2003 Discovering Britain & Ireland – Day 5

START OF THE SPENDING SPREE – Stratford to York

After a very restful night in this Elizabethan town it is time to rise and shine and prepare for another day.  Going downstairs for breakfast I am looking forward to the ‘full English breakfast’ as promised in the tour book, but there is a small problem – cereal, juice and toast – OK so far - and then after telling them not to serve me eggs – yep they served me eggs.  That went back quick smart and got double serve of bacon and tomato with some nice mushrooms. I wonder if all our breakfasts are going to be exciting like this?  As was my plan from yesterday I get on the coach first and grab the window and when she gets on I suggest to her that we will take it in turns to sit near the window and she is OK with that and says it is a good idea. Our Tour Director Paul – has given us a huge Insight map of Britain & Ireland so that we can mark out where we are going. He hands around his ‘highlighted and marked out map of where we are going today’ and we copy from it. What a great idea. Although it is a bit awkward at times folding a map that is about 1 metre square to a writeable size. It definitely is some sort of initiative test and I think maybe I passed but there were a few that maybe got a D or even an F.  Today we start by heading off to the Wedgwood factory. Now Wedgwood doesn’t really excite me all that much. It is very pretty and the tourist in me says you’ve got to have some Wedgwood from Wedgwood, so some pressies for those at home and me. Now I realise that I’ve got to carry the extremely fragile pieces around for the next 25 days and make sure it doesn’t break. Stop and have a chat with a few workers on how they put the decorations on the pieces by hand. Very interesting. I must admit this is the only place I didn’t take any photos. The camera breathes a sigh of relief. Back on the coach – heading east and my seating partner comments on how my Wedgwood bag is bigger than hers. I keep my composure and smile and say I most probably spent more. Maybe sitting near the window was not a good idea as by the time she is in her seat I am squashed up near the window. At least on the aisle I could put my legs out into the walkway and spread out.  Oh well, the trip goes on.  We head north through Nottingham – I would like to stop here, but we go straight through. Looking, looking I don’t see Robin Hood or the Sherriff – and we have a lunch stop for half an hour at some cafeteria type place and then head off to York.  On the way to York the book says 'We view Warwick Castle'. 

This was a quick zip past so if you go on this tour make sure you have the camera ready at a fast shutter speed.  However, our driver Kenny, ever thoughtful of his customers does turn the bus around and we go for a ‘slow’ pass by. You still can’t see much – see photo right - but at least I can say I saw Warwick Castle.  And if I read about it – I will know what it looks like.  We arrive in York and head to our hotel for the night, the Quality Hotel. Get my key and head off to the room – lift is so slow.  Nice room, clean and the bed comfortable but overall very sparse. After we get organised we meet back downstairs and then Paul takes us on a walking tour of York and we see The Shambles.

HISTORY LESSON:  The Shambles is an old street with overhanging timber framed buildings, some dating back as far as the fourteenth century. It was once known as The Great Flesh Shambles probably from the Anglo-Saxon Fleshammels (literally 'flesh-shelves'), the word for the shelves that butchers used to display their meat. As recently as 1872 there were twenty-five butchers' shops in the street but now there are none. There is still a butcher in the adjacent Little Shambles which leads to York's open-air Newgate Market. Among the buildings of the Shambles is a shrine to Saint Margaret Clitherow, who was married to a butcher who owned and lived in a shop there. Although the butchers have now vanished, a number of the shops on the street still have meat-hooks hanging outside and, below them, shelves on which meat would have been displayed. The shops currently comprise a mixture of eateries and souvenir shops, but there is also a bookshop and a baker.  Really narrow streets with the lovely little shops so close together you could just about leap from the roof of one side to the roof on the other side.

This town is really full of interesting nooks and crannies and I would love to have the time to just meander around all the shops but we must press on and head for York Minster. What an incredible place. A huge statue of Constantine the Great, who was proclaimed Emperor here in 306 AD, out the front and after another little chat Paul leaves us to discover The Minster and York by ourselves.  

The carvings on the outside are unbelievable and you can take photos inside – so here we go again. So full of history – it’s hard to imagine anyone being able to build something like this all those years ago.

HISTORY LESSON: The first Minster was built in 627 AD and was a wooden building.  This was demolished and rebuilt but the Minster that we see today was commenced by the Normans in 1080 AD.

After visiting this incredible building we can make our own way back to the hotel. I decide to visit the Norman Keep – Clifford's Tower built circa 1090 AD.  This is a fortress on the top of a hill – more steps but well worth the climb.  So much history I just don’t know where to look next.  Heading back to the hotel there are buskers in the streets as it is school Summer holidays – a group of music students are playing Bolero and they are doing a great job so I throw a couple of coins into the case. Dinner is not included tonight so we have to fend for ourselves. I find a nice ‘Pye Shoppe’ and buy a humungous chicken pastie and an apple & raspberry tart. That should keep me going for a while. When I get back to my room I devour the food and fall into bed for an early night – sleep, sleep.

Highlight of the day : the history of York Minster

2003 Discovering Britain & Ireland – Day 4

THE INSIGHT TOUR BEGINS - - London to Stratford

7am wake up call comes at 7.30am. Seems to be a ‘Hilton’ thing, but I must admit they are getting better - only half hour late today. More words when I check out and more apologies. Another forgettable continental brekkie which is not very filling and the bus – sorry – COACH - has arrived.  As I am travelling alone I have been allocated a seating partner for the tour –a girl who I reckon is in her late twenties, travelling with her mum and dad. A rather large lass to say the least, she is already in the seat near the window and I end up with less than ¾ of my seat and up the back of the coach. Things are not looking good until our Tour Director Paul Fisher explains that we will be rotating two rows of seats forward every day. OK – I can handle that. Paul seems to be OK at this stage and he is busy getting all the bags and people on the coach and trying his best to keep everyone happy. Our driver’s name is Kenny and he is Scottish and his big black coach has been chartered from Parks in Scotland. Not a word of Insight anywhere to be found. There are lots of Aussies and Kiwis and only 2 people from the US. Finally on our way out of London and heading north-west we arrive at Oxford.  Before I left Oz I did a lot of research on the places we would visit and what would be the best things to see.  I do not want to waste any time wondering about such things when we get there.  In Oxford there are lots of interesting things to see and do.  Loads of history including the university – Paul leads us on a small tour around the university and the town so that we get to know the place a bit and then we can do our own thing for 2 hours.   I will try and keep the history lessons to a minimum and just put the link in so that you can learn for yourselves.

This is the ‘Bridge of Sighs’ at Oxford University.  It is a stone, Venetian-style bridge of Hertford college, spanning New College Lane.  If you notice a resemblance to another famous ‘Bridge of Sighs’ it is a ‘cousin’ of the famous one in Venice. This university is incredible and to think that it is virtually the whole town.  Wander around and around and decide to climb to the top of the Sheldonian Theatre (in the university) Cost ₤1.50.  Loads of steps but definitely well worth the effort. I arrive at the top – out of breath and legs killing. The views of Oxford and the spires are spectacular. Little bit hazy but good enough to take photos. Trying to remember I have only 2 hours here I race around but at the same time enjoy the views and the history of the place.  Little bit of trivia for those who love the Harry Potter stories and films – some of the sequences were filmed at this University.

My legs seemed to have recovered enough for me to walk back down the stairs and I head off to the town and discover a cute little arcade where I buy some lunch. Walking up those stairs must have given me an appetite.  The arcade is called ‘The Covered Market’ and was built in 1772 to rid the streets of ‘untidy, messy and unsavoury stalls’. It is a wonderful quaint little place that has lots of shops.  Butchers, bakers, shoemakers are all together in this jumble of smells and sounds.     I find a really great sandwich shop but they have so much on offer it is hard to decide what to get. Everything looks great but I decide on a huge roll with brie and mango. Yum !!! Taking my lunch, I try and find a place to sit. I decide to sit on the steps of the monument in the square and watch the world go by. See the picture on the right  the Monument is the one with the spire in the middle of the road. What a great place. No-one seems to mind that I am sitting here – in fact I am joined by others who are enjoying their lunch break.  What a great place to sit. After munching on half the roll it is time to press on.  Wrapping up the remainder of my lunch and stoshing it away in my bag for later I head back to our meeting place.  Of course there are the mandatory ‘late arrivals’ and we all hope that this is not going to be an ongoing thing.  Paul explains that if you are late – then we do not wait!  I make a mental note as I do not want to get stranded somewhere along the way.  Back onto the coach for a little less than ¾ of my seat as she has now bought stuff and it’s only the first day.  Deep breathing and meditation is planned.  I also have a plan that tomorrow morning I will get up early and be on the bus first to get the window and put forward the plan that we can swap window seats every day and that way it works out even.  Sounds fair to me.

We continue north driving through the area known as The Cotswolds and arrive at Stratford–upon–Avon.  Our first stop is Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. What a fabulous place. A thatched roof and a wonderful garden. For those whose literary skills have not advanced further than Superman comics - Anne Hathaway was married to William Shakespeare and more about him later.  We do not have time to go in and have a look around as Paul is busy organising the group photo.  Apparently every Insight tour takes a Group Photo.  We all stand in a group – the whole 40 of us – while we smile and I secretly wish we could explore a bit more instead of standing here like idiots.  If you want to buy it cost is ₤5 - I didn't.  Whilst, this group seems like a nice bunch, I would rather spend my money on something I like instead of a photo of people most of whom I will not remember the minute the tour ends.  On into the town itself. Very Elizabethan – just like the postcards. The coach drops us off and takes our bags to our accommodation for the night - the Thistle Hotel.

Paul gives us a very informative talk about the town, its history and of course William Shakespeare and then we are free to wander around and discover it by ourselves. But - - - before being left to our own devices we are told we can walk back to the hotel as it is not far – heard that one before - or we can get the bus back in a couple of hours. No wanting to take any chances I opt for the bus.  I immediately head off for Shakespeare’s birthplace. It is all set as if his family are still living there. I get to walk around the inside up the staircases and see all the rooms. And you can take photos! What a magic place. The rooms in the house are so small and the beds are so short that you wonder how on earth they slept without being all scrunched up.  Speaking of beds, it is a fact that the four posters with the canopy were used to stop any animal faeces dropping onto you while you slept. As the houses had thatched roofs, many a four footed friend used to make themselves comfortable in the warmth and of course animals being animals, well, we won’t go there.  Time to leave William and the family and discover a bit more of Stratford.  I discover the local sweet shop – what a treat.  Very old fashioned shop and a few bags of lollies later I head off to buy some postcards and stamps. The plan is to write them out tonight. Walking down the main street of Stratford it looks as if it’s going to storm any minute Black clouds start to come over but the day was hot and it didn’t rain. So on we go - walking down to the river which is really ‘English’ with little boats and very relaxing. There is a park that has many statues of Shakespeare’s characters – Hamlet, Lady Macbeth etc and also a memorial to The Bard himself.  There are lots of tourists around, but it is not uncomfortable. Time to get back on the bus for our drive to the hotel. Paul was right – it took about a minute and a half. Really quaint hotel right on the river and opposite the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. My room is small but very clean and there is a big bath. That will come in handy for a total relax later in the night.  It is still early and there is still much to do before dinner.  Drop off my goodies in the room and head for where William Shakespeare is buried - Holy Trinity Church (see photo below right)  - just a little walk from the Thistle Hotel. The Church closes at 5pm and I get there right on closing. I must look sad, flustered and forlorn because they take pity on me and let me in. Such lovely people.

The tomb is inside the church behind a barrier so you can’t get really close – and no photos allowed. But it is still interesting to see the tomb of ‘The Bard’. Outside, the church grounds are very serene – and there are old headstones which make for interesting reading. It is late in the afternoon but the sun is still shining brightly.  What a serene place. I think Shakespeare is content here.

I walk back along the river to the hotel. Time for a relaxing bath and get ready for complimentary drinks before dinner. Go down to the bar and because I could do with a drink I take a glass of wine from the trays already lined up.  No-one says anything about a limit so I have another two glasses. Only then do I find out that it was only 1 drink per guest.  Oops. Too late now and I am sure that there were a couple of people not drinking – so I had theirs!  Anyway – it is Much Ado About Nothing – and I am sure that the hotel will make up for any extras when they give Insight the account.  We get to move around and talk to everyone on the tour (that’s a Comedy of Errors if ever there was one) and then time for dinner. Into the nice dining room – very classy - - - it’s only the first day and already the big group is splitting into little groups. Oh well, I don’t mind.  Dinner was : Fanned Melon with Fruit Syrup / Grilled Salmon with Sun Dried Tomato Garnish and Jacket Potatoes / Meringue with Forest Berries & Coffee.  I am tired and so full of food that I can hardly move but I do manage to walk up the stairs to my room with the very positive attitude of writing out some postcards but alas, poor Yorrick the plan goes astray and I get into bed - Alls Well That Ends Well - decide to sleep, perchance to dream a Midsummer Night’s Dream - - 

 

 

 

 

Highlight of the day : remembering my Shakespeare from high school days.

2003 Discovering Britain & Ireland – Day 3

Time to become a tourist

Today is the day for the first Evan Evans Tour.  I have a comfortable night at the Hilton and the wake up call for 6am comes at 7am so just as well I am already awake due to my state of excitement. Get ready for the day and head downstairs. Have words with the concierge about the wake-up call.  He is very sorry and cannot understand why it was late.  Yeah, yeah.  The Continental Breakfast consists of cereal with vanilla yoghurt – some yellow citrus fruit – sounds awful but was nice, croissants, Danish pastry and coffee.  Was very daring and smuggled out a Danish pastry and yoghurt for dinner tonight. The legs are a bit stiff and sore but not as bad as I thought. A light misty rain starts to fall while waiting for the small bus to pick me up from the hotel at 7.45am. When the bus arrives I think this is good – not many of us on the tour and we are off – to Victoria Station. How nice – did not expect a lovely train trip but no, we have to change into a bigger bus. There are 30 on the tour – Americans, Indians (not red ones) and one token Aussie – ME!  We are off to tour Leeds Castle, Dover and Canterbury including the Cathedral. Weather is still showery – but it clears when we reach Leeds. Our driver, a lady by the name of Pat does a great job and our guide Cossetta is a real hoot. She says that we can get into the castle early and can have a look around before the tourists take over. Makes me wonder what she thinks we are. It is reputed to be ‘the loveliest castle in England’ and it doesn’t disappoint. A pretty, pretty place and they are preparing for a ‘Simply Red’ concert on Saturday night.  Apparently they have lots of open air concerts during the Summer months. I walk all over the castle and grounds which are stunning and try and take everything in. I just can’t get over how elegant this place is. Beautiful white swans on the lake, wonderful gardens. More photos – more photos. Going to run out of film the way things are going.

Back on the bus – next stop Dover. Starting to rain a bit heavier now. Past Gravesend where, we are told, the bodies were buried during the plague – now that’s a pleasant thought, I wonder if it is true. I’m glad she told us about that!

We get to Dover and can just see the white cliffs through the mist if we cover our eyes a bit and squint! They aren’t anything like I thought they would be – a chorus of Blue Birds over the White Cliffs of Dover as I walk along the beach which is made out of small pebbles – I get just a hint of the French coastline. Lots of the large ferries to and from France use this port. Also when people swim the English Channel they leave from here so we are told.  If that is the case then they can have it.  We aren’t going to Dover Castle as it is not part of the itinerary today so it’s just as well we were able to walk along the beach – no sand only pebbles - and take some photos.

Still misty rain but by the time we get to the top of the cliffs it has stopped.  We arrive at Canterbury about 1.15pm and are given the option of an ‘offered’ lunch with the group - cost ₤8.00. Second big mistake of the trip and I have only been here two days! A quarter of a chicken (the size of a budgie) and chips, apple pie (at least I thought it was apple pie) with pressurised cream out of a can and tea. Oh well at least it is food.  After our very appetising lunch and wondering why on earth we didn’t visit the local pie shop or pub where we would have got a much better meal most probably for half the cost the group heads off to Canterbury Cathedral admission ₤5.00 – more walking – but the good thing is we are told we can take photos inside. I make the most of the outside and start snapping away before heading inside.  Stopping to look at the carvings on the outside of the Cathedral makes you wonder just how they did it all those years ago. So intricate. 

HISTORY LESSON: The Cathedral's history goes back to 597AD when St Augustine, sent by Pope Gregory the Great as a missionary, established his seat (or 'Cathedra') in Canterbury. In 1170 Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in the Cathedral and ever since, the Cathedral has attracted thousands of pilgrims, as told famously in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

Time to go inside and look around.  On the right is the tomb of Henry IV (1367 – 1413) King of England & France and Lord of Ireland. He is buried with his second wife Joanna of Navarre.  Going down to the crypt I light some candles in memory of Dad, Nan, Uncle Ivan and Aunty Edna.  I bet they never thought that this would happen for them.  I am taken with the sheer history of the place. It’s hard to believe that this Cathedral was commenced 1500 years ago.  They are doing loads of restoration work on the outside so I suppose the ways of modern living is starting to take its toll.  Seems no matter where I go there is always some sort of restoration going on.

HISTORY LESSON: A pivotal moment in the history of Canterbury Cathedral was the murder of Thomas Becket in the north-east transept on Tuesday 29 December 1170 by knights of King Henry II. The king had frequent conflicts with the strong-willed Becket and is said to have exclaimed in frustration, "Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?" The knights took it literally and murdered Becket in his own cathedral. Becket was the second of four Archbishops of Canterbury who were murdered (see also Alphege).  Following a disastrous fire of 1174 which destroyed the entire eastern end, William of Sens rebuilt the choir with an important early example of the Early English Gothic design, including high pointed arches, flying buttresses, and rib vaulting. Later, William the Englishman added the Trinity Chapel as a shrine for the relics of St. Thomas the Martyr. The Corona (crown) Tower was built at the eastern end to contain the relic of the crown of St. Thomas's head which was struck off during his murder. Over time other significant burials took place in this area such as Edward Plantagenet (The 'Black Prince') and King Henry IV.

   

 

 

 

 

 

We leave Canterbury about 4pm and arrive back at out hotel. I have a lovely hot bath, soak and think about the Insight Tour that starts tomorrow and fall into bed after devouring my acquired food from this morning.

Highlight of the day : Canterbury Cathedral

2003 Discovering Britain & Ireland – Day 2

WAKE UP LONDON – I am here!

After a very long time in the air from Sydney to London - 23 hours, I have arrived. It is 6am. I run into the two Kiwi ladies again and they seem a bit bewildered. They are looking for the Insight guide to drive them to the hotel but that’s not how it works. I amble over to the Hotelink counter with all our transport vouchers in hand to put our name on the list and we wait for the shuttle bus. Have to wait 40 minutes before we leave. Dead tired but excited. Heathrow is not as exciting as Sydney airport – that’s for sure. Arrive at Kensington Hilton, on the far west outskirts of London.

I make sure the ladies are OK and settled before going to my room – 3031.  It has two single beds – room is a bit grubby and there is no view except for a parking area at the back of the hotel but that doesn’t matter. Main thing is a clean bathroom and comfortable bed.  Get myself organised, unpack a few clothes and I put the plan of attack into action. Objective – Hyde Park. Being rather adventurous I decide to walk. Out of hotel and turn right - BIG MISTAKE!  1 hour later and walking uphill all the way I arrive at Hyde Park. Never mind. I take a positive outlook and look at it as practice for the tour to come. Get out the map and head for everything I missed last time I was in London.

My first stop (also to use it to catch my breath) are the Italian Gardens. After the obligatory photos I can just sit, relax and enjoy the water features and the wonderful blooms.  These gardens are incredible.  Everything is wonderfully manicured to within an inch of its life and they are so clean.  Not a scrap of rubbish anywhere.

On the left is the Peter Pan Statue – The story of Peter Pan was written by James M. Barrie and published in 1906.  It is set in Kensington Gardens, a famous park in London, mostly after "Lock-Out Time", described by Barrie as the time at the end of the day when the park gates are closed to the public. After this time the fairies, and other magical inhabitants of the park, can move about more freely than during the daylight, when they must hide from ordinary people. It is an incredible story that was also brought to life by Walt Disney.  Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook and the infamous crocodile, at which you never smile - are just some of the unforgettable characters that inhabit Neverland, which of course everyone knows is situated on the second star to the right!

After remembering childhood memories it is time to move on the the Prince Albert Memorial.  This is a memorial dedicated to Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert.  Last time I was here it was being restored and was under wraps and hidden from view.  Today it is sitting in the park for all to see.  This is a magnificent monument. I’m glad that I can see it this time.

The grass in the park is very brown and nearly dead as it is a very hot and dry Summer. Feels just like being in Australia. But the day is wearing on so I must proceed to the next stop - Kensington Palace.  I do not go into the Palace but decide to roam around the lovely gardens. 

They are so peaceful considering they are right smack dab in the middle of London.  Water features, pathways, manicured lawns are just some of the fabulous views you get as you meander around thinking ‘this is where Princess Diana lived.’ 

After walking around I am thinking I’d better sit down for a while as the day is getting very hot and I need a rest. Sitting down near the Round Pond in Kensington Gardens I watch the swans and ducks. Nothing beats relaxing near any type of water.  It has a calming effect and gives you the energy to continue.  Heading for the exit and I discover Diana’s Memorial Playground.  This is designed with the Peter Pan stories in mind.  There is an indian village, a pirate ship and is a great place for children to roam around letting their imagination run wild.

After about 5 hours of meandering around everything and taking only 2 rolls of film I decide to head for home. This time it’s all downhill.  As if I haven’t eaten enough, I’m feeling a bit peckish and think what’s for dinner? I spy a KFC and get some popcorn chicken, chips and a drink. How adventurous is that?  Crawl into the hotel about 4pm. Ring Evan Evans to confirm the tour for tomorrow. Everything is set – they will pick me up from the hotel in the morning.  Decide a nice hot bath is a good idea for my tired body. Just can’t wait to see how I feel tomorrow morning – but it’s too late to turn back. Organise a wake up call for 6am.  No sooner am I in the bath, I start to fall asleep – I am exhausted.  Thinking it would be just my luck to drown in London I crawl out of the bath and into bed.

Highlight of the day: Peter Pan

2003 Discovering Britain & Ireland – Day 1

QANTAS TAKE ME AWAY – Goodbye Sydney

Finally the day has dawned and no more sleeps. Very excited but can still manage to get down a bit of breakfast before making sure (for the 100^th time) that I have everything including my passport and tickets. Cannot eat lunch – too excited – check passport and tickets again. Load the car with 1 large suitcase, 1 cabin bag and 1 rather large shoulder bag, check passport and tickets and it’s time to say farewell to Revesby. I can feel the excitement building as I spy the airport and the planes. My son Stuart is driving me to the airport and we arrive about 2.15pm and park the car. Yep and I check the passport and tickets again. The check-in queue is a mile long and loads of kids racing about so Stuart, who is looking rather strange, quickly takes up my offer to bid farewell and I am left by myself.  Book my suitcase through and have a wander around the terminal, dragging my cabin bag behind me and suffering extreme shoulder bag syndrome. Walk around waiting for my good friends Ann & Rhondda to arrive (remember them from Norfolk Island?)  – which they did – then the three amigos proceed to the nearest bar for a farewell drink or two. Lots of laughter and good humour all round - I am beginning to think that they came to the airport just to make sure I got on the plane and left the country!!!!!

4.00pm –through Customs and buy some duty free perfume – POEME & PLEASURES – what else??? Not a bottle of Amaretto to be found but I get some chocolates to compensate and still there are miles of kids. How can these people afford it? I make a mental note that the trip is on a slow downhill slide and we haven’t even left Sydney!!!!

ANNOUNCEMENT – Flight delayed for 15 minutes. No probs. Find a seat in the lounge and end up sitting near two older (much) ladies from NZ. They are doing the same tour as me and staying at same hotel. I wish I had another drink! Finally we get the announcement to board and I am on the plane a  747-400.  Lots of room and I have my own media system. WOW! There are 3 seats in my row and I have a spare seat beside me and no kids within coo-ee. I spread out and am looking forward to the journey before me.  Things are on the way up. Take off at 5.25pm – half an hour late but who cares – I am on my way. It is 5.50pm and I have discovered the Glen A. Baker channel – music from 1964. Things are definitely looking good. Have just been given the menu – dinner is not far away. Jan and Dean’s ‘Ride the Wild Surf’ is playing and I have the head set on and singing away, until I realise that maybe I am singing a little too loud!!! Hey - too bad. I am watching the screen with the flight pattern. Yes, the tourist is on the move.  So excited! Taking a break from the flight screen, I look up to see Braveheart is on the plane – well a cross between a sad looking 18 stone Billy Connolly and a rather dishevelled Braveheart wearing a kilt. Heading for the Tattoo??? Maybe the onboard entertainment??? His hair and beard could hide an entire Scottish Clan. Oh, oh. The missus has just popped up and she looks like him. This is proving interesting. I have a little chuckle to myself.

On Flight Data : current Time : 7.10pm OZ time Cruise Speed : 831/km hour / Altitude : 34,000 feet / 10363 metres Outside temperature : -41 degrees C / 7 hours and 6 minutes to Bangkok – 1337 km from Sydney.

Suddenly it’s time for dinner and I have chosen Green Leaf Salad with Herb Vinaigrette; Chicken Provencal with Pesto Risoni; White Wine, Cheese & Crackers – Coffee - Magnum Ice Cream.  After enjoying a wonderful meal (not to mention the wine) – it’s time for a little snooze.

Some more flight details : 12.20am Oz time – just flown over Brunei. Bangkok is 1 hour and 51 minutes away / Cruise speed : 569 mph (918 kmh) / altitude : 39000 feet / Outside temperature : -53 degrees C. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr !!!!! Glad I am not sitting on the wing. There is time for another small nap until woken up by the sound of the trolley. Yep more food. This time it is a light refreshment - Three Cheese Raviola with Beef, Tomato & Herb Sauce; seasonal fruit in Lime Syrup; Coffee.  I just love eating my way round the world! We land in Bangkok and have opted for the choice to ‘go ashore’ and stretch my legs and to walk off the weight I have put on in just a short time. Nice airport but not as nice as Singapore. Looking out for Amaretto again but did not find any. After about an hour of just wandering I get back on board and arrive to just what I need – more food – what is this? Supper : Glass Noodle Salad; Steamed Fish with Ginger Sauce; Sago Corn Pudding & Coffee. And just when you though it was safe to settle down and get some sleep – around comes the Flight Attendant with a Snack-on-Q bag. Bottle of water, fruit, yoghurt bar, lollies, biscuits. This is just in case you get peckish before breakfast. I am afraid to get some sleep in fear of being woken with more food but decide there mustn’t be anything else to feed us so I settle down for a nice long sleep and when I wake up the sun is on the horizon. So pretty with the clouds. The lady at the end of the row has the blanket pulled up over her face. I hope she hasn’t passed away during the night!  Check the flight screen - going over Kiev - only 3 and a half hours to London.

Cruise speed : 888 kmh Time in air from Bangkok: 8.07 hours / Altitude: 10972m Outside temperature: -50 degrees C / ETA London: 5.52am Distance to London: 2109 km.  Yep and then it starts all over again : breakfast: Orange Juice Banana and Pecan Nut Muffin Toasted Muesli Fresh Fruit Platter / Coffee

We had better do a lot of walking on this tour as I think I’ve put on 5kg since leaving Sydney!!!

Highlight of the day : being on the plane