So… here we are in Canada. We left Grandma at home again and flew in yesterday. It’s strange how air travel can confuse the senses – one morning one can get up in England and the same day go to bed in Canada a quarter of the way around the Earth. It really is quite cool. There is something about travel that feeds me, even things like exploring hotel rooms and becoming acquainted with the TV remote I find exciting – not because I can watch TV but because of what they represent: a new place. A new perspective.

We spent today walking around the city – it’s quite picturesque but I found it derivative of any other city in North America, if a city can be derivative (when questioned about this, Matthew says it’s because it has tall buildings. I certainly don’t agree – Ed). However, there are also things that make it unique – there’s a vast underground city, which is like a subterranean shopping mall. This has access points all over the city centre giving the city a thoroughly three-dimensional feel (I can’t believe he just said this – Ed). It must be said that there are, however, very few lifts. And what lifts there are a usually full of ambulant Americans too lazy to use the escalators. I found myself getting rather shirty and un-British at one point. One of the good things about having a speech impediment is that no-one can understand when I curse at them. Of course this isn’t applicable when I use the lightwriter. I know I shouldn’t do this – it probably sets back the cause for disabled rights – but it’s hard to resist. Anyway, overall I’m having a great time and looking forward to the days ahead.

I should also mention my brother Mark, who is only just starting to realise that others are just as aware of his intelligence as we are thanks to an email he received. Good one, bro!

I would also like to point out a correction to the last post – naked women do not appear on ceilings. Although I sometimes wish they did – that would be fun! (Editor: Matt’s bro Luke, taking dictation)