Arriving in England

Well finally I arrived, well the plane did - after what seemed like an eternity, at Heathrow. Actually, flight was only as bad as can be expected when you have to sit crammed into a seat for about 24 or 25 hours. I managed to grab some sleep, particularly on the first leg.

Transit stop Los Angeles, what a joke. Basically stood for 2 hours in a queue in order for my finger prints to be taken, eyes scanned and then back on board the plane via a very quick toilet stop and a 5 minute coffee stop in the transit lounge.

Arrival in London - 10 degrees!!!  Yes, that's right and it is meant to be the English summer. I'm sure it was warmer in NZ than that when I left.

After negotiating my way through the passport control - of course they were very keen to know exactly how a NZ girl was going to support herself in the UK for 6 months with no job before they gave me an entry stamp. I smiled sweetly, used my magical charms and presto I had my 6 month entry stamp, no work allowed. Fine by me at the moment. I headed out through into the arrivals hall to be met by Sarah (and later Peter in the car).

Off we headed to Ascot, after a couple of very strong coffees, some lunch and a hot shower, we headed out. Sarah and Peter's task to keep me awake until a decent hour when I could finally go to bed. I must say the alcohol at the local pub, not the best move in achieving their goal but the walk in the fresh air did the trick. Managed to stay up until a very reasonable 8pm when I crashed and slept till 6am the next morning - thank god. Means no effects of jet lag at all. Great.

Day two dawned, weather not so good, even worse than the day before. Temperature sitting around the 6 degree mark.

Headed to Oxford for a visit - spent most of the time in a pub. Was the warmest place we could find to sit and keep dry and warm.

Ventured to another local of Sarah and Peter's that night for a few more quiets - this is shaping up to be a good holiday already.