4th January 2011

It is one minute past midnight on the morning of 5th January 2011 and, according to Marion, we are (probably) over Russia about now! We have been flying since about 10pm so we still have a loooooooong while to go yet.

It has been a very long and tiring day. We got up and went down for breakfast at about 9.30 but didn't have to check out until midday which was nice. We got a bus back to Gatwick and a coach to Heathrow. Marion had some National Express vouchers from about 5 years ago but we thought we'd try and wangle them anyway. It didn't work. And I tried to get a student discount by saying I was 18 but that didn't work either (I wonder why!!)

We got to Heathrow at about 2pm but check-in didn't open until 6.30pm so we had a while to wait. We parked ourselves in a cafe and managed to stay there until check-in time and have a nice chat without getting kicked out :0)

When we finally got through to departures we had another long wait until the gate opened and I could hardly keep my eyes open. The gate was meant to open at 8.35pm but didn't until about 9ish after which we headed down to gate 35 where I saw the biggest plane I've ever seen in my life!

As we boarded there were stewards and stewardesses at the door of the plane who greeted us on with warm smiles. They all look so lovely and glamorous and can't do enough to help you.

One thing that disappointed me was that there's not a TV screen for each person - instead there's one at the front of the cabin for everyone to see so we don't get a choice of what to watch. Good job I bought my Patrick Swayze book!

We are sat by a nice girl called Sarah who is moving to New Zealand to start a new job as a physiotherapist. She spent three months there last year and so has given me some tips for places to go and lots of advice :0)

Tea was served about 11.30pm and I had beef stroganoff with tagliatelle, carrots and peas - yum!

They've turned the lights out in the cabin now and lots of people are sleeping but I've gone beyond that point I think! I am going to go for a little walk and read some of my book and hopefully that should help me nod off.

Missing home and lots of love
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