Hello!! After 34 hours of travel I am in Beijing airport. It was an eventful start! The train down to Heathrow in itself was painfully slow after a car slid into a railway bridge which needed to be checked before we could pass under it which meant I was late before I even go to the airport. This, however, was a blessing in disguise as it was an hour and a half less that I had to stand in the snow outside Heathrow! Yes snow! Yes being made to stand outside... So I felt like a refugee, it was like being on the long boat in Laos again but FREEZING!!

So after 2 hours in the cold and talking to some very nice people I was allowed into Heathrow!! It was maniac!! I've never been before and I was overwhelmed! But when I finally stood in the right queue it was a quick and easy check in as my flight was one of the only ones leaving! YAHOO. So I went upstairs to the depatures to find more stranded passengers! Some had been there since Friday! We all checked through into the gate to find another sardine scenario. 3 people had checked in but didn't turn up to the gate so had to wait for their luggage to be taken off, then we had to be de-iced and as we were ready to go they realised there was no food on board@! So we were asked to take a vote! Leave with no food or stay in Heathrow and risk the flight being cancelled! So we headed off with no food.

The captain then told us that Heathrow was closed after we were let in and noone else was allowed in as it was overcome with people! So I've been in Beijing for 8 hours and am very bored so I though I'd update you on my journey so far! Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and I'll make you all suitably jealous after I've been the cricket on the 27th!

Lots of love, Ally xxxxxxxxxxx