We live near the Korean Embassy. When the Nationalists approach in their (generally black) vans, loudspeakers blaring, we can hear from blocks away. There seemed to be quite a lot of activity last Sunday so I went and waited at the junction where the police have set up moveable barriers to prevent the Nationalists getting too close to the Embassy. (There are similar arrangements near the Russian and Chinese Embassies).

There were a number of policemen there. They were waiting for something, and kept partially blocking the road. After a while one of the largest convoys of Nationalists that I've seen approached - maybe 20 vans and cars, stretching some way down the road. The police quickly blocked the road and first two and then three vans drew up to the barrier. They were there for some minutes, stopping all other traffic. The loudspeakers are just ferociously loud, and distorted. The Nationalists play martial music and shout. I think it's the loudest thing I've ever heard (the second loudest being a support act for Motorhead in the Hammersmith Odeon some years ago!). My ears hurt for quite a long time afterwards.

Anyway, the Nationalists were shouting about how much they hated Korea, and I was taking photos, and - while I couldn't really understand - I wonder if that just made the Nationalists angrier. Perhaps they were shouting at me too. It was quite a buzz, but also really quite intimidating. (Interestingly, a friend of mine says that many of them are paid to be there).