London

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Hi All, Well we have arrived in London without any incidents. We had a very quiet Saturday morning and were invited over to Jennie and David's next door for a very nice lunch. They also picked us up later in the afternoon and took us out to the Airport. No problems booking the bags through they didn't even ask if we had packed them our selves. We were meet in Auckland by Lynne Barry Claire Brent Antonia and Kirsten and whisked off to a local pub place just down the road. As we arrived Juliet Fraser and Emma and Lucy were also arriving so we had a good catch up. Both girls are growing up. We were then taken back to the airport and Brent gave us a quick course in how to use our E Passports. It worked in Auckland BUT not at Heathrow. But on the other side of the barriers we were both had a detailed going over by a man and lady with a wand thing even the nether regions were not spared. It also included taking a swap off the zips in our bags to make sure there was no explosive materials being carried. The full plane was off more or less on time. Getting a meal at 1.30am was not really what we were after. Gaining 4 hours to HK did mean that we also got a breakfast. Brent you have a future at Air NZ with your scrambled eggs! The only incident of the night, we both took a sleeping pill, was waking up and finding the guy in the next seat was returning. He left without disturbing either of us and was getting back to his seat standing on the armrests. It was a bit like waking up with Spider man standing over you, We only had 2 hours or less in HK time for a coffee- no they wouldn't take NZ dollars and a stretch of the legs. I was very interested in the route to London. More or less straight across China and then up through Russia- no doubt to avoid the Middle East. The lady next door with the window seat had the window cover down the whole way so we didn't see a thing if there was anything to see. Had to circle Heathrow for about 20 minutes. There was a huge crowd at immigration. We tried with the E Passport- no luck. Then joined the back of the queue. Then there was a long walk to the baggage claim area. No one looking at the bags and our driver was waiting for us when we came through. He gave us lots of information about the areas we can into London through and got us to The Luna and Simone Hotel. WE have room 13 up 68 stairs. Not good for Mum so will see thsi morninh what the chances of a shift are. As my colleague Ewen said the other day the rooms are not big. But we have worked out a system when Joan breaths out I breath in. That should work. Went for as bit of a walk later in the afternoon there are plenty of restaurants/pubs around the area se we shouldn't starve. We were in bed early and woke early. It doesn't get dark till late and it is light at around 4am. So we survived the long flight with at worse a numb bum. We rated the food on Air NZ at 4 out of 10 for me and 5 out of ten by Mum. But they do have nice bread rolls and biscuits and cheese. So that is the story of our first day away. Luv and Regards The Travellers