Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Friday - London
-------
We woke up around 9 but after Ben snuggles we weren't up til about 945. By the time we were fed, dressed, packed and moved our stuff to Jenny and Ben's room it was around 11. We went downstairs to get the bus, but we had missed one by about 10 mins and the next bus never came so we were waitin about for half an hour or so until the next one came along.
We eventually got on the bus, then tube and we went to the London Science Centre. We had quite a good few hours in there, went to a bubble show which Ben really enjoyed. We also saw some robots, found out what the Internet sounds like (delightful!) and saw Charles Babbage's homo brain
- pics to follow. Then I realised that while I had remembered both my camera and a large memory card, I had forgotten my charger! Back to the tube, off at Earl's Court (someone had chundered everywar!) to be told that the next train to Olympia had been cancelled (same at the other end-quite annoying really) but we got a camera charger and some nappies so not a wasted trip. We were cutting it a bit fine (what's new, eh?) but we managed to make it back to the hotel to collect our bags (which Jenny and Ben kindly brought down for us) and get the bus back out to T5. As we never got off the bus we ended up not paying the £9 to get back to the terminal. Whoop!
T5 is reaaaally big and we had no clue what to do or where to go. We queued for assistance until an employee told us to use self-check in and the bag drop. That went easily enough except we weren't all sat together - the benefit of checking in online and something that I imagine we'll be doin on the way home! Anyway that went off easily enough and we went to look for some snacks. Coming out of WH Smith we learned we had to get a train to out gate. Ohhh poop! We got to the train and when we got off we saw a sign that said boarding, so we ran down to the gate and realised they weren't boarding our seats yet. Jenny and I nipped off to the toilet and when we got back the boys said that Richard Hammond had just boarded! Anyways we got on the plane and got to the runway, only for the captain to tell us 'the magic box isn't very happy, we need an engineer..' who knows what that means? So 2 and a bit hours later than scheduled we were finally off! The meals were served shortly after this and we watched various movies between us (Cars 2, Captain America and Friends with Benefits). Then when the lights went down it was time for sleeps. Ben did a minimal amount of gurning cos he wanted snuggled but the seatbelt signs were on so he didn't get any but he was shattered so he fell asleep really quickly and once that happened he was asleep almost til we landed!
---------
Saturday - South Africa
---------
I managed to doze off and when I woke there was only 1 1/2 hours of the flight left. We had some breakfast and then shortly after that we landed. There was a bit of queuing at passport control but we got thru it quickly enough and got all our luggage pretty damn quick too. As we were walking out to meet mum we saw Richard Hammond (again). Met up with mum (who cried) then we went to pick up our cars. Due to various problems - our flight being delayed and mum forgetting her passport - there was quite a bit of faffing here. As we were waiting, up danders Richard Hammond, so Hazel went and got an autograph for Jenny. Because we were late they had given our cars away, but we managed to get upgrades and each drove away with a Nissan Tiida. We were supposed to meet at the petrol station beside the airport but apparently mum didn't see it and she drove on. £40 worth of data later Ciaran and I had found directions and were on our way.
We arrived to a full house. Hazel's sons, their partners and children were all there, as well as Drew's mum and dad. We basically put sleeping Benguin into bed and got our shorts on and went out to the pool. Drew told us only 20 mins of sun a day so we sat under the gazebo for most of the time. We got some dinner with only one accident (cigarette in the eye - ouch! - Hazel's son) and then Jenny and I went for a doze in the living room while the kids were watching cartoons. Once the kids had gone we watched the end of Along Came Polly and then part of 40y/o Virgin but we were just so beat we had to go to bed (lots of excuses from Ben though - I'm not tired, sleeping is boring, I can't find Roo, I need in with you, I can't find Roo, I need to speak to Jenny, etc etc).
Loads more tomorrow!
- comments


