Just lucky I suppose. For some reason I had the idea that I was travelling from Sumburg to London via Edinburgh. So, it was very fortunate that I checked the ticket and found out that it was via Aberdeen, which was wonderful as it is so much smaller and easier to manage. Not so wonderful was the fact that the flight left an hour earlier at 8am. It meant we were packed and out the door by 6:30. We had organised with Bolt’s that Sue would have the car and drop me off at the airport early and she would drop the car at the ferry. What a brilliant plan…especially since it worked!!! Nothing quite like a plan that works.

We said our goodbyes and Sue played in the car for a minute or two familiarising herself with the European layout. It might be funny for the passenger when the driver starts the windscreen wipers instead of the indicators but not so amusing for the driver behind. 

I was off. The plane was a tiny bit bigger than the one we flew over on -two by two and probably a fifty-seater. The connection at Aberdeen worked well and when we were delayed because one of the doors didn’t close properly, I engaged in conversation with Gary. He was from Aberdeen, a trainer in hydraulics, for an offshore oil company. He was on his way to the Chinese Embassy in London to pick up a working visa. He was hoping everything would go well and he would be on the six o’clock return flight. He had a South African wife and two little girls. We discussed travel, family, politics, bureaucracies, and all sorts of random things, as though we had known each other forever. All of a sudden, we were landing at LHR. We made our way to the exit tunnel, and he turned and gave me a big hug goodbye. Such a wonderful encounter. 

Although there are several ways to get into central London from LHR my best option was the National Express bus service to London Victoria. I had done my research and followed the signs outside to the bus stops but forgot that I needed a ticket inside the terminal. Back to the terminal, find the ticket machines, crack the code, buy the ticket and back to the bus stop. Everything in a city seems to take twice as long as you calculate and eventually, I was on the bus and would probably arrive at around 16:30 then I had to make my way to the flat. I was not concerned. There was plenty of light. 

I like the little flat. John and I had two weeks there as part of a home exchange and I knew the area and felt very safe and secure. Once I had dumped the luggage, I was off to Sainsbury’s to buy a few essentials, bread, coffee, wine etc. Although I tried to book a return bus journey online it was impossible. I decided to walk back to the Coach Station, find a human and buy the ticket. It worked. I was set. Welcome to London.

My second cousin- her grandfather and my grandfather were brothers- had agreed to meet the following day for lunch. I sent a message to John to find a good place to eat in the local area and messaged, Jacquie. We meet up at noon at the Stone and Grill at noon, the first in the restaurant and probably the first to sit down to lunch in London. We joked about how early we were, but we were both comfortable and fell into relaxed conversation about family, friends and travel. Although we had only met once before it was very congenial. After lunch we headed for my little bolt hole for a cup of tea and continued conversation. Later, when she left, I realised we had been so engrossed I failed to get a photo. I did ask her and she sent a couple a few days later. She was so easy to chat with, so genuine and I really hope we keep in touch. I am sure I will return to London.