Barcelo Basingstoke Country Hotel

... a doze, and we’re soon ready for the luggage drop. Security is the usual inefficient hassle (no problem with the checks, but why can’t they sharpen the process?) and then through to the shoppers paradise. Vanda looks for perfume, but can’t find any that suits (it suits my wallet though). More reading, a sandwich and before we know it we’re on the train to Gate area B. Boarding takes for ever, and for some reason we eventually take of an hour ...

<br><br><br>"Whatever can go wrong at the most inopportune moment, will" Sod's law<br><br>All I had to do today was to get the laptop ready for travel: clear out old files to make space for photos, transfer my planning files with all the hotel, travel and other necessary detail; and check in.<br><br>First the laptop email chose ...

"We're leavinghome" Beatles<br><br>Leaving thehouse for three months over winter can be a bit of a worry, and besides, thehouse insurers don&#8217;t like it.<br><br>Fortuitously,Barbara and Steve will be house sitting. Good friend Barbara and new partnerSteve have both recently left failed marriages and are looking to start a newlife together. So the arrangement suitsthem, suits us, and suit our insurers. <br><br>But even so,much has to be done to get the house ...

... too bad, smallish suitcase, rucksack with laptop and a handbag), I&#8217;ve been reassured that if I can cope with my luggage on the tube then the USA should hold no fears for me!<br><br>Got all set up at the hotel and then headed off into London Town for last night food and drink with Ellie Dodson. Our search for English food ended up with burgers, chips and onion rings and later cider for the girls and Tia Maria for me. Was a good last night in the UK, lots of giggles.

On Monday 21st September i'm going to America to California, Arizona and Nevada with my parents for 2 weeks. It was supposed to be for their anniversary but they invited me and so I literally got booked onto the trip just yesterday. I don't even know exactly where we are going yet other than Los Angeles, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. I'll post the itinerary when I know it.

... to cook me endless english feasts where i was so full i couldnt even look at the 4th or 5th course (i lost count). It was delicious though. They also took me out for my first every motorcycle ride on a Kawasaki Ninja where we topped a speed of 180km/hr...just dont tell mum :P. <br><br>Many more adventures, and photos to come, so will keep all posted on the goss!!<br><br>Love you all and leave you! xoxox<br><br>Mel

Take 4... Well, after several false starts, the trip is finally back on the agenda. House is going on the market in a few weeks and I hope to be on my way in May. The route hasn't changed much, just added a bunch more detail - its amazing what you can do with Excel for planning!! I have visa requirements, kit lists, links to sites for activities - almost everything and lots of calculations for how many days in a country, place, and the trip itself. The newest route is UK - US ...

... We have emailed most of our friends over the last week with a log of our travels. TUESDAY, 25th April...more local stuff Lunch with J at Merits restaurant. A dining room within Richmond Sixth Form College that enables the students in the catering and hospitality courses to practice what they had learned on the public...us. £25 for an excellent three course meal and a glass of wine. Shame about the acoustics in the room which inhibited talk...we had to shout at each other to be ...

... in our room. i have to agree! old ****. 21. geez Ive sent most of my stuff home, i have a backpack and thats it now. although the librabry were just selling cds here for a pound (yes, 1 pound!!) so i couldnt help myself..... another package is on its way home then..... I hope everyone is doing well, i cant wait to get home, but then again i cant wait to see the rest of the world!! Rusty is here in 3 weeks........ Love to all

... of you may know Duck is my favourite, as for anything chocolate! so i was happy =) I was right about living with a bunch of alcoholics. that £300 in alcohol ended up being £480. thats over $1100!!! Not a lot of sleep that night, boxing day was hectic. we all were walking around like zombies! Paul Dave and Aido, the 3 Aussie boys left yesterday. They were heaps of fun, it is extremely quiet without them! One will be coming back ...