Instalment 11

Final Farewell Sunday August 15

We all just had dinner together in the dining room at the Novotel, Paddington; a three course buffet. I can't believe how much I've eaten over here. The Novotel (and the street it's on) are so new that they don't exist on any maps or GPS finders. I don't know what existed on this site before but it's a great spot and a very, very nice hotel. I don't quite know he we afforded it but it was all in the package.

Four of us went for a walk to Paddington Station; I wanted to find where the Heathrow Express left from (I work so much better and am much less anxious when I can visualise something uncommon) and the others wanted to check out the Underground. The station is not far from our hotel so it will be an easy walk for us tomorrow with our bags. Then we strolled along a canal and checked out all the houseboats moored along the banks. It was so beautiful and peaceful. We walked for an hour and a half then came back for dinner. Gibbo stood up and said a farewell and thankyou to everyone for being so good to travel with and for sharing good times with us. We got lots of hugs and kisses; we feel kind of sad to be leaving everybody.

Monday August 16

Gibbo went to Lords with three others and did the tour, saw the Ashes and (illegally) touched the hallowed turf. Some folk are easily pleased. Meanwhile I wandered through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens and visited the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain which was very unimpressive and quite disappointing. I couldn't believe the number and variety of dogs in the park  - all sorts, all sizes. I visited the Round Lake and admired the swans and other waterbirds then shopped my way back to the hotel to wait for Gibbo to get back. 

We had a quick lunch then caught the Heathrow Express to Terminal 1 to begin the long journey home. We were a tad early but may as well have sat out there rather than back at the hotel ( plus there's nothing like being super organized hey?). From the time we got to Heathrow to the time we land, it will be 32 hours.

Tuesday August 17

So we're currently in Singapore, awaiting our Qantas flight to Brisbane. Gibbo just spoke to Lillie and she will pick us up in the morning. Heathrow was very easy to negotiate; our luggage is booked all the way through to Bris so we hope it's there waiting for us. The horror stretch from Frankfurt to Singapore was no better than the first time; worse actually because we didn't get seats together. We were four rows apart and in different aisles. Not long now; another 2 hours until we take off and then 7 hours flying time and we'll be home; and I'll see my kids again!