To Travel…’to go from one place to another, typically over a distance of some length’. Well BNE to LHR qualifies. Now the question is how this is done. There are times when I might envy the sedate pace once experienced by the ‘leisure class’. Oh to have one’s luggage carried for you: to walk aboard and cruise languidly through the days and nights to reach one’s destination. Actually, no, I don’t really. The pace of life has increased which means plebs like me can squeeze so much more into my meagre existence. So…it’s time to suck it up sweetheart: line up with the hoi polloi: depart at one am: fold yourself carefully into the seat designed for a small child: accept a tasteless meal at 3am: struggle with sleep: acquiesce. It’s just hard work flying from Brisbane to London regardless of how one travels….well ….I haven’t tried First Class…yet!!!

What are the chances? I know that every Australian has this amazing story of how they meet up with a best friend, a neighbour, an old classmate or a fantastic (previously despised) housemate they haven’t seen for a thousand years, in the most amazing locations on the other side of the planet. For some reason, this just doesn’t happen to us until….we caught up with Robyn!!! OK, it was at the Brisbane airport and we happen to be on the same flight but we didn’t know…sort of…that has to give us some kudos!!!! She was on her way to celebrate a momentous occasion with her son and new daughter-in-law and we, well we were just on our way to Europe. Despite what the photo indicates, Robyn was travelling a step up and we could only take a photo and dream. Actually we caught up again in Hong Kong and LRH which is pretty amazing considering the number of people on the flight. I’m fighting for kudos here!

So we arrive and the adrenaline kicks in and jet lag sits dormant, waiting for the most inopportune moment to demean me. The smooth transition from aircraft to tube impresses us both. I top up the Oyster Cards which in itself was a mission. The yellow disc is used to check the balance – 15p and -15p. Um…won’t get us far!!! I choose a top-up of 30 pounds and tap my credit card on the yellow disc again…and again …and again..anger and frustration welling up. Then I notice the credit card insertion point hidden in plain sight. I surreptitiously look to see if anyone has noticed my idiocy. OK …first indicator adrenaline is failing.

Phillip and his mate clamber on at Terminal 2 full of teenage bluff and bravado, throw their feet on the opposite seat and talk loudly to each other of some soccer match or whatever. I scowl at the feet. Of course they ignore me. Then I engage. ‘Can you tell me the time, please? My watch is wrong.’ His turn to scowl. Of course he doesn’t have a watch. ‘Your phone?’ I suggest.

‘Oh yeah. Your watch not working?’ Shoes are off the seat.

‘It’s still on Hong Kong time.’

‘You from Hong Kong? My friend’s from Hong Kong. Always wanted to go there. Beautiful.’ Seriously? My turn to restrain.

The conversation is convivial. He happily poses with Milo, our ‘companion’. Suddenly the train stops. He smiles, makes his goodbyes and melts into my past experience.

Just as suddenly, Mia arrives with Ted and it’s instant romance.

So..it’s true!! London is always a good idea.