London 22nd to 24 th June

Flying Easyjet to London was easy but we were delayed on the tarmac at Malaga for sometime due to a computer failure. The continual sawing like noise coming from the hydraulics sounded like they were cutting off the wheels! This was reminiscent of Andy, Karen and Peter's experience coming to Spain with Easyjet. A similar experience in which the pilot kept the passengers  well informed the whole time.  All was rectified without much delay in the end and we arrived close to the scheduled time. I had not been given an immigration card and so needed to compete one on the spot. With the Shengen visa issue on my mind I was greatly relieved to get a six month visa into the UK without any problem.

Peter Shackleton was waiting for me but our country pub lunch plan was abandoned due to the amount of traffic on the freeway and we ate at the airport instead after finding the terminal with restaurants.(Gatwick has a !North and South terminal joined by a shuttle train)

Home to Uxbridge where Peter lives. It is about an hour west of London City but well connected by bue and tube. Uxbridge was the last staging post to change horses for travellers coming into London in historic times(pre car!).  Peter and I go shopping for a few items on Monday and I get to see his 'patch' and meet some of his clients and colleagues. He has been missed by them all.

My impressions of England from the air and London is how green it is. The English devotion to trees and gardens maintains a leafy environment. It is a pleasant change although I am experiencing a sense of loss of familiarity too. I have adjusted to Spain so well it seemed odd to be inside at 8:00 pm instead of wandering the streets with everyone looking for just the right tapas and wine! 

Tuesday we went to the TATE Gallery on Southbank and braved the crowds surging around London and in the gallery. I saw some really impressive art and some that made me just go huh?! 

Picasso's Weeping Woman

The space is amazing at the gallery and it accommodated a huge number of visitors easily. They are much more casual than our galleries- people had small suitcases in tow and someone had a scooter!

The south bank is a lovely promenade with lots of lively activities and restaurants and green lawns to loll about on. After we had refuelled with coffee and snack we walked across the millennium bridge which apparently had to be closed soon after opening because it swayed too much. Now all fixed we crossed to St Paul's cathedral and caught the tube home. It was peak time so we were squashed in like a ham and cheese jaffle. The older tube trains don't have airconditioning so it was pretty warm. The weather is fantastic at the moment. Wimbledon is on and they must be thrilled.

I have an Oyster card for the bus and trains which is like our myki but much better because it works seamlessly and quickly! Prices are a shock after Spain but I am not having to spend too much so I am okay. Last night we settled down for a DVD after dinner but both of us were too tired. I am missing my siestas.

I was trying to get an extension to my Shengon visa so I could travel in Italy with Jan. My 90 days are running out and my passport has clearly stamped entry and exit dates. It is impossible to extend so we have changed our plans and will go to Croatia instead. I can visit there without any issue because although they are part of the EU, they are not signatories to the Shengen convention and Australians don't need a visa. I don't want to risk breaching visa and creating complications for later travel. Being a free spirit is rather more difficult than you think. I am learning a lot about travelling on this trip. Poor Jan is very disappointed about Italy and she has worked so hard to organise the dream trip while I have been having my dream trip already. 

I am greatly relieved about our change of plans and we will now do three weeks in Croatia and a few of my last allowable days(5) in Italy before I fly to Madrid and onto Australia. I will be more settled in Herefordshire so will have some time to do the research and plans along with Jan this time.

Victoria and Albert entrance chandelier.

Victoria and Albert Garden. My arms aren't long enough for good selfies!

Wednesday we start slow and then visit the Victoria and Albert Museum to see so e of the fashion collection and other areas of interest. The Middle Eastern collection was very interesting and I learned a lot-mostly how ignorant I am about this part of the world. After visiting Spain and seeing the influences of the Islamic period I have a keener appreciation of its art and craft.

Back to Uxbridge and Peter has invited me to visit his Mencap Wednesday night club. This is a social club for the intellectually disabled that Peter works with and raises money through his walking and other projects. He does a bus run to pick up several participants to take them and we are running late. They are all curious about me but more interested in their friends. I get to see quite a bit more of Uxbridge during the pick up and drop of ride. It is a pretty, leafy area with a fair bit of open space not unlike a Warrandyte without gumtrees in that it does seem village like.

Home by eleven and I am tired. The late night Skype sessions are catching up on me.