Time to Go Home!

All good things must come to an end, and what a better way to do it than with Singapore Airlines. Love, love, loved the Airbus-A330-three-hundred-series-non-stop-service-from-Changi-International-to-Brisbane.  This grumpy old bastard may tend to be a bit fussy with certain (OK...many)  things; air travel might just be one of them.  From the time we stepped on board every flight we were made to feel welcome by an immaculate crew.  The timing of every aspect of their service was consistent, so you knew what and when to expect the magic, with the delivery of the service being flawless.  I did enjoy the roast beef lunch that was served and a good nap too.  The view in between movies was OK too!

A  great way to wrap up an incredible vacation.

Next one: already booked.

Bert and Ernie Go To Singapore...

A picture says a thousand words...

Even tthe artwork was crooked....  but at least we had somewhere to put our suitcases for the night.

On our way to the airport we were given some great facts by the cab driver.  One day we will go back.

The best parts - the Louisiana style chicken dinner and the create your own Sumo Salad dinner the next night (such foodies that we are)...feeling very content with having a Thai Beef Salad with croutons rather than nuts. Winning!  The shopping for Daggie was lots of fun, not sure he will like one of the presents, but it will certainly be a Kodak moment.

The cab driver to the airport was full of interesting facts about his city, a nice last impression. Singapore Airport was a highlight, as it would be for any plane-nut.  

Got a little bit giddy seeing the new Airbus A350

and many other nice things...

Hmmmmm

So we thought that we had the jetlag monster at bay...until the trance nightclub kicked off in the early hours of the morning....8 floors below and clear as day (not a Singapore day, the haze is crap).

After moving rooms at 3am, we are completely  screwed. Still waiting for the hotel to sort out our room, so we've given up and settled for the twin Ernie and Bert room with two single beds.

So, beyond that we tried to do a spot of shopping but our bodies were saying a big NO! Got a bit done (some fun stuff for Daggie)  and headed back for a nap.

We haven't seen any of Singapore and looking forward to sleeping in our own bed. Not sure what sort of sleep, if any, we will get tonight. Singapore has been a waste of time and money. In hindsight it would have been better to spend the extra time in Europe and fly straight through. The thrills of travel, we'll know better for next time.

Apart from that it has been an incredible adventure.

Hi Singapore, we haven't met before...

Well only for a few hours when we just popped through.

It seems like a long time ago that we were hauling 45kg of luggage up Te street to Earls Court tube station.

The first flight to FRA was delayed a little bit, but we had a substantial connection time. Well needed after spilling a cup of tea in the pants and having to have my nuts sitting in a lovely brew of English Breakfast. No help from the crew, but we have moved on from that after a quick wash of sorts in a Frankfurt Airport bathroom

The stopover was relaxing and then we got onboard and headed for Singapore.

Someone patiently waiting..

Big Bird..

Funnily enough Birry Erriot was on one of the movie channels, so we sat there and enjoyed watching most of the same cast spin their magic. Yep, and that post "the letter" number almost got me again, so I just concentrated on eating my supper for that 4 minutes.

Ryan didn't sleep the best from what I see, however my concoction worked a treat....

I went to bed here -

And woke up, here, 5h14m later :

Talking of Big Birds, while Ryan was attempting take#2 of a sleep, I watched a really touching doco on the big feathery, loveable bird himself. A really good story indeed and a good way to pass the time until breakfast (at 3pm).

We are now at the hotel, feeling OK. Not faaaaabulous, but doing better than we thought...so far. This may help!

Meanwhile, Clyde is guarding the room... They told us double rooms are all full (they don't really like our kind here)... They also don't like tired grumpy old buggers like me in reception. Problem magically sorted and we have the room we had paid for.

Anyway, time to hit the pool in 'hazy' Singapore.

Farewell London...

Just signing off from the Queen's Land, and time to head toward Queensland.  Yesterday we caught up with Louise, a friend of ours (originally working with Ryan when he lived here - she's as mad as a cut snake), Elliot my pal from school also joined us for a few cocktails too.  We just planted our butts at the Brixton Markets and ate gorgeous nibbly bits all day, with some fancy drinks along the way.  They were 'healthy' drinks... with melon or mint... there may have been some giggle juice in them cups too.

We then had Jamaican for dinner.  Ryan and I stuck with the spicy chicken (probably not a good choice when facing a long haul flight). Only now just getting the feeling back in my lips now.... the Goat on the menu was not that appealing.

Great to reconnect with these two after many years.  Looking forward to seeing them downunder after many persuasive travel conversations.

Clyde is all packed, just taking it easy at the apartment before heading to Heathrow, next stop Frankfurt for 4 hours then on to Changi. Looking forward to Heathrow, as I've never departed from LHR so a little royal walkabout is on the cards....and hopefully the ever so efficient Lufthansa will through check our bags as we are on two different tickets to Singapore. We have a vintage aircraft for our non-stop-Boeing-737-FOUR-HUNDRED-series-service to Frankfurt.  Then the big bird B777-300ER on to Changi.  Not a fan of the 777 to be honest (Singapore Airlines are fabulous, just dont find this piece of metal to be the most comfortable), but that is what Melatonin, Valium (don't worry Mum, they're only used to get something that resembles sleep on an aeroplane) and noise cancelling headphones are for!

The fridge magnet collection is all packed too, again magnetic north appears to be pointing to Kensington right now.

Best to sign off, need one final shower before the trek south.  Looking forward to a little bit of Singapore shopping....and possibly the hop-on-hop-off-hop-on-hop-off bus trip to quickly see the sights.  We have been trying to work out how to manage the sleep patterns on the flight, still a bit confused but may try to realign with BNE time as soon as possible.  With that being said it must then be time for a vodka (kidding, we are sensible flyers thank you very much)

See you soon....ish Singapore!

Jet lag management report to follow at some point...hopefully we will be lucky again, doubt it as we really should be going to bed again now!

 

A Weekend in London...

It's been busy busy. Making the most of our Oyster Cards... with a few late nights since we missed all of that last time we were here. Hitting the a shows was a nice change of pace too.

Some interesting place names too...this must been a crap neighbourhood.

So, Friday night we headed to the Victoria Palace Theatre to see Birree Erriot (aka Billy Elliot). After seeing the movie a couple of times we were prepared for the musical. Sort of.  Not sure what happened but the individual performances and that of the ensemble (sorry just wanted to get all thespian and use words proper)... right yeah - it was incredible.  "The Letter' was a piece about Billy's late mother... a real tear jerker.  I wasn't the only one being a sook in the theatre, thank goodness.  Then they bloody reprised the song later on....think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts. (Didnt really want to walk through the vestibule afterwards with puffy eyes.)  But in true Elton John (the music creator) ensured everyone left feeling uplifted, Then there was the dancing bit...wow!  

After the musical we headed out for a drink...only one, which ended up as 5...why, because they water down the vodka.  Even ordering a triple didn't make a dent.  So we headed home and had a good sleep.  I got the feeling that homosexuals hang out here.  Not quite sure.

Yesterday we caught up with an old school pal, Elliot.   It was great to see him and to catch up on old times and what else has happened in the 29 years since we last saw each other. The lunch at a Jamie Oliver restaurant was very nice indeed.

Clyde enjoyed meeting him too, we managed to get a picture - just need to download it from the camera...later on.

After a quick shop for Dagwood (yep, new clothes and collars coming his way), we managed to get a quick rest before enjoying an evening with Boy George and Culture Club  Nice to see the band actually finally get along.  The Hammersmith Apollo is a stunning theatre indeed.  It has been renovated well.

They  haven't changed a bit, maybe just a little less makeup these days - but some fancy hats. The crowd were hardcore fans; I sat next to one... I think her tattoo gives it away.  

By the sounds of it their new album will be great. Looking forward to seeing them again when they finally manage to make it downunder.

We decided to have a few drinks at home afterwards....the Tesco was closed, so we ordered our grog through the internet...and continued enjoying CC tunes until the weeee lil hours.

About to head out again now to see Louise, a crazy friend of Ryan's.  You can't have a dull day around her.  Hopefully we will get to see Elliot for a pint later on, before commencing Operation Getting You Shit In A Bag, tomorrow we are bound for Singapore, via Frankfurt.

Happy Father's Day too.  We have been thinking about you both (Tim and Lyle) and have suitable european gifts for you when we return.

Exploring London... the "Must Get The Most Out Of Our Oyster Cards" Tour

Just a quick update before we head to the theatre.

Today we went to cross a road....  why did the chicken cross the road... well it was actually a Beatle, and it was Abbey Road.

Watching the tourists do their thang was rather amusing, for the first 15 minutes.  Absulutely no idea about getting in the way of traffic.  So, Clyde and I joined in on the action, whilst humming Kylie tunes (yep she recorded an album at this hallowed studio too).

Next stop on the "We must get the most out of our oyster card" adventure was Hamstead Heath, a rather large green area which was very relaxing and refreshing to walk around.  

Lots of folks with their dogs (insert we miss our baby moan here).  On our way we hit a local pub for lunch (accompanied by soft drink thank you).

It was nice to get a few photos happening again...

The fresh air must have done something to Ryan.... can't quite explain it as jetlag is no longer an excuse! Here is Ryan doing his squirrel thing...

 

Not sure what this was exactly;

And  then the frolicking in the long grass shot.

Slightly distracted for a moment as this is on the flight path for LHR.  A British Airways B747-400, with winglets don't you know.

After getting a little lost we managed to find a tube station for the next leg - Harrods in Knightsbridge.

Waiting for a train I managed a tricky train picture - yes there is a train streaking past.

In Harrods I collected the matching teacup commemorating HRH Princess Charlotte. Happy with that souvenir. Rather pricey but worth it.

When there, we saw a nice little light that will look good in our bathroon.  Not sure it will fit in the overhead locker on the flight home.  God knows what the price tag was, but the vase that was next to it was £14,000.

Well, must dash, time to get ready for Billy Elliott.

Night, Night London...

We checked into our Kensington Hotel OK.  We have an apartment for the next 4 days so that we can cook a little bit, do some washing and take it easy.  Note to self - don't do the first two simultaneously....when the washer/dry is in full swing, all...AND I MEAN ALL... of the cupboard self open.  It was like some bloody obstacle course when making dinner last night.  We had a few holy phark moments, but managed to eat a nice curry, in stages, with no burns.  Not sure how the dishwasher went - too scared to open that this morning.  The shower is good, if you are vertically challenged.

To make the most of what we didn't see last time because we were sick, we headed out after dinner with the camera and tripod in tow to get some snaps around the traps.  Also, we wanted to make the most of spending £75 on 2x weeky tube tickets. I do love the tube, the smell (the carbon, train smell...not the BO bit), the vintage of the stations, the people watching and it is a good way to get around once you get the hang of it!

I've really enjoyed getting the photgraphic eye happening again, a very good way to keep your mind in the present when you are looking through the lense.  Over 400 photos taken since being away, not all will be finalists for our photo wall.

Here is yet another silly selfie...photo bombed by Ben. Bloody 'ell.

And some of the proper ones...

Piccadilly Circus was crazy busy - but with a 30 second exposure... the tourists magically disappear, unless standing perfectly still.  Shame it is not like that in reality.

Again, dozens of people getting in the way, we I held the camera open a bit longer.  Big Ben sounded magically majestic when he hit 10pm.  Goosebump stuff.

There is this wheel thing in town... not sure where the rest of the wheelbarrow went, but it must be huge.

This is the view toward The Mall and Elizabeth Tower... after being naughty and climbing up the base of Nelson's Column to get some good shots, while Ryan patiently froze nearby.  

This is what the Police look like when they are driving past.

Well, time to sign off for this morning.  Off to Abbey Road, Clyde wants to cross the road or something, then popping into Knightsbridge to increase my regal teacup collection.  And tonight, Billy Elliott.  Speaking of Elliot's (different spelling) we are looking forward to catch up with a friend from primary school... it's been almost 30 years.

Best to head off - there seems to be some blue stuff in the sky that we need to look at.

Good afternoon Old Blighty.

After big queues at TXL, an aircraft swap (to a Wet Leased competitor ... Germanwings became AirBerlin) we have made it safely to London. Clyde is out and about while we have a cuppa and put our footsies up for a little bit. 

Yet again we are hooked on the Jeremy Kyle Show (UK's version of Jerry Springer...kind of). Good way to take the weight off and feel faaaaabulous about one's self.

Our apartment in Kensington is very nice, it'll be good to cook a meal or two.

Oh, this isn't our apartment... Just the view! The Pacific Peso doesn't extend that far right now :)

(Updated) Auf Wiedersehen Berlin, bis wir uns wiedersehen.

Good bye Berlin, until we meet again.

It has been a spectacular part of our trip. Loved every second of being here, although the other tourists can be a bit much (as too can their eating habits). We are already planning /scheming our next visit in a few years.

After a big day shopping yesterday our cases are packed (very tightly, relying heavily on my Flight Attendant skills to be honest). 

We did the "usual" and visited a Hard Rock Cafe while away. Yep, pretty standard and similar to the last visit in Honolulu, this time last year. The free poured vodka make things more interesting!

A couple of last pictures to share before one final bit of shopping (we have just found a pet shop for Daggie presents).

This church has seen better days, my assumption is that the renovation may have commenced late one night in the early 1940's.

We looked at lots of interesting things when out shopping... And no, there are no fancy German outfits heading home.

Although the blue number did bring Ryan's eyes out, but cut circulation off to vital boy-organs. And brown has never been my colour.

On the way home we saw this funky building, it's a fancy car park!

Well, best get to the Dagwood Shop, we miss our little terror. Hopefully he is not causing Grandma or Pop too many issues.

Next Stop - London. (Hopefully Germanwings makes it there ok... If not, the Wills are sorted).

Update - "due to operational reasons today's flight will be operated by AirBerlin." Ok then, Wills packed back into the suitcase. 

It was a very good non-stop-Boeing-737-eight-hundred-series-jet-service-to-London-Heathrow-LHR.