Don't mention the war...

... I did, but I think I got away with it!

I said that I would update this blog with my European adventure, and so here goes.

Unfortunately I must start with some bad news. Having come to the other side of the world at great expense and inconvenience in order to put myself under scrutiny of the UK's Army Officer Selection Board, I failed. I went down to Wiltshire last week from Tuesday through until Friday and took part in various outdoor obstacle courses, group command tasks, written exams and oral discussion sessions. I thought I had done all that I could, but at the end of the week I simply did not measure up to the army's expectations. I am told that candidates often fail the first time, but then gain entry at a second attempt, but still I am quite disappointed and 2007 seems to be rapidly turning into a year of disappointments and failures (in contrast to 2006, which for me was quite a good year). Perhaps 2007 is to be my annus horribilus (as the Queen referred to 1992)?

Anyway, I now find myself in the country that gave the world Mercedes Benz, Heidi Klum, Angela Merkel, Volkswagen and the most despotic tyrant the world has ever known. I met my pal Jens in Munich yesterday and I am to stay with him for three nights before moving on to Berlin. Jens is to take me tonight to watch the Bayern Munich vs AC Milan game in a filthy German beer hall crowded with buxom Bavarian babes, so that may cheer me up after my latest disappointment!!

Anyway, not much more to report. See you all soon.

Ps. Number of times Lonely Planet has failed me so far: 1 (trying to find non-existent Internet cafe)