balance. Some of these are also inexpensive and even free to attend.

Speakers Corner, for example, is a fascinating place to visit. Even if you have nothing to say for yourself once there, it can be riveting to simply stand and listen to the other speakers. Camden Markets attract 500,000 visitors per week and specialise in vintage clothing as well as up and coming young designers, thus offering an insight into the possible trends and fashions of tomorrow. You don't have to buy anything if you don't want to, but it's certainly worth a look.

Something else you can view for free that you should make sure you visit while in London is The Diana, Princess of Wales' Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park. There's much emotion attached to this $6.5 million memorial, and nobody goes away unmoved.

Whatever you decide to do while in London, from the many museums and art galleries and taking afternoon tea at the Ritz, to browsing the shops and soaking up the atmosphere, you don't have to spend a fortune. Strike the right balance between the must do attractions and the less popular free sights and experiences, and you'll have a trip you'll never forget.

Most hotels offer the chance to take a look at the rooms, dining room etc on their website so you'll feel more comfortable about what you are booking. It's important, also, to be familiar with the location of your accommodation. If you are visiting London to see the sights, then you'll probably want a hotel in the centre of London, rather than on the outskirts or in the suburbs.

If you just want somewhere to lay your head that's comfortable and functional then you'll find a wide choice at reasonable prices, but it's always possible to book something a little nicer for almost the same price if you are prepared to shop around.

The best way to get a good deal on a hotel in London is to go for one with a good reputation that is offering either a discount at that time or a booking which combines itself with show tickets. Most visitors will want to take a trip to the theatre while in London anyway, so this can be an ideal way to keep the costs down.

Theatre in London has everything from musicals like Cats and Joseph and his Technicolor Dream Coat, to Shakespeare and contemporary plays. It's not unusual to see famous British actors, as well as some from abroad, on the stage in London, so these shows do get booked up quite quickly.

Make sure you have your tickets for any shows you want to see before you travel to avoid disappointment, and check the location of the theatre and the distance from your hotel. Taxis are always easy to come by in London, but it's worth having an idea of your bearings before you get there.

Public transport in London is very good and the use of it is to be advised when attempting to get from one place to another. Make sure you have your taxis planned, and sometimes even booked, before your evening out and be aware that driving yourself in the centre of London is both discouraged and notoriously difficult.

For the perfect evening out, combine the theatre with an evening meal. London has every type of Restaurant and bar you could think of, including an impressive selection of world foods, as well as traditional English pub food. The surroundings are usually interesting, the décor beautiful and tasteful and you never know, you may even have the chance to do a bit of star spotting while you dine!

I just saved £30 on my train fare to friends in Yorkshire over Christmas. From a quoted price of £86 return I managed to pay for my journey for only £56. I did this by shopping around and breaking the journey up into single fare day tickets.

My journey involved three changes of trains so by breaking it down:

My experience

• A return quote from Dundee to Bingley in Yorkshire was £85.50.
• Breaking it down it became single ticket from Dundee to Bingley at £14 but coming home a single from Bingley to Dundee was to be £71.50 so still giving a total of £85.50. However! Knowing I had three changes of train for this journey I checked them out. I found out I would have to take a bus from Bingley to Shipley for the train but I can get a lift to Shipley station.
• Single day ticket from Shipley to York = £10.50 plus single day ticket from York to Dundee = £31.50 giving a total there and back of £56.

Tips to Getting the Best Deal

1. Start planning early. You can book up to 3 months ahead and the more notice you can give the bigger savings you can get.
2. Shop around. Two sites worth checking out are Nationalrail.co.uk and Thetrainline.com
3. Even then take the time to check if you can get it cheaper by buying two single tickets rather than one return ticket.
4. If you are going to have to change trains on your journey check out whether you can buy cheap day single tickets for each leg cheaper than buying one ticket for the whole journey.
5. If you are a student, have a family or are over 60 it is worth investing in a rail card. If your trip is likely to cost more than £60 or if you will take more than one journey during the year it is worth paying the £20 for the card.

Valid 10 Year Passport

American tourists visiting the UK will need to hold a valid American passport that will not expire during their trip. A passport with a 6 month validity still left is usually required when visiting the UK. The UK has an agreement with the United States that allows visitors to enter the UK on a visa waiver programme for a visit up to 3 months in duration. If you intend to stay for a longer period of time, you will need to obtain the correct visa prior to your arrival in the UK, not after you get there.

The Weather

The British weather is very temperamental and hard to predict. It is possible that a bright, sunny day will soon turn cloudy and then rainy. Or a rainy day may quickly brighten up. The best way to tackle the British weather is to dress in layers. When packing, do not just keep up to date with what the weather is like two weeks or even a week prior to travel. Pack appropriately for every eventuality so that you can be prepared for quick changes in weather. Do not assume that the summer will be sunny everyday. The summer of 2007 saw torrential floods and very little sunshine across parts of the UK.

British English

The British and Americans share a basic common language, but there will be times that you will encounter some awkward situations if you are not conversant in a few words and phrases in British English. Pick up a good British travel guide for extra advice on British English, watch BBC America or visit British English websites that are designed to help prepare Americans for their trip across The Pond.

Travel Insurance

Are you prepared for every eventuality? Have you planned on what to do if your luggage is lost or stolen or you are seriously injured in the UK? It is wise to consider taking out travel insurance prior to your trip to the UK. While hospitals will not turn anyone away who has been seriously injured, hospitals will not treat you for free as they would if you were a British resident.

The process of cheese making is basically the same no matter where you go. It is very simple and can even be tried at home if you are feeling adventurous.

Each country has it's own particular types of cheese and the names vary. Here is a small selection of the more interesting UK produced ones.

1. Buffalo

   This is a fairly recent addition to the UK market. It was first produced in 1996 and has a mild flavor with a touch of almonds. It is hard and made with unpasteurized buffalo milk.

2. Cornish Pepper

   This is a rich, creamy cheese which is liberally sprinkled with cracked peppercorns. It takes about five weeks to make and is soft and moist in texture.

3. Exmoor Blue

   This blue cheese is made from ewe and goat's milk. It is strong tasting and suitable for vegetarians and compares well to other blue veined Stilton type cheeses.

4. Gospel Green

   This is a hard, Cheddar type cheese made from cow's milk. It is unpasteurized and has a slight aroma of apples.

5. Stinking Bishop

   This hard cheese is made from cow's milk. It is washed in an alcoholic drink called "Stinking Bishop" which is made from pears. It has a very strong, ripe flavor and smell.

6. Tymsboro

   This soft cheese is made from goat's milk. The natural rind is dusted with black ash and covered in a light, white mould. It has a light after taste of lemon.