London 5-7 July

My apologies for the delay in getting to this travel diary - I hadn't managed to sort out an internet connection. Hopefully I'll be a bit more regular now.


5 July

The journey begins.

Well the journey began with a little hiccup. I arrived at the check-in counter at Sydney Airport to discover a problem with my ticket. For a few moments it looked like I wasn’t flying anywhere, then suddenly it got sorted except that I was now going on a different flight, and one that left just over an hour earlier than the one I was expecting to be on. So, rather than a relaxing coffee with Mum, sister Karen, and friend Alix, it was a rushed goodbye, race through immigration then off to the boarding gate.

I was in the very last row of the 777 and I wondered if that meant the tail wobbled sideways every time we hit turbulence - at least that was the experience. We had a slightly scary landing in Singapore weaving to and fro across the runway before finally settling in a straight line. In any case, after such a long flight I was very glad to reach Heathrow, and very grateful to be met by the wonderful Mike & Lesley, who had got up at 4am just to meet me.

M&L drove me home, approx 80min drive, and we enjoyed sitting outside in the early morning sun, chatting, and including their normal practise of reading the Bible and praying. I managed to stay up until after lunch but then it was time for a nap, which lasted longer than intended. 10pm and they had just given up waiting for me for dinner! After a wonderful meal and more chatting, it was time for bed, after a very long day for all.

I managed to get a little sunburnt on my first day - such a contrast to the cold temp’s of home. Although I’ve not been to this part of London before, being with M&L is definitely like a home away from home. It’s been 14 years since I was last here, and last saw them, but as is the case with those special friendships, that time just disappears.

After a rocky start, I am very blessed to be here.


6 July

11pm and the sky is still not quite dark, and it’s been light since 4am - the daylight hours are long!

Today, after a leisurely breakfast and devotion time outside, Mike & Lesley took me to Sheffield Park Garden, a National Trust property in Sussex. We wandered the beautiful gardens. I particularly loved the numerous water lilies in the ponds. Mike did a little painting and we sat, chatted, reflected in the quiet. It was a peaceful place to be.

Returning home for dinner and I had to endure the humiliation of watching Australia lose the 20/20 match. For some reason Mike wasn’t supportive of the Aussies…

The Queen offered a short, but hopefully powerful, speech at the UN on leadership.

And a note re packing. Some people know that I always carry poo bags (for doggy doodoo) in my back pocket. So, I managed to travel all the way to England with a packet in my pocket!


7 July

Today Mike, Lesley and I planned to go and see a West End show. We ended up seeing “Sister Act” which was top of my priority list anyway. It was fabulous. They don’t use any of the music from the movie, but the music they do use is fantastic. Automation was amazing, lighting was great and sound was terrific as well. A great production.

Travelling to and from London also brought back lots of memories particularly of when I lived here. Today M&L reminded me of when we went to see Robin Hood at Crystal Palace and I took hoummos for our picnic in black film canisters (I didn't have any other containers!). But there's also new buildings since I was last here that alter the skyline from how I remember it. However, the buzz of Leicester Square, Piccadilly, Soho, Oxford and Regent St's was great - and I remembered where I was going.

One more day with M&L then off to Scotland on Friday morning, and the research component begins!