Flyover!

Things were looking good when we boarded the flight at Heathrow. The chap at the desk changed our seats, giving us more room, but this was just a diversion!

We had plenty of space to strech out, even lay down, but we hadn't counted on the number of youngsters who couldn't settle down. So the leg to Dubai was not very restful or peaceful. 

We arrived in time in Dubai - they announced that our flight would be reboarding in 30 minutes, an hour and a half later we boarded!

The next leg to Brunei was a little quieter! Some of the kids had remained in Dubai and the others seemed to have run out of grumpy powder. The breakfast they serve was total yuk! I'm not sure what they served but it was perhaps the worst airline food I have ever tasted - and taste was about all that happened!

We arrived in Brunei safe and sound - the breakfast they served was yuk - hadn't taken any adverse effect! We smile at the low ceiling heights designed into this new airport - and they already have signs saying "Watch you head"!  Some of the tall guys and gals getting off the flight needed to be very careful. 

Note for future: Brunei has no water fountains! 

Now off to Melbourne and then home - yay!

Blighty Day 23: London and beyond!

Well, it has finally arrived!  Our last day and the temperature is down 12 degrees - close to what we will experience when we arrive home.

We took a long walk this morning knowing that exercise will be in short supply over the next 36 or so hours. 

We spent time with James before he took us to Heathrow in readiness for our flight to Oz. Left London with the rain steadily falling - seems that normality has returned!

The blighters changed our seat allocations on us again, even though we checked in online as earlier as it was available. 

We arrived at Terminal 4 early so we were able to pass through the security and Border Protection with plenty of time to spare. 

Thought I might do some duty-free shopping but had a change of heart!

The flight was on time and we are about to board. Bon voyage! 

Blighty Day 22: London

Another beautiful day in the capital - the penultimate day of our trip.

We had a relaxing morning with James before he took us on an open-top tour of the sites of London. Many of the iconic locations around the city seemed to be on our route. 

Always a standout is St Pancras Station. 

The Royal Courts of Justice is a landmark for all the wrong reasons! 

The ancient cross at Charring Cross more often than not goes unnoticed. 

Admiralty Arch - the stunning entrance to the Mall. 

The Victoria Memorial and Buckingham Palace. 

The less salubrious ancient Smithfield Meat Market after the hectic early morning activity. 

Later in the afternoon Kevan and Maddie came over for a final get-together before we all head our seperate ways tomorrow. Sad saying goodbye!

Blighty Day 21: London

Another day in tropical London - 28 today! What a great way to finish our trip.

Nothing much on the agenda today other than spending time with James and Maddie. After another slow morning we did venture out to the V and A Museum in South Kensington. Being a public holiday we thought it may have been crowded but because of the great weather many people were outside enjoying the splendid sunshine!

Colourful Meissen porcelain part of the expansive collection. 

The V and A is always a great place to while away time. We split up to take in our own preferences within the museum. No way can you take it all in the one go. The other member was most impressed by all the paintings, ceramics and jewellery, and in particular the  diamonds ranging from 6.5 carats and other precious stones that were on display. 

Small sample of the ancient Islamic tiles. 

The room with the "reproductions" is always a fascination. 

Part of the expansive costume and fashion display. 

The Mary Quant fashions of the 60s - if you can remember! 

Liked this Tibetan beer jug!

We caught a couple of buses to get back to Jim's who was preparing a delicious roast for us and Maddie. Maddie came over and we had a great meal with great company. 

Blighty Day 20: London

"A bed! a bed! my kingdom for a bed!" could have been the cry. Yes, a wonderful night's sleep in a very large comfortable bed. 

The slow morning was to our liking with no pressure on now that the van is safely stored. James and Maddie organised a time to meet up for lunch which we did a little later in the early afternoon. 

We all met at The Drayton Arms and enjoyed good company and a good meal. 

Returned back with James for the rest of the evening. We were treated to some fine cooking later in the evening!

Blighty Day 19: Good Night Hilton!

Getting back in home-mode early this morning with a call to Oz to get the NBN reconnected before we arrive home on Friday.  After this we went back to sleep!

When we finally surfaced, we had our last breakfast in Hilton and then retrieved our cases from the under-lockers of the van. We spent the next hour packing our cases and checking that we had everything out of all the cupboards etc.  

Hilton - thank you! Rest well over the winter. 

We had a chat with the NZ woman in the motorhome next to us.  She was travelling around in-between finishing her degree at Oxford. She was saying that her  opportunity to attend uni didn't happen until her children had left home, so she was doing it while she could. Great courage!

Later we moved onto Maidenhead where we had lunch before driving to Little Marlow where we stored our van. James arrived shortly after to collect us, and all our clobber, taking us into London where we're are staying for the next four days. 

Hilton in his idealic setting!

With the swans. 

Blighty Day 18: Packing Up at Englefield Green

What a beautiful late summers day in England! Traditionally we would have put on our long slacks and woollies, but  not this year - and, the next few days are promising the same.

Yes, packing-up day! It is surprising as to what has been gathered over the past three and a half months. The need to have all the food either eaten or out of the van is the priority. Along with this is the cleaning of all the cupboards and drawers where there may have been food during the trip.  The amount of rubbish was quite surprising. 

Having sorted as much as we could today, we had lunch and then drove on towards Windsor and then to Jealott's Hill where we spent the rest of the afternoon and evening. 

The New Leathern Bottle where we spent our last night in the motorhome. 

The look when cleaning and sorting the van for storage. 

A full clean-through the kitchen!