Back Home To A Country In Mourning!

Yesterday, we bid an emotional farewell to Marin and Vlatka, as we made our way back to London. We had a wonderful stay in Croatia, but it was time to say goodbye and start on the next leg of our journey. I was up at an unearthly 2.30 am; Marin had to take us to Split Airport before he started work. Luckily, the roads were clear, and we arrived within an hour. I have to admit I felt rather emotional saying au revoir to Marin, especially not knowing when we will be returning again. Nevertheless, it was time to go and begin this new chapter in our life. Travel keeps our blood pumping strong and no matter how much I hate flying, I understand it is a necessary evil to live the life we lead.

The flight to London was a little more turbulent than usual and the plane felt quite unstable at times, although I'm sure it wasn't. With Darrell lost in music, a gentleman over the other side of the isle, looking as terrified as me, kept my spirits up. Our grimacing faces turned to laughter on occasion, as the plane rocked up and down, side to side. As the turbulence subsided and the seatbelt sign was turned off, we just looked at each other, patting one another on the back; we were happy to be alive!

Arriving in Britain felt strange, this was a country in mourning, and it could be seen wherever you looked. I was supposed to meet my dear friend John and travel to central London to lay flowers for the late Queen, but circumstances conspired to put a halt to that. Darrell was delayed through customs, as he always is. His Australian passport has always been a source of angst, especially with such a lot of movement in and out of the UK. He was asked to produce his Identification card, to clear up confusion with his rights to remain here, which cleared up any ambiguity, and he was allowed to pass through the boarder finally, later than we planned.

After frantic communication with John, we both decided he should lay flowers from both of us, since I had no time to get to Westminster. He has bought some beautiful flowers for The Queen, and I was delighted when he sent me the photo's. John and I have always been Royalists and have had many heartfelt conversations about them over the years. I am disappointed I can't see him before I leave, but I know it won't be too long before I see him again.

It took an hour to travel from Gatwick Airport to our hotel in Heathrow, and I have never been so happy to finally put my feet up. At 51, all this travelling is so much harder than it was when I was in my twenties, so the odd comfy hotel along the way is an absolute must. My years of backpacking are well and truly over.

You can never go wrong with Premier Inn and we both had a decent evening meal, even if it did take an hour to get to the table, and a lovely breakfast this morning. The best reason to stay at a Premier Inn, mind you, is because of the decent night's sleep you get. I slept like a baby, and God knows I needed it.

Later today, we fly to Bangkok in Thailand on an eleven-hour flight. This is not my most favourite part of the journey and after yesterday's turbulent flight from Split, I am more nervous than ever. Once the flying is out of the way, I am looking forward to an eventful adventure is this beautiful Asian country, that I have never visited before. Until our arrival, I will be signing off for now, but hope to blog as often as I can when I arrive. Goodbye Britain, it's been brief, but very emotional!

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