Final day in Eurpoe

 Monday 

30 September 

Day 92

4 to go

We both slept much better last night and woke feeling a little brighter. I was happy to stay in bed for a while and read my book. The other two were up and about downstairs. I did get up by 9am and joined them for breakfast. It was a crappy looking English day, grey and wet. 

I phoned mum, who was out chasing chooks. We filled her in on life here and our plans for the next few days. Paul was then in to the cases and sorting out the packing. We have managed pretty well across Europe, but now we have to fill the bags with all the stuff we left here in the UK. Thankfully we have 40kg limit each!

We then flaked on the couch. Paul rang Ballsy, getting the low down on home and then he rang Jaden. Bub was fast asleep, Rayah was still racing around. It was nice to see them. 

We then went into Hitchin town for a wander around. We stopped for a hot chocolate, before we continued our walk among the buildings. We did a wander around and through St Mary’s Church. We noticed one of the headstones had a skull and crossbones. I also watched a squirrel collecting nuts within the grounds. 

We completed the circumference of the church, watching ducks, pigeons and Canadian geese by the pond. We then picked up some things for lunch and returned to the car, just as the rain set in.

Back home, we got cooking and then ate our bacon sandwiches while watching the NZ v SEM replay. The rain had finally stopped and the sun was trying to penetrate the thick cloud layer. 

We had a lazy, but very welcome afternoon. I read my book for a while and and we took the opportunity to have a rest. Time moved quickly and it was 5pm before I realised.

We decided we would head out for dinner, opting for the pub we were intending to go to yesterday, The Wilbury. We got ourselves organised and then Chell drove us the short distance to the venue. The place did a carvery, so we all enjoyed a roast meat and vege dinner and a sweet to follow. It was the perfect way to finish off our last day in the UK. 

Back home, we settled into the lounge, devices in hand and by 8.30pm, we were looking for bed, keenly aware of the big 24 hours to come.

Lazy day in the UK

 Sunday 

29 September 

Day 91

5 to go

The lurgy had well and truly grabbed hold and I woke feeling pretty rubbish. I managed to stay in bed until 9am and then got up, showered, had breakfast and slotted about on Chell’s couch. Paul was already sorted and was busy sorting our bags. 

We all went into Letchworth shopping district. I was able to pick up some things to help with the is cold and we gathered things for both lunch and breakfast. Once back at Chell’s, we ate our meal and watched a replay of the Sydney v Illawarra game. We were glad to see Sydney loose. Paul put through a load of dirty washing and when it was complete, Chell drove us to Charlotte’s, so we could, hang out with her, the girls and Dario for the afternoon. 

It was chaotic, as expected. The girls were boisterous and Duke, the dog, was looking for any attention he could get. We entertained the girls with a balloon and cake, before going for a short walk around the farmer’s field, on the other side of the street.

We were shown around the new home and given a run down on all of the coming renovation works. There will be plenty to do in the coming months. 

By 5pm, we were ready to say goodbye, leaving Charlotte to her mum duties. Dario drove us back to Chell’s, before we said goodbye to him as well. Chell was out and about, so we settled into the house and flicked though the TV, while we waited. 

In the end, we decided to cook up what would have been breakfast, for dinner, as Chell was caught up at his mum’s and time was ticking beyond 7.30pm. He arrived home Just as we were putting on the finishing touches. 

We ate,swapped stories about our day and watched TV, before we called it a night. 

 

The long road home begins

 Saturday 

28 September 

Day 90

6 to go

AFL grand final day Brisbane 120 v Sydney 60

4.15am and the alarm was singing its wake up tune. With little time to waste, we were straight up. We had a quick breakfast, packed up the last minute things and then it was out the door and into the waiting taxi. Easy. 

We were at the airport for 5.15am, bag tags printed, including for one of our cabin bags, as the plane was full and we could free up cabin space for free. We then waited at the bag drop. The belt was down, so a technician had to come to the rescue. Once that was sorted, we said goodbye to our bags and proceeded through security, Paul getting a very thorough pat down. 

We had a little time waiting at gate 23 and then boarding commenced. We had to head outside and board from the tail. It was a little cold and there was Ice on the hand rail. We settled in to our seats, boarding was completed quickly, they de-iced the plane and then we were heading for the runway. 6.50am, we taxied down the runway and were in the air shortly after. Ready to sit back for the next two hours. 

I swapped between reading my book and napping. Napping wasn’t particularly successful as I found the chair uncomfortable, but for 2 hours I coped. At 8.15am, we were told to prepare for landing. By 8.40am, we were in the arrivals hall and looking for the loos. 

Our flight to Heathrow, wasn’t due to board until 12.45pm, so we had four hours to kill. We did a wander around the terminal, got some tax money back and enjoyed a hot chocolate and pastry. We put the NBL on and tried to watch a lagging stream of the 36ers v Cairns. I caught up with blog bits and organised a catch up with Charlotte for tomorrow afternoon. Two hours down and two to go, before we were to be in the air again. 

When the ball game finished, we went in search of a meal deal and then made our way to the F15 gate. We had to pass through passport control, finally getting another stamp in the book and then we settled in to our holding pen at midday, eating our lunch and waiting out the 45 minutes until boarding. I began watching the Tasmania v Melbourne game, but the 2nd quarter had only just started, when boarding began. It was all very orderly, with everyone on board for 12.55pm. It was a glorious looking day, with blue skies and sunshine. I had a window seat for this section of the flight, so was looking forward to the views. 

Right on schedule, we began our taxi at 1.15pm. We were ready a lot earlier, but where stuck in the queue. Before long we were in the air and saying goodbye to not only Norway, high had been amazing, but to mainland Europe, that part of our adventure now, sadly, behind us.

I managed to get some zzz, but my head kept rolling away and waking me up. It at least saw the flight time disappear and at 2.45pm, we could see England. The captain was online, telling us we were making our descent and would land for 2.10pm, ahead of the 2.35pm scheduling. From here greater London came into view. I think we had the clearest outlook we have ever had. I was able to make out so many of the landmarks. The bridges over the Thames, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, the Mall, Hyde Park, they were all on full display. It was pretty spectacular. 

Once on the ground, we waited for disembarkation, then proceeded through passport control, customs, collected our bags and were on a shuttle bus to the long term parking where Marcello met us. We had finally come full circle. 

We enjoyed catching up, as we made the trip back to Hitchin, arriving at his home for 4.30pm. It was a quick unload and change, as dinner was booked for 5pm. I was feeling a bit rubbish. After dealing with the tight cough, the sinuses had now joined in and I was sneezing and feeling like I had a head full of cotton wool. I had found the descent particularly difficult, my ears were hurting from the unequal pressure and my hearing was shot. 

Chell drove us into Hitchin town. We parked and then walked to the restaurant, Hermitage Rd. It was a lovely space which was once a ballroom. When we arrived it was fairly quiet. We had a space in a corner and made our food selection. The food was magnificent, but I ate way too much. We enjoyed the catch up and swapping of stories, but I was glad when we called it a night at 7pm. The place was now chock a block and noisy. 

We returned home, I dosed up and then retreated to bed, hoping for a restful night.