Elation!

I have to admit to a certain sense of elation these past few days and weeks. On Friday, I begin a three week festive holiday back in Canada and I have to admit I'm really looking forward to it.

England, London in particular, has become a den of Chavs, fuelled by beer and cheap women who'll do anything to appear on the cover of Nuts or similar low-rent lads mags.

Getting away from that is going to be a definite breath of fresh air.

With most holidays, I find the best period is the anticipatory pre-holiday time, when you wind down, and let that sense of elation overwhelm you. When it's Christmas, it's even better as there's work parties, lunches and drinks with friends to get you there. I don't feel my holiday starts on Friday, I feel it started over a week ago, what with all the celebrations.

My holiday proper, however, will commence when I reach Paddington Station and check my bags in at the Air Canada counter. After that, I get my Caffe Nero coffee and Heathrow Express ticket and we're officially "On Holiday".

Of course, the run up is also full of manic running around, and if you're me manic MP3 recording for friends. I realise that all my prepping will be for nought as I sit with my case open in my parents' front room remembering that vital present is still sitting on my bed and hastily go out and re-purchase a similar item in time for Christmas. But, I feel, that is all part and parcel of the holidays.

This period of the year is grand and I can't wait to see all my old school mates and friends and mates.