Well, my adventure is now over and I am safely returned to my home. The drive from the London hotel to Heathrow was interesting, for want of a better word. The driver was speeding and texting at the same time, always a lethal combination. We arrived at Heathrow in record time.
The flight was delayed 45 minutes due to the backlog of flights, so we sat in the plane and waited. It was ok, as I had a great book to read and the seat was comfy.
We eventually took off and the flight to Dubai was a very bumpy one, the worst I've experienced. I felt quite ill so had the spew bag ready for deployment, but fortunately didn't have to use it. Managed to close my eyes and convince myself I was on the train.
As the flight was late leaving, we were obviously late arriving and then had to stay in a holding pattern as Dubai also had a backlog of flights trying to either land or take off. So another 30 minutes added on to the delay.
On landing, the Emirates staff organised a person to be waiting at customs, so we could whizz through and then gallop towards the gate to connect to the waiting flight. I was hoping to go to the loo, grab a drink and exchange some currency, but no chance of that. There were around 10 passengers trying to connect to the same flight and along the way most of us got separated as the Emirates staff member was powering along and wasn't waiting.
Luckily, we all made it eventually and the flight was on time. The flight from Dubai was a lot smoother, thank goodness, and of course, those wonderful seats that recline all the way to make a bed were SO good. Once again, very happy that I spent the extra money to fly business class and have now racked up some Skywards points to put towards future (if ever there will be) flights.
I managed to grab a few naps during the flight and could feel my body saying, "Hang on, it's not time to sleep" - very strange to fly from one night straight into another one!
Very happy to land in Adelaide, to pick up the duty free items I purchased on the way out of Adelaide, and make my way through customs with no trouble (no sniffer dogs, Joan...)
The Emirates valet driver was waiting and it turns out he lives in McLaren Flat so he was happy to be heading home too.
HOME!! Woohoo. Apart from some weeds (ok, a lot of them) and the musty smell in the house after being locked up for those few weeks, it was lovely, and quiet. Of course, not sleepy so unpacked, organised washing, switched the fridge on, showered, read until I felt tired and then slept...for two hours. Up at 4.30am.
Highlight of the day - picking up Maisy and Murphy from the RSPCA. They looked like Ewoks from Star Wars!!! Need to book them in for a much needed hair cut. They were a bit stand-offish at first, but since then, they have followed me everywhere and resumed their normal personalities. I gave them a bath as they were very smelly, as they do after being in the kennels.
So, to sum up the highlights and low lights of the trip:
I really enjoyed the friendliness, kindness and sense of humour of the people I met in the Cotswolds, especially the B and B owners in Heytesbury (The Resting Post), Bourton-on-the-Water (Webby's), Tetbury (Number 65), Cirencester (The Old Bungalow) and in Devizes (Rosemundy Cottage) The cyclists who went out of their way to ride with me to show me short cuts or to get me back on the right path - all great guys.
I loved the architecture and history of many of the places - the churches in particular were magical, listening to the pipe organ, or the bells ringing, simply just sitting and reflecting. Westminster Abbey - my fave place due to its history and seeing the tombs of so many kings, queens and heads of state. Awesome.
Best estate or manor - Longleat Manor. Geez, talk about extravagence and excess! But still a magnificent building. Loved it. Also the worst cycling day - 93km in hot, gusty weather and feeling like I was never going to get to the final destination.
Just cycling. Getting lost and then finding the right way again...and getting lost again.....but all part of the experience. Probably saw more of the Cotswolds than most people :)
Low points: the Iron Donkey bike - crap. There are only so many times you can happily put a chain back on a bike.
The hotels in London - they charge huge amounts of money and what do you get? An adequate room but the service is sullen (Regency Hotel - prime example of sullen and disinterested staff, only the guy carrying the bags had a smile and a laugh)
The Doc Martin lookalike in Tetbury - who asked me why I was cycling around the country when they have a perfectly adequate train and bus network. :) Kind of defeats the point of a cycling holiday, though, hey Doc?
Patting every little and not so little dog I came across, and met some lovely people in the process. Needed to have some pet therapy daily.
Lastly, those loud Spanish tourists who yell at each other, take up all of the pavement and don't move - shut up and move! :)
Would I go again? Yes. But this time I would take lots of hay fever medication and a GPS :)
Thanks for reading and coming along for the ride.
M x
