Days 55 & 56 Final two days...then heading home

Home again home again jiggety jog

We pottered through our final couple of days with Susan just enjoying each others' company, doing a few last minute chores, walking Bella and attempting to stuff all our gear into the suitcases we bought over with us. No mean feat!

We take Bella to McGog hill. She loves to
socialise with the other dogs and their owners

There could be treats! Or pats and cuddles from other dog-lovers.

Barb was pleased that the poppies had finally bloomed

We're sure going to miss this dog! (except maybe
the slobber when she's begging for food)

Susan's garden is coming into fine bloom too

Her roses even have a lovely scent

The roses were blooming all over Great Chesterford

Barb liked this flowering bush (Ceanothus, we think). Bella was keen to get
away .... it was humming with multitudes of bees.

We'll miss the lovely village gardens

Finally we're all packed and ready to go. Nothing to do but slump. Siblings bonding.

Susan kindly drives us to Stanstead airport Bus Station where we catch the shuttle bus to Heathrow. It's such a nightmare on the M25 (and apparently has been for the last 30 years) that we always choose to stay overnight at an airport hotel, to minimise the risk of missing our flight due to London traffic chaos (no - chaos implies movement, M25 traffic can exhibit stasis!).

The M25 didn't disappoint. Traffic jams AND rain!
We were only delayed an hour or so.

We're safely installed at the Leonardo hotel and hopefully will
get a good night's rest before the long journey home tomorrow

One thing Barb has left out is the bizarre Community Police Officer we met. These are not policemen but rather auxiliary staff with less training and fewer responsibilities. At the Heathrow Bus Station we asked this one for directions to find a taxi. Having ascetained that we didn't want a mini-cab he tried to persuade us to get a regular bus - with all our luggage - to Hatton Cross, a nearby suburb, which he was sure was the nearest we'd find a cab. What?! No cabs at such an enormous airport? We thanked him profusely and made our escape. We found a taxi rank with no trouble!

We liked the Leonardo hotel as an airport hotel. Comfortable, Quiet and close to the airport

Not only that...there's an on-site restaurant and bistro bar for snacks and drinks

Barb watches Coronation Street for one last time in England (CPAP in situe)

As usual, Heathrow airport is very busy, but we manage to find seats and are soon heading to our boarding gate. Bye Bye England!

Home at last in Maroochydore! Thanks Pam & Pat for picking the weary travellers up from the airport and dropping us home. Our lovely neighbour, Chris who has been looking after the house while we were away has left the fridge stocked with some basic groceries, fresh milk etc. It's great to be home!!