Changi

Arrived in Singapore

Friday1107130600 local

6 hour flight  into Changi with an opportunity to do a free 2 hour tour of Singapor by bus. Alas and alack! The tour bus operators obviously want some slack in their timetabling; for the 9AM -11AM tou;r one must have a departure time of 1300hs or later. Unfortunately yours (pl) truly have tickets that indicate a 1245 departure so depart from the booth you poor unfortunate traveller!
All is not lost though. We'll go upstairs and drool over the fabulous colours of the orchid gardens of which there are several, for the benefit of the weary (or maybe not-so-weary) travellers through this place-only 51million last year.
We walked through the main concourse here, there's enough glass to put the Melbourne Museum to shame. And it almost sparkles it's that clean. Not a piece of rubbish anywhere, I guess the incentives in the city cultivate that approach, they will hit you for $200 (or similar wad) fine for dropping a cigarette butt, so it becomes a mindset fairly quickly .
Pauline has decided to leave me here on a comfortable seat whilst she inspects the beautifully presented jools and smellies (read perfumes) and my hip pochet nerve is developing a distinct twitch, bordering on pain. I hope it doesn't persist when she comes back.
I was amazed with a couple of the people manning (They haven't managed to wreck that into "personning" yet) the information booth, the detailed knowledge of this place was bordering on formidable.

 Friday 1107131945

Arrived in London with some sleep under our belts and much anticipation. One off the Buckett List!. Our information from friends and acquaintances was to expect a LEEEEEEENGTHY overstay in Heathrow, with horrendous queues and people up to your armpits (for those not vertically challenged), and straight through???
Well, we found out later what happened; an aeroplane decided to self-immolate on the tarmac near the loading bays and all aircraft were diverted to Gatwick et al. Our 'plane was the first after the incident so any backlog had been cleared. Out to the taxi rink and into a spotless black London cab with helpful driver; took us straight to our new abode for the night, about 12kM from Heathrow. What an interesting area, with several non-black people living there. Must say it didn't take much to hear our bed calling for attention,, and down on one ear (each)