Travelodge Reading Whitley

Day zero: Departure<br><br>Packing's done, but today&#8217;s list has a dozen or more things to do (all easy and mundane) &#8211; take meter readings, returning a forgotten library book, squeeze the car into the garage etc.<br><br>An early Christmas card is dropped off by Claire and Derek, near neighbours who amazingly in a few days are doing their own extended world trip, and whose paths cross ours in Cairns in four weeks time.<br><br>Steve is coming at 2.30pm to ...

<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 ...

... Bekey, Mum and Dad and then set off to Birmingham Moor Street for the first stage of my trip, train to Heathrow airport with Kate. Made a few last minute phone calls to Tina (little sis) and Tom and got to the platform with minutes to spare.<br><br>Kate provided a lovely picnic on the train and we spent a couple of hours making crazy plans, gossiping about work and chattering like kids. Between the 2 of us we managed to negotiate the London Tube system with all my bags ...

... wouldn't open and by the time I ran to the other carriage the train started moving. Ticket inspector said I'd have to get off at Paddington, catch a train back and then get another coach. **** that. Simple blag at Paddington got me through the gates and then it was a simple 8 quid for the Heathrow tube.

... night. Yet another example of the fantastic scout hospitality we have found. Next stop Reading. The AA advised 2 hours travel, our friend in Reading (Jane) suggested 3 hours, it took ...... 6 HOURS!!! All the jokes about the M25 being the largest car-park in the world are true. We managed 10mph for much of the journey with nothing to see causing the delays. We get to do the same journey in reverse tomorrow as we move to Stansted to depart for Rome - OH JOY.

... s friend Abdul's Gambian dance workshop! The week before WOMAD we headed into London to see wee sis Charlotte for the last time ...

... decision to quit my job with nothing to go to was something only a genius could conjure up. Seeing that I wasn't too worried about getting a new job (I think I thought that job offers would be falling from the sky) and that I'm a bit of a procrastinator, I only registered with one job agency. Just as I was thinking oh **** maybe I'm in a more serious situation than I thought I got a call, went for an interview, and got a job! I'm now working for the Economist (the magazine ...

JB Wrote : In the beginning of 1863 and while it was yet winter, I had to go on a flying visit to Arendal, on the southern coast of Norway. Circumstances, beyond my control, permitted no choice as to the season, which rendered travelling extremely difficult; the usual means of conveyance being suspended until spring. I was further more restricted as to time; and having to leave a business requiring close attention, it was desirable to make my absence from it as brief as ...

... Victoria and Albert Museum, Hampton Court Palace,China town for Yum-cha (which is no better than the Valley version, but had to give it a go, right?), various pubs, checking out some of the biggest and coolest book and music shops you will ever see (Rob and Johhno, Matt & Bree etc), we have found at least 50 books and records you would kill for), going to the food market - the Cheese section is particularly droolworthy, having discovered how much better ...

An *dren*lin ride with * few wrong turns l*ter (Tobys driving w*s ****) we m*de it to Re*ding *live, K*rl w*s living in * cute little cott*ge type house in the country surrounded by p*ddocks *nd horses which w*s pretty cool *ctu*lly. After just enough time to dump my b*gs we r*ced off *nd spent the *fternoon *t my first English Rugby g*me (*ctu*lly only one of 2 to d*te) where we w*tched ...