Devon-not the meat, the County!

Up early, with the body still adjusting to the time difference. Down for a big all you can eat buffet breakfast at Hounslow Travelodge. Yummy! Our travellers survival instincts kicked in automatically with Angela and I taking 4 mini-muffins to stash in our backpacks for morning tea later! Ha.

Drove off on the A30, crossed the M25 and headed north west to Windsor. Stopped there and walked around the base of the famous Castle. The guards could not answer Ryan's question of "is the Queen here today" as we could not see the top of the flagpole and see whether the union flag or royal standard was flying. The fog was a real pea-souper that is famous over here and it stayed with us the whole day. Very trying driving conditions as a result. Headed further west from Windsor, following the Thames to Henley-on-Thames (think famous rowing location) and then to Reading (again on the Thames). Continued driving out into Wiltshire and eventually through the mist on the next hill appeared a famous set of rocks. Quite spooky until you realise that you are at Stonehenge! Parked the car and got out into the freezing cold air again. The temps were 3.5C and it was about midday. These lumps of rock were thought to be brought from the south of Wales (some 380km) 4500 years ago, and the largest weighs 45 tonnes.

Drove on from there to Wilton, had lunch and then continued on the backroads to the M5 and down to Exeter. Although we have lived here, it is still the strangest thing to see the sun setting and the temp drop further, but the clock in the car reads 3.50pm. Fortunately the motorway was well lit and after bypassing Exeter, turned off to Dartmouth and travelled the final 25 miles to the Coast.

The house is really very comfortable. 5 bedrooms, brand new kitchen, backing onto farmland and views down valley to Dartmouth township. All centrally heated (thanks goodness)!

Ol' Blighty

Immigration was tense at Heathrow. As I remember from last time, even the staff struggle with the mother tongue! One guy had failed to fill out an all important arrival card and was given a dressing down and told to go away. At the counter next to ours, a guy was telling a story about his company that imported TVs to Britain and he was there just checking up on things. On the other side a chap was trying to enter England without a return flight booked (big no no over here). The immigration person said "for a start I am not impressed by that" in her Eastern European accent. "Lets get you to stand aside while we think about that".

Through we went and waited for our bags. Out to the main arrivals hall and to the transport information counter. "Can you tell us whether each terminal at Heathrow has a business car park?" She had no clue whether they did or not. This was important as our Dartmouth Exchangers had indicated they parked their motor vehicle in Terminal 3 business car parking but during their last call said they were now flying to Australia from Terminal 4. There are 5 independent and quite separated airport terminals at Heathrow. It is the busiest airport on the planet with a plane landing every 65 to 80 seconds.

Well after taking a transit bus to Terminal 1-3 business parking and not finding the car we went back by bus to Terminal 1, free underground train to Terminal 4 and then another bus to Terminal 4 business parking and found the car. Drove along the A30 from the parking to the Parkway and left into Bath Road and there like a beacon, was Houslow Travelodge. Very simple room with Double bed and double sofa bed, shower, toilet and telly. Sorted love! Time 8.45pm London time. Travelling time from house to hotel-30 hours!

I'm taking a Trip, 10000 miles away

Arrived at the airport at 12.45am after the cabbie almost crashed the car. Checked through immigration with bags weighing 19kg and 20.5kg. Well done there!

First leg was 6500km to Singapore which was to take 7hrs 30 mins (almost 3hrs 45mins was still over Australia). The kids slept for half the leg to Sing. Very smooth landing and lots of yummy food aboard. We were sitting in the second row of Economy and I must say the seats were very very comfortable. Each had a TV screen on the back so managed to fit in a couple of movies between some short naps. 30 minute refueling transit.

Back on board for another 6100km to Dubai in the UAE. Food pretty much the same; kids slept for 6 of the 7 hrs this leg-thanks Phenergen! Flew over Aden (near Straits of Hormuz-Persian Gulf) and landed in Dubai, again very very smoothly. The airport is enormous, like at least 5x Brisbane international. Saw the famous coastal skyline with skyscrapers everywhere. The Burj Tower apparently almost 900 metres high is very distinct indeed. 30 minute refueling transit.

Took off into the Persian Gulf for the final 5850km to London Heathrow. Hugged coast of Saudi Arabia, up over Kuwait and flew whole length of Iraq, passing over Fallujah, Najaf and Baghdad. Crossed border into Turkey, over Ankara and Istanbul, Black Sea, Romania, Hungary, Czech & Slovak Republics, Germany, France, Netherlands and finally across the English Channel. What a trip! Kids were fantastic considering the distance and somewhat cramped conditions.

Zero Days to go

Well we spent last night busy as usual. Had haircuts at home; washed clothes, vacuumed again and mopped the bedrooms and bathroom. Finally made it to bed with eyes hanging out at 11.50pm. Slept until 3.15am and another quick kip until 4.55am. Decided to get up and have breakfast. Put clothes in dryer and put a bolt into pool fence, made up all our beds with fresh linen.

Big day ahead with one of our debit cards deciding to play up. Have to also pick up barrel for Xmas raffle draw from Gaythorne RSL; book taxi for 11.45pm; pick up cakes for Hannah and Ryan to say goodbye and school; sign our tax returns; etc etc. Hannah's Christmas concert tonight at School. Nearly there, thanks goodness!!

28 days

Only 28 days to go now. Have finished painting, finally. Going to clean the 4th bedroom downstairs this weekend and close it until we leave. Irish swappers move into Majorca Isle at Maroochydore in 13 days. Organised the hire car pick up from Gibraltar or actually La Linea in Spain for January 1, 2010. Have obtained International Driving Permit from RACQ.

Tic Tock

Well we are down to 46 days until we fly to Europe. Our Brisbane home is almost ready for our Home Linkers to arrive from Dartmouth in Devon, England. We have spent several months building and then painting our perimeter fences, painting the lounge, dining, kitchen, garage and main bedroom. The kids bedrooms look a shadow of their former selves with multiple toys and games donated or sold and ill-fitting clothes donated. Have arranged for a pool cleaner to maintain our backyard pool and the outside house cleaner is booked for 23 November.