Always nice to be in Edinburgh, although I'd prefer not to be in a hotel again so soon after ISMB.

Just been to George Hotel: posh, but lots of twiddly bits never impressed me; food was plausible, wine was indifferent, coffee was awful. Staying in the SAS Radisson: good points, free internet; bad points, they have authentic wooden windows to look nice, and a inner draw window which acts as, well, a window. Sounds fine, but it's single, transparent sheet of glass, 10cm in front of the wooden frame and I nearly broke my nose on it trying to look out of the window.

Ouch.

p.s. there's a 2cm step between bedroom and bathroom with no function other than to provide a place to stub your toe.

Spent today walking around the Prata, out as far as the stadium, then back to Lassallestraße. The day was clear, perhaps slightly too warm, but really nice despite this. Good to spend time relaxing before the flight.

Vienna airport needs to get it's signs sorted out though. The restrictions all state that you can items bought on the transit can be taken on the planes, but then they put security other side. It's not a surprise really that people get annoyed with these restrictions when their signs are wrong. Now I have to fly without water. Hopefully, I won't get ill.

Been to a number of tourist traps over the last few days, so here are my opinions.

Zoo: well, lots of sad animals in small cages. They should shut this, move it 20 miles outside town, run a shuttle bus and give the animals more space.

Palm and Cactus House: there were really good and fun to walk around. Smaller than either Edinburgh or Kew, but still good.

State Opera House: it's okay. It is basically a confusing mix of styles, with lots of twiddly bits on. In the end, we only went there because of the rain, so I can't really complain.

My initial impressions that Vienna is not 24hr were confirmed today. Wandering around the shops at 9:30, I was greeted with looks of amazement that I should want to buy anything at such an ungodly hour. I found the electrical cord I needed, and some sun tan cream; the chemist shop was small and prissy, with signs for "laxa soft" everywhere; mute testimony that Viennese food is Germanic — everything you can decently do with a sausage.

The city itself is not, to my mind, beautiful everywhere as the taxi driver suggested, rather it is impressive. The buildings are large blocks, heavily ornamented and shine in the sun. The streets are wide and gentle, with a confusing combination of foot, bike, tram and car lanes. The street I am on — Lassallestraße — is not only named after Frederich Lassalle, but it has little, potted life histories on the road signs. At least, I presume thats what they are. It could say "Frederich had a big nose, bad temper and we are glad that he is gone".

Now that the temperature has reached over 20C, I am tempted to be British and lie in a air conned room, sweating and moaning. I think, however, I shall pop out and do the inner ring. I wish my sandles had arrived with me; I fear this evening I shall need surgical separation from my socks.

I've just got to Vienna. I got here at some stupid time, but I had time to pop out and see the Prater. There's an currently a film festival on, and there were showing an outdoor film — sadly I've missed Dr Strangelove. I recognised the ferris wheel from another film, Before Sunrise.

So far, seems like a nice city to me, although around here at least it's clearly not a 24hr city as everything was switching off.

Anyway, I won't say more. I got here fine, but my luggage is in Paris as is my power adaptor. Better hit the electrical store tomorrow.