After a comfortable nights sleep on terra firma we headed off on our separate ways for a few days. Fiona headed off in a chauffeur driven jaguar to Howarth - the country of the Bronte sisters. I merely caught a taxi to the Manchester Airport train terminal for the trip to Lancaster. The fastest train I've ever been on. Collected by Pat & Brian and off to their home in Heysham. Catching up with and spending time with them was really good. They were very gene...

And so we headed off. The flight to Abu Dhabi was a bum numbing 14 hrs. Three hours in the airport, with the departure area changed 4 times. Then on our way to Manchester - a much easier 8 hrs. Arrived in Manchester and hopped a taxi for a short trip to the Pymgate Airport Hotel. Cosy enough - at least not in a plane any longer - which truly was a blessing. That evening our first English pub meal, with the welcome addition of chips and a pint. The next morning ...

Last day in London, absolutely amazing time +++. Weather has been at times cold & wet. Internet and phone remain a challenge. Seen plenty of museum history. Wonderful Egyptian, Assyrian & Viking artifacts. The Rosetta Stone, Elgin marbles, the Nimrud gates, the Mildendorp and Sutton Hoo treasure hordes - too many amazing things. Amazing art by Raphael, Van Gogh, Manet, Rembrandt, Goya, Piero della Francesca, Francis Bacon, Kandinsky. On and on... Pu...