After making sure I got a good night’s sleep I did, and woke ready to go at 6:45 with the alarm. After checking emails, etc., I prepared and was down for breakfast at 7:30 and again enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before finishing preparing and then contacting Pat and Terry and arranging to pop up with the washing.
I noted the travel time to Gatwick and then was at Redhill well before 10. The washing went on and we settled down to have a bit of a chat while Terry and Ken finished off the preparation for the new backyard accommodations and … the water went off. Water works in the High Street and off course no flow.
Waiting a while, we chatted and Pat gave me an atlas to look at – a fatal mistake for a map junkie like me. Then it was comparisons of distances, locations, timing of my trips across Australia, relative positions of England and Canada (England is level with the middle of Canada and reaches towards the highest parts of Canada, but is much warmer due to the Gulf Stream). It started to hail just after Terry and Ken came in, but soon cleared up.
We all had some lunch (I was only planning to stay a few minutes originally) and then Pat, then Ken, had to go out. I looked at some of the photos Terry has now archived on the computer and saw photos of my grandmother, aunts and uncles, and cousins at various ages. Great fun, but then I had to go, as Ken had intimated that HMV in Crawley may have a DVD (Drop the Dead Donkey Series 4-6) which I was looking for.
It was a relatively (for England) quick trip to Crawley and a time to find HMV until I realised I was standing almost in front of the store. I then found out what the trouble was – it was to be issued in June this year, which is why the other dealer couldn’t get it in January.
After that it was back to Worthing and unpack, then a little walk to work off what I had eaten (except I then got some tea while out walking), a look along the waterfront (memo: do not take children to the beach, get them to walk along the tideline and then tell them not to get wet – it doesn’t work!) and then back in.
I had forgotten that in England, because of the high latitudes, there is a long twilight and so it takes a long time to get dark. So as the night wears on, it darkens at a far slower rate than I expect. I have to close the blinds to make sure I think it is later.
Tomorrow I have to arrange to see Peggy and Alan and Cathie, and also to pick up the washing from Pat and Terry.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
6 April
As it was Sunday I slept in a little and woke at just before 8 (although I still woke at the normal time for me, just turned over and dozed), got ready for breakfast and was down by 8:30. Again it was a leisurely breakfast, with occasional chats with Linda and Chris’ brother (about Massey Ferguson tractors and levees), before I returned to finish preparing to go out. Just then I noticed it had started to snow and already it was building up.
I walked to the car amid falling and driving snow and it really did feel cool on my head (I should have put the hood of the jacket up). At the car, just opening the door allowed snow to land and build up inside the car, so I had to do everything quickly. When I went to drive off, I had to use both front and back wipers to clear enough to see.
It is only two and a half miles to Peggy’s, so I took it easy and found, as she had said, that the road was full of cars. I went around the back to where the garages were, and then dashed to the back door to ask for the key. That was okay, but of course Peggy told me the garage was on the right (but she didn’t say which right, which for dyslexic people like me is necessary, but she corrected that when she saw I couldn’t open the door. Once I got to the correct door, and opened it, I found the garage was only a foot wider than the car – so leaving an inch of clearance for the mirror on the other side (which I just now realise I could have folded in), I had about seven inches to open the door on my side. I took the laptop and maps, and ran (after locking the door) as it was still snowing quite heavily.
Inside, I sat, displacing the cat cushion, and Peggy and I chatted. Then I got the laptop and found the pictures of Velma at Melbourne and also photos of Terry and Pat at Melbourne. After running through photos of Fran and family, it was then time to prepare dinner, which Peggy did while we then did some more details on the family tree. All of this proved very interesting to me, as while I knew I still had things to find out about the Mullett side, for the last few years I had been concentrating on the Pound side and that, detective-style investigation as it was, had taken all my energy. Over lunch Peggy revealed more about the family that she knew, so now there are a few more blanks which can be filled in (but, naturally, a few more blanks created).
After that we discussed how things had changed over the last few years, including schools and students (and parent expectation and transport), public services and communication. All of this was fascinating, and Peggy continued to ply me with tea (I had run out of room for food, and so the offer of dessert, while yearned for longingly, was something I had to refuse lest I explode over the inside of her home).
The snow had stopped and the (weak) sunshine had melted most of the snow, except that on cars. However, as the weather was far more pleasant, I left to travel back to my B&B in the warmth of the 3°C afternoon. By the time I was back, it was close to 6, so I did the first of my computer work, posted the (no) photos and then did some writing, sending some postcards back to Australia.
After that I did some reading and then retired for an early evening.
I walked to the car amid falling and driving snow and it really did feel cool on my head (I should have put the hood of the jacket up). At the car, just opening the door allowed snow to land and build up inside the car, so I had to do everything quickly. When I went to drive off, I had to use both front and back wipers to clear enough to see.
It is only two and a half miles to Peggy’s, so I took it easy and found, as she had said, that the road was full of cars. I went around the back to where the garages were, and then dashed to the back door to ask for the key. That was okay, but of course Peggy told me the garage was on the right (but she didn’t say which right, which for dyslexic people like me is necessary, but she corrected that when she saw I couldn’t open the door. Once I got to the correct door, and opened it, I found the garage was only a foot wider than the car – so leaving an inch of clearance for the mirror on the other side (which I just now realise I could have folded in), I had about seven inches to open the door on my side. I took the laptop and maps, and ran (after locking the door) as it was still snowing quite heavily.
Inside, I sat, displacing the cat cushion, and Peggy and I chatted. Then I got the laptop and found the pictures of Velma at Melbourne and also photos of Terry and Pat at Melbourne. After running through photos of Fran and family, it was then time to prepare dinner, which Peggy did while we then did some more details on the family tree. All of this proved very interesting to me, as while I knew I still had things to find out about the Mullett side, for the last few years I had been concentrating on the Pound side and that, detective-style investigation as it was, had taken all my energy. Over lunch Peggy revealed more about the family that she knew, so now there are a few more blanks which can be filled in (but, naturally, a few more blanks created).
After that we discussed how things had changed over the last few years, including schools and students (and parent expectation and transport), public services and communication. All of this was fascinating, and Peggy continued to ply me with tea (I had run out of room for food, and so the offer of dessert, while yearned for longingly, was something I had to refuse lest I explode over the inside of her home).
The snow had stopped and the (weak) sunshine had melted most of the snow, except that on cars. However, as the weather was far more pleasant, I left to travel back to my B&B in the warmth of the 3°C afternoon. By the time I was back, it was close to 6, so I did the first of my computer work, posted the (no) photos and then did some writing, sending some postcards back to Australia.
After that I did some reading and then retired for an early evening.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
5 April
Very reluctantly I got up at 8 and prepared for breakfast at 8:30. Mine hosts had also had a late night and Linda and Chris had a good evening and Linda was not very awake. I had my usual English breakfast, finished getting ready and went down to Worthing and used an ATM for a cash withdrawal for the first time. Fortunately the machine did not swallow my card and the correct amount of money came out. I also did a little shopping, finding a variety of hand sanitiser, just in case I need it while in Europe. I walked back, did a little more computer work and then headed out to Redhill. Along the way I called in and got an AA road atlas of Britain so I can orient myself (although I want to relate it to north, not to the east) as I travel around.
I arrived at Terry and Pat’s just a little early (four hours), but that time soon went with looking at Terry’s work in the back yard and future plans and then looking at a few pictures on the laptop of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. After Ken came in, there was a little on family history and we were each able to supply information to lead us further along the path to having what we were after.
Jean and Joe turned up and then we all had a most enjoyable meal together, Pat cooking the soup and main course and Jean the dessert. I am more than ever convinced they are using me as a store against a bad season as I was encouraged to eat far too much, partly by cajoling and partly because the food was so good it was impossible to refuse anything.
After dinner we had further discussion about family and world events and then Jean and Joe had to depart. We went back to the photos and time flew until I had to leave for my abode at about 11:30, arriving back at 12:20 and still having to do this computer work before hitting the hay (and then going to bed and to sleep). So brevity, rather than wit or descriptive narrative, is the essence of my blog today. Apologies, but otherwise I would ramble and become disjointed (so what's new?).
I arrived at Terry and Pat’s just a little early (four hours), but that time soon went with looking at Terry’s work in the back yard and future plans and then looking at a few pictures on the laptop of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. After Ken came in, there was a little on family history and we were each able to supply information to lead us further along the path to having what we were after.
Jean and Joe turned up and then we all had a most enjoyable meal together, Pat cooking the soup and main course and Jean the dessert. I am more than ever convinced they are using me as a store against a bad season as I was encouraged to eat far too much, partly by cajoling and partly because the food was so good it was impossible to refuse anything.
After dinner we had further discussion about family and world events and then Jean and Joe had to depart. We went back to the photos and time flew until I had to leave for my abode at about 11:30, arriving back at 12:20 and still having to do this computer work before hitting the hay (and then going to bed and to sleep). So brevity, rather than wit or descriptive narrative, is the essence of my blog today. Apologies, but otherwise I would ramble and become disjointed (so what's new?).
Friday, April 4, 2008
4 April
After a good night’s sleep I was up and ready for breakfast at 8. This time there was no-one else with me and I munched my way through while in conversation with Linda and Chris. After a while I dragged myself away and had a look for AA offices on the Internet – couldn’t find any listed anywhere.
I packed everything and headed out to the car. This time it was a few spaces up over the intersection, so it was a few moments to get there. Everything went in and then I was off to Peggy’s. The door was open before I got there and so I was quickly in with the computer and camera. In between cups of tea and a light lunch, I managed to show Peggy some pictures and meet the cats. In no time it was early afternoon and I had to leave and head off to Alan and Cathie.
Here again it was unload the computer and camera, with maps as well. I went through my trip in the US and illustrated it with some photos, and also went through where I travel in Australia and went through some photos of that too. Then it was the hazards of travel, anywhere but Australia in particular (I couldn’t fool them that you had to “Beware of Penguins” because they could attack you or your vehicle). Then we slipped sideways into family history and within a minute over four hours had gone. With side excursions into surnames, different spellings and other things, it was nearly 8 before I finally left (they had a previous commitment for the evening) and headed back to my B&B. I managed to park closer (surprising, as this was Friday night, but perhaps people had gone out and that’s why spots were empty.
Once upstairs, I checked my email and answered a few, then went out to get some tea (there are REAL fish and chip shops here and the better ones are crowded) and slowly walked along the promenade eating chips. There was one boat out fishing (actually a boat out and the occupants fishing) and its lights were clearly visible from the promenade.
Then it was back up again, write this blog, fix up and upload the pictures and then time to get to sleep and catch up for a little I lost being later last night.
I packed everything and headed out to the car. This time it was a few spaces up over the intersection, so it was a few moments to get there. Everything went in and then I was off to Peggy’s. The door was open before I got there and so I was quickly in with the computer and camera. In between cups of tea and a light lunch, I managed to show Peggy some pictures and meet the cats. In no time it was early afternoon and I had to leave and head off to Alan and Cathie.
Here again it was unload the computer and camera, with maps as well. I went through my trip in the US and illustrated it with some photos, and also went through where I travel in Australia and went through some photos of that too. Then it was the hazards of travel, anywhere but Australia in particular (I couldn’t fool them that you had to “Beware of Penguins” because they could attack you or your vehicle). Then we slipped sideways into family history and within a minute over four hours had gone. With side excursions into surnames, different spellings and other things, it was nearly 8 before I finally left (they had a previous commitment for the evening) and headed back to my B&B. I managed to park closer (surprising, as this was Friday night, but perhaps people had gone out and that’s why spots were empty.
Once upstairs, I checked my email and answered a few, then went out to get some tea (there are REAL fish and chip shops here and the better ones are crowded) and slowly walked along the promenade eating chips. There was one boat out fishing (actually a boat out and the occupants fishing) and its lights were clearly visible from the promenade.
Then it was back up again, write this blog, fix up and upload the pictures and then time to get to sleep and catch up for a little I lost being later last night.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
3 April
Very reluctant to get up this morning. Though the room and bed are small and there are shared facilities, it is still very comfortable and far more friendly than any of the motels or hotels in North America. For anyone who hasn’t stayed in a B&B in England, they are often family homes where the children have moved out and there are spare bedrooms and bathroom(s). Usually the family (husband and wife) or single person running it (widow) lives downstairs and the dining room is there, while everyone else stays upstairs. Breakfast is a communal affair and often interactive between guest and host and guests.
Sometimes there is a communal lounge, but not always. Sometimes supper is included, but always breakfast is, and a fine repast it usually is – and here is no exception.
Facilities are usually rather homely, but always clean and well-maintained.
After getting ready and having breakfast (met all the other guests now – one from US, one originally from India and one from Africa/Caribbean) I headed off for Peggy’s. I had already misplaced her number (didn’t put it into the mobile) so I got it from her, then headed off to Cornwall. I let the SatNav guide me, as I only have a sheet map of Britain (I will see if I can get an AA Road Atlas) with me, to save weight. It took me on a varied route, not the one I would have chosen (I would have gone north-west to the motorway and then straight to Cornwall – perhaps longer, but usually quicker and far less stress on me and the car).
On the way down I saw all the signposts to different places and they brought back memories of driving there with mum and dad. I didn’t go in to see any (so missed the puddles) as my prime purpose was to visit. I filled up on the way down (fill the car, go in, pay – actually got to chat to the attendant instead of getting an LCD message telling me about specials and that I should call in to the shop) but will have to wait until later to see how it performs.
I arrived at St Agnes just before 2:30 (normally I would have been a lot earlier, but while I’m here I’m sleeping in) and enquired about the village I was looking for. The first person I asked was able to give general directions, but on the way there I accosted a couple delivering advertising brochures (is this the modern curse of all of civilisation?) and they gave slightly different directions, but also named the village differently. I headed off and asked a third person (woman gardening) along the way and this time got there straight away (if you can call a winding lane straight). I asked the first one there about Emma and, as usual coincidences do occur, her name was Emma – but not the one I was looking for. I was directed to one of two houses, but no answer. I tried at another house (with children – bikes and scooters littered in the drive) and was assured Emma did live in the middle house, but they had not introduced themselves mutually. However, Emma’s surname was shared by a plate I had passed on my way, so after leaving a note in the letterbox (and an apology in case it wasn’t Emma) I called into the company and found … Emma’s husband, Tom! In the meantime I also visited Parrenporth and found, like a lot of villages, parking restrictions and charges were coming in for the summer. I didn’t get a look because the sea-mist was in and I couldn’t see the beach from the cliff lookout. I got some late lunch there and also got some postcards and souvenirs (another parcel soon, Fran).
After a quick introduction and call (she was at her mother’s), I was given accurate directions and headed off, to find her mother’s house was almost behind the first place I had asked directions at.
I knocked on the door and there was Emma, with Goran (just short of a year old). I met Goran and her mother (Dorothy), had a chat, a cup of tea, took some photos, caught up on people and then it was time to return.
The drive back was a little quicker because of less traffic, and coincidentally I filled up at the same petrol station as I had on the way up. I was back at my B&B by 10:30 and had everything done by 11:30 and was quickly to bed and to sleep.
Sometimes there is a communal lounge, but not always. Sometimes supper is included, but always breakfast is, and a fine repast it usually is – and here is no exception.
Facilities are usually rather homely, but always clean and well-maintained.
After getting ready and having breakfast (met all the other guests now – one from US, one originally from India and one from Africa/Caribbean) I headed off for Peggy’s. I had already misplaced her number (didn’t put it into the mobile) so I got it from her, then headed off to Cornwall. I let the SatNav guide me, as I only have a sheet map of Britain (I will see if I can get an AA Road Atlas) with me, to save weight. It took me on a varied route, not the one I would have chosen (I would have gone north-west to the motorway and then straight to Cornwall – perhaps longer, but usually quicker and far less stress on me and the car).
On the way down I saw all the signposts to different places and they brought back memories of driving there with mum and dad. I didn’t go in to see any (so missed the puddles) as my prime purpose was to visit. I filled up on the way down (fill the car, go in, pay – actually got to chat to the attendant instead of getting an LCD message telling me about specials and that I should call in to the shop) but will have to wait until later to see how it performs.
I arrived at St Agnes just before 2:30 (normally I would have been a lot earlier, but while I’m here I’m sleeping in) and enquired about the village I was looking for. The first person I asked was able to give general directions, but on the way there I accosted a couple delivering advertising brochures (is this the modern curse of all of civilisation?) and they gave slightly different directions, but also named the village differently. I headed off and asked a third person (woman gardening) along the way and this time got there straight away (if you can call a winding lane straight). I asked the first one there about Emma and, as usual coincidences do occur, her name was Emma – but not the one I was looking for. I was directed to one of two houses, but no answer. I tried at another house (with children – bikes and scooters littered in the drive) and was assured Emma did live in the middle house, but they had not introduced themselves mutually. However, Emma’s surname was shared by a plate I had passed on my way, so after leaving a note in the letterbox (and an apology in case it wasn’t Emma) I called into the company and found … Emma’s husband, Tom! In the meantime I also visited Parrenporth and found, like a lot of villages, parking restrictions and charges were coming in for the summer. I didn’t get a look because the sea-mist was in and I couldn’t see the beach from the cliff lookout. I got some late lunch there and also got some postcards and souvenirs (another parcel soon, Fran).
After a quick introduction and call (she was at her mother’s), I was given accurate directions and headed off, to find her mother’s house was almost behind the first place I had asked directions at.
I knocked on the door and there was Emma, with Goran (just short of a year old). I met Goran and her mother (Dorothy), had a chat, a cup of tea, took some photos, caught up on people and then it was time to return.
The drive back was a little quicker because of less traffic, and coincidentally I filled up at the same petrol station as I had on the way up. I was back at my B&B by 10:30 and had everything done by 11:30 and was quickly to bed and to sleep.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
2 April
For the first time in ages I woke up with the alarm (at 7). Up not long after to get ready for breakfast and then down by 8 to start (had to put both the time and the menu in last night). Started off well with a pot of tea and toast (so I could have my Vegemite). Then followed a repast of baked beans, bacon (cooked, not killed!), sausage, tomato, hash brown and egg. Ah, it brought back very fond memories of B&Bs past.
During breakfast I chatted with Linda (proprietoress), Chris (husband, supervisor of mental health nurses) and Goram (fellow guest). Breakfast extended for a time as it was difficult to enjoy the food in a hurry. Finally I dragged myself away and got ready to leave and headed off for Alan’s place. I was there not too long after 9:30 where, after some initial difficulty, I got to meet Alan again for the first time in twenty-seven years (I lie – I got to meet Cathie, who, I hadn’t heard of, but who was obviously very good for Alan, because when I got to meet him five minutes later, he looked only a few years older than the last time I saw him.
Things settled down very quickly as we all chatted away. Cathie had picked me up as an “adopted” relative as mum had with dad’s cousins in England, so she was already aware of my habits, interests and life events over the last years. During conversation about computers, Cathie rang her daughter Paula who dropped over. Between discussing iPods, computers, laptops and what I had seen in the US (I showed some photos on the laptop as Alan and Cathie don’t have email access at home and so hadn’t seen my blog or my pictures – which they may well be grateful for once they do get access to them), the time raced by and suddenly I realised it was 11:50 and I had said I would most likely be at Terry and Pat’s by 11:45. As I am not Dr Who (who?), I said quick apologies and will make another time or two before I have to leave to catch up with them.
The SatNav again came to the rescue and gave an ETA of 12:30 so I passed that onto Pat and Terry. An uneventful drive saw me there on time and after a relatively quick chat I was whisked off to the Grasshopper Inn (an olde world pub) for lunch. We all had steak and each of us got it the way ordered and it was very good. This again was a leisurely affair and we headed off at 2:30 to catch up with more cousins. We met Jean and Joe at Chartwell, Churchill’s home, and I was given a tour of the grounds and the house. It was most interesting, with volunteers there to keep an eye on things (NO PHOTOS allowed) and many interesting exhibits, from Churchill’s family and political life as well as contemporary things.
Then it was afternoon tea (gee, I wondered whether anyone had ulterior motives and I was being fattened up for later), a farewell to Jean and Joe and back to Pat and Terry’s. Here I met son Ken and then we all had a talk until Ken headed out and then an hour chat extended into well over two hours and it was time for me to head back to my base.
The drive back was quick (little traffic) and the SatNav is now putting up speed limits, as it did in Australia but didn’t in the US, for main roads and highways. It was 9:45 before I got back (and filled out tomorrow’s breakfast menu) and then started on computer work. Flickr was playing up, as it sometimes does, telling me my version of Safari was too old and I should download another version (which in fact is older than what I have), but I will try again later (when it should work – the photos are there, just not quite in the correct spot).
Once this blog is uploaded, I’m off to sleep – for how long I’m not sure.
By the way, I did make it to England successfully. As an aside, the dual convex mirrors on the Peugeot mean I can only use them as digital devices, not analogue, so I can look to see if something is there, but if it is I then have to use my centre mirror (planar) or turn around to estimate distances and locations. I cannot believe they are legal, but then again hanging and burning witches and drowning gossips was once legal too until those who made laws came to their sanity. I’m reminded that high centre brake lights were also illegal in Australia but are now compulsory. I just hope too many are not killed until this mistake is rectified.
During breakfast I chatted with Linda (proprietoress), Chris (husband, supervisor of mental health nurses) and Goram (fellow guest). Breakfast extended for a time as it was difficult to enjoy the food in a hurry. Finally I dragged myself away and got ready to leave and headed off for Alan’s place. I was there not too long after 9:30 where, after some initial difficulty, I got to meet Alan again for the first time in twenty-seven years (I lie – I got to meet Cathie, who, I hadn’t heard of, but who was obviously very good for Alan, because when I got to meet him five minutes later, he looked only a few years older than the last time I saw him.
Things settled down very quickly as we all chatted away. Cathie had picked me up as an “adopted” relative as mum had with dad’s cousins in England, so she was already aware of my habits, interests and life events over the last years. During conversation about computers, Cathie rang her daughter Paula who dropped over. Between discussing iPods, computers, laptops and what I had seen in the US (I showed some photos on the laptop as Alan and Cathie don’t have email access at home and so hadn’t seen my blog or my pictures – which they may well be grateful for once they do get access to them), the time raced by and suddenly I realised it was 11:50 and I had said I would most likely be at Terry and Pat’s by 11:45. As I am not Dr Who (who?), I said quick apologies and will make another time or two before I have to leave to catch up with them.
The SatNav again came to the rescue and gave an ETA of 12:30 so I passed that onto Pat and Terry. An uneventful drive saw me there on time and after a relatively quick chat I was whisked off to the Grasshopper Inn (an olde world pub) for lunch. We all had steak and each of us got it the way ordered and it was very good. This again was a leisurely affair and we headed off at 2:30 to catch up with more cousins. We met Jean and Joe at Chartwell, Churchill’s home, and I was given a tour of the grounds and the house. It was most interesting, with volunteers there to keep an eye on things (NO PHOTOS allowed) and many interesting exhibits, from Churchill’s family and political life as well as contemporary things.
Then it was afternoon tea (gee, I wondered whether anyone had ulterior motives and I was being fattened up for later), a farewell to Jean and Joe and back to Pat and Terry’s. Here I met son Ken and then we all had a talk until Ken headed out and then an hour chat extended into well over two hours and it was time for me to head back to my base.
The drive back was quick (little traffic) and the SatNav is now putting up speed limits, as it did in Australia but didn’t in the US, for main roads and highways. It was 9:45 before I got back (and filled out tomorrow’s breakfast menu) and then started on computer work. Flickr was playing up, as it sometimes does, telling me my version of Safari was too old and I should download another version (which in fact is older than what I have), but I will try again later (when it should work – the photos are there, just not quite in the correct spot).
Once this blog is uploaded, I’m off to sleep – for how long I’m not sure.
By the way, I did make it to England successfully. As an aside, the dual convex mirrors on the Peugeot mean I can only use them as digital devices, not analogue, so I can look to see if something is there, but if it is I then have to use my centre mirror (planar) or turn around to estimate distances and locations. I cannot believe they are legal, but then again hanging and burning witches and drowning gossips was once legal too until those who made laws came to their sanity. I’m reminded that high centre brake lights were also illegal in Australia but are now compulsory. I just hope too many are not killed until this mistake is rectified.
1 April
Surprisingly, only a short time later (but in reality four hours) we were woken for breakfast – for my special diabetic meal, having done nothing for so many hours, I got fruit, the highest sugar I could have been given, so I only had part of it. That was brief, as we were approaching Heathrow early, and we had to prepare for landing. Just after we did, we were put into a holding pattern and waited another half hour before we could finally land. It was like something from a movie at first, all these planes visible out the window circling above the clouds and weaving in and out. However finally we entered the clouds and bumpy conditions, and then landed at Heathrow. Then there was another ten minutes taxiing to Terminal 4, British Airways terminal.
Unloading from the plane was quicker than usual, or seemed that way. I said goodbye and good luck to the Lauras as they headed off for their connecting flights and I headed off to Immigration. Out with my new EU passport and I was straight through, with NO STAMP – all electronic these days, so no real souvenir of all my travelling.
Then it was waiting for the luggage. I really hoped it didn’t get lost, because I had forgotten and left all the lease documents for the car in Europe in it. It finally did turn up (memo to self: remember first on usually means last luggage off). Some of the luggage at least had been searched as a number of items carried prominent “SEE CUSTOMS” labels (and no doubt had electronic coding as well, in case you were tempted to carry it through the “Nothing to Declare” door). Off through the “Nothing to Declare” door and I was out. As at LA, Alamo had a bus delivery service and off I went, to find nearly all the car rental firms shared the same premises, same desk and same workers (but logged onto the computer differently for the different companies). I ended up with a little Peugeot which is very similar to my Barina but has two convex (read totally useless) external mirrors. I eventually found my way out of the parking area and headed off to Redhill, where cousins were … out. Then headed off down to Lancing where cousin Peggy was … in! Had a chat and a cup of tea, then headed off to Worthing. Visited the Information Centre and found a place to stay for a few days (car parking is the only problems) and then headed off to book in.
I found the place (it took longer to drive than if I had walked) and booked in. Took my suitcase up and then went off for a walk around the town and the seafront. Got some tea while out and was back not long before 6.
I set the laptop up and checked emails (none) and then started doing my computer work. Changed into PJs and then found I was asleep.
Unloading from the plane was quicker than usual, or seemed that way. I said goodbye and good luck to the Lauras as they headed off for their connecting flights and I headed off to Immigration. Out with my new EU passport and I was straight through, with NO STAMP – all electronic these days, so no real souvenir of all my travelling.
Then it was waiting for the luggage. I really hoped it didn’t get lost, because I had forgotten and left all the lease documents for the car in Europe in it. It finally did turn up (memo to self: remember first on usually means last luggage off). Some of the luggage at least had been searched as a number of items carried prominent “SEE CUSTOMS” labels (and no doubt had electronic coding as well, in case you were tempted to carry it through the “Nothing to Declare” door). Off through the “Nothing to Declare” door and I was out. As at LA, Alamo had a bus delivery service and off I went, to find nearly all the car rental firms shared the same premises, same desk and same workers (but logged onto the computer differently for the different companies). I ended up with a little Peugeot which is very similar to my Barina but has two convex (read totally useless) external mirrors. I eventually found my way out of the parking area and headed off to Redhill, where cousins were … out. Then headed off down to Lancing where cousin Peggy was … in! Had a chat and a cup of tea, then headed off to Worthing. Visited the Information Centre and found a place to stay for a few days (car parking is the only problems) and then headed off to book in.
I found the place (it took longer to drive than if I had walked) and booked in. Took my suitcase up and then went off for a walk around the town and the seafront. Got some tea while out and was back not long before 6.
I set the laptop up and checked emails (none) and then started doing my computer work. Changed into PJs and then found I was asleep.
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