Ian McKellen (Gandalf) has updated his ‘Grey Books’ section! Take a gander!

What a congenial country New Zealand is for visitors from what used to be called “the home country.” So far from home but the language is the same and you can buy Marmite and Cadbury’s chocolate. The Queen is on the banknotes (although they are made of a non-creasable, washable, transparent plastic) and there is scandal about Prince Edward in “Women’s Weekly” which would be considered too racy for even the UK tabloids. It all seems half-familiar with a style of friendliness that is a change from English reserve. I feel very much at home. [More]