David and Jo's Adventures

This is David’s idea that we do a detailed Blog! Don’t know how long this will last!

Well here we go! Can’t believe we’re finally setting off on our long awaited trip. Tracy Roger & Jess drove us to the airport and dropped us outside the door (hate dragging the goodbyes out and they had gone on for a few weeks!). Jo had a few MORE tears which is understandable. I had tears when we got into the airport bar and paid $24 for two pints!!! We are going to try and budget $50 per day when we start the trip properly and just blew it in the bar in an hour!!

Great flight with Qatar Airlines – would definitely recommend them. Jo gave me this theory, to avoid Jet lag, don’t eat anything on the plane and when you get to your destination eat whatever meal is at that time. This theory really worked well until we sat down read the menu, looked at each other and said “Let’s get Jet Lagged”!!!

 Just over an 11 hour flight to Doha. Couldn’t believe it when we had to get off the plane via the steps onto a transfer bus expecting to get taken a long way to the terminal, but instead the bus did a U-Turn and parked 20 metres from where we got on!!!! (Very OHS safe Jess). Transferred straight onto another bus which this time did take us a long way to our next aircraft – so far we actually thought they were driving us to London!

Arrived in London on time and were met by our driver who Mike had kindly arranged for us. We were expecting the grey skies but it wasn’t as cold as we thought it would be. Couldn’t believe the speed the cars were driving on the M25 (Main road that circles London, the biggest car park in the world they call it!) We had arrived at the right time of day so were ok. The speed limit is 70MPH which is 112KPH and they want to put it up to 80MPH (130KPH)!

It was a really weird feeling seeing everything again after 25 years. Got to Harpenden in 40 mins – on the way Mike had rung to say him and Liz were at the Luton & Dunstable with their middle daughter Emma as she had a kidney infection and that we should make ourselves at home and they would see us later. Key was under the mat under the ice! Mike & Liz have a lovely old house in Harpenden (which the driver told us is in the top 5 most expensive areas in England)!

Had a cup of tea and decided to walk the short distance into town and check out the Co-Op supermarket to compare prices and to stretch our legs. As we walked into town we arrived in “Middle Earth!” The cottages along the street are so small they must be for Hobbits as humans couldn’t possibly get into them!

Did the usual tourist thing when you go abroad and got the calculator out to convert the pound prices to dollars. Are things cheaper/dearer? here, jury is still out. Enjoyed looking in all the quaint shop windows especially the traditional butchers. The Hardware store looked like something out of “Open all Hours” We went in and the Two Ronnies were serving so we tried to buy 4 candles but they kept giving us fork handles! So didn’t even bother asking for pumps! Only the Poms will get that.

Ended up in The Carpenter Arms pub on the way back for a couple of pints (each) of Abbot Ale - £7.50 for two. Couldn’t believe there were 3 small dogs in there. Got chatting to the locals, Landlord & Landlady (as you do) they said a lot of these old pubs are getting turned into “Gastro Pubs” and losing their character. I’ve decided to investigate this further by going into as many pubs as possible!

Got back to Mike & Liz’s and got out our 2 big Aussie flags , draped one over the front door ready for Mike & Liz’s  arrival and put the other on their bed. Mike came back from the hospital (Emma will be in overnight) and we had dinner. We could not stay awake any longer so missed Liz coming home and still didn’t see her in the morning before she left for work!

Slow to get up this morning – needed another trip to town for some bits. Skyped Mum & Jess before Mike picked up Emma from the hospital then walked into town to meet us. We couldn’t believe it gets dark at 4pm! And not light until 8am in the morning! First time we’ve met Emma and she is lovely. Liz came home from work so finally got to catch up.