1 August
The distance (and flight time) between Australia and the UK have not changed!
We flew Singapore Airlines this time.
The service was faultless. after eight hours of travel we had arrived in Singapore airport. An amazing airport that has fish ponds surrounded by real orchids, a butterfly garden and an outdoor sunflower garden. Lots to explore - which suited us as we had a seven hour wait over. Lucky for us they have a public area with some lounges that you can stretch out on and a bubbling fountain to relax by.
The second leg of the flight (Singapore to London) was on an A380. What a huge aircraft!
We were fortunate enough to have a spare seat next to us. This meant we actually got to lie down and sleep. Well, sleep meaning what it does when you fly! More like napping.
We arrived safely at London. We even arrived a little early, which was to no avail because the Brit immigration officer didn't start work until the planned arrival time. Fair enough!
Through immigration without a hitch. Caught the bus to Europcar and waited the arrival of Barry and Wendy. No more than 10 minutes or so. The rendezvous was achieved with absolute military precision... just as planned.
Picked up the hire car. Worked out how to drive it (peculiar stop start stuff). First task was to escape the Heathrow maze! Our first attempt had us going south. Not the direction of Scotland. After a wee drive southerly, we made a 180 degree turn and were now heading to The North (the signs actually say 'The North'). We had to makesome distance today, so a quick look at the map and we picked out Stratford upon Avon as a waypoint. We quickly noticed that the Poms have used a lot of Australian placenames. Quite an unoriginal lot!
Got to SuA, and went to William Shakespeare's house. When trying to park the car we discovered that we did know all the 'how the car works information'; in particular, how to reverse. Karen and I got out to push the car out of the way of waiting traffic! However, some more trial and error and the secrets of the Ford were discovered! Back at Bill's place. A nice cottage, a little old and Bill hasn't lived there for a few years. We took a stroll around town and decided on a beer at the Garrick Inn. (For Brett - I tried a Morland Old Hoppy Hen - Pale Ale. The innkeep told me the story of Indian Pale Ale and why they are so 'hoppy'. He was almost as thorough as you).
On to The North. Next stop Lincoln. We were all quite tired, so a quick meal in an English Pub (The Pride of Lincoln) and to bed. A hot shower was truly appreciated! A flat, non-moving bed even more so!!.
The distance (and flight time) between Australia and the UK have not changed!
We flew Singapore Airlines this time.
The service was faultless. after eight hours of travel we had arrived in Singapore airport. An amazing airport that has fish ponds surrounded by real orchids, a butterfly garden and an outdoor sunflower garden. Lots to explore - which suited us as we had a seven hour wait over. Lucky for us they have a public area with some lounges that you can stretch out on and a bubbling fountain to relax by.
The second leg of the flight (Singapore to London) was on an A380. What a huge aircraft!
We were fortunate enough to have a spare seat next to us. This meant we actually got to lie down and sleep. Well, sleep meaning what it does when you fly! More like napping.
 |
| Almost there. Twelve hours from Singapore to London. |
We arrived safely at London. We even arrived a little early, which was to no avail because the Brit immigration officer didn't start work until the planned arrival time. Fair enough!
Through immigration without a hitch. Caught the bus to Europcar and waited the arrival of Barry and Wendy. No more than 10 minutes or so. The rendezvous was achieved with absolute military precision... just as planned.
Picked up the hire car. Worked out how to drive it (peculiar stop start stuff). First task was to escape the Heathrow maze! Our first attempt had us going south. Not the direction of Scotland. After a wee drive southerly, we made a 180 degree turn and were now heading to The North (the signs actually say 'The North'). We had to makesome distance today, so a quick look at the map and we picked out Stratford upon Avon as a waypoint. We quickly noticed that the Poms have used a lot of Australian placenames. Quite an unoriginal lot!
Got to SuA, and went to William Shakespeare's house. When trying to park the car we discovered that we did know all the 'how the car works information'; in particular, how to reverse. Karen and I got out to push the car out of the way of waiting traffic! However, some more trial and error and the secrets of the Ford were discovered! Back at Bill's place. A nice cottage, a little old and Bill hasn't lived there for a few years. We took a stroll around town and decided on a beer at the Garrick Inn. (For Brett - I tried a Morland Old Hoppy Hen - Pale Ale. The innkeep told me the story of Indian Pale Ale and why they are so 'hoppy'. He was almost as thorough as you).
On to The North. Next stop Lincoln. We were all quite tired, so a quick meal in an English Pub (The Pride of Lincoln) and to bed. A hot shower was truly appreciated! A flat, non-moving bed even more so!!.
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