Larnsnewlife: Sunny Britain

Hello from Sunny Somerset :)

Yes, I'm back in the Land of Blighty! That's what they call it, I think? I want to thank all of my beautiful family and friends for showing their love and support, in recent weeks, since the passing of my much loved Dad xxxx I feel a big hole in my heart, and it makes me very sad to know that I will not see my gorgeous "Pa" ever again and for that matter, my beautiful Mum :( (but I will definitely feel their presence around me) I know that they are together once more, after meeting up on their Wedding Anniversary. Well I like to think they are xxxx

I have had a few days to get over the flight, prepare myself mentally and physically on the return to work, which is tomorrow. Since I have been in Oz, I realised that I wasn't quite ready to come home yet. I don't feel like my journey here in the Uk has finished! I feel a little torn, as I do cherish my friendship's and miss all my family and friends as well! I do however, look upon this time here in the UK as very special and it's MY adventure or dream that I will keep with me for a lifetime. So it's important to fulfill that dream, as what else will I be able to write about and tell stories to my grandchildren :)

I have to point out a great quote I heard from a dear friend the other day "don't look to the past, your not going that way!" I may not have the exact words correct, but the message really rang clear in my head, keep moving forward and onward, despite the fear that creeps in, I know what I want to do, just let my soul be happy! I have also discovered that life is way too short and there is an awful lot to pack in! I am totally in charge of my own life, I make the choices, I live with those choices, some great, maybe some not so great, but I hold the steering wheel! I look at so many married couples and wonder sometimes why that didn't work for me? So many others before me have probably thought the same. I wish for a loving relationship now for myself and especially my kids, sometimes though wondering if that is what was meant for me? I may not have a loving partner, but look at my beautiful kids and my beautiful friends, that's love, right there!

Now that I have opened my heart and given you a taste of how I feel, I best start to show you what gave me joy since returning to the UK.

I flew into London at about 4pm, thinking, this is good, we are a little early on the schedule time. It was a very long wait though, once I tried to get through Customs! Which was about an hour to an hour and a half :( then it was a treck to the Baggage collection area. A sea of black cases, thank god I put a nice black and white ribbon and a bright pink label on my case! After lunging at my case on the racing baggage conveyor belt, nearly putting my back out. (Where is the big muscle man, offering to help me out?) obviously he was off helping some other damsel in distress! For those that know Heathrow Airport, you will know that it's all about looking after yourself and getting through the maze of the crowd as quickly as possible. I feel quite travelled now, that even in different countries now, I know the drill!

After making my way finally out to the exit, I then had to try and find the "shuttle bus" that takes me to?? OMG can't remember where I'm staying tonight? Frantically I search for my iPad, can't find the info, can I, I took a stab at the last entry I had made on Bookings.com and when I went to the counter for the shuttle bus, no I'm sorry Ma'am, we don't have those apartments on our list :( as tired as I was after flying 20 hours, I stayed calm and smiled at the man behind the counter, in the hope that he would help me locate the number for the units and get me on a bus (which apparently you are suppose to book!) a quick sit down, followed by a prayer was in order. Ahhhhhh suddenly the man says, Ma'am I have found the number, you can ring on this phone :) blessings to you my wonderful friend. I soon had the confirmation for my night's stay and discovered it was going to cost less if I got the tube (underground) to Glousester Road station and then walk to the apartments. The shuttle bus, which I might add, wasn't coming for another 50 minutes, was going to cost me £22! So the tube was the best option :) Tip for weary travellers ( don't have more than one case each, when you have to jump on the tube, or leap off at your station, with no one to help. Fortunately at this station they had a lift, which is not the norm, I might tell you in the UK. I have to stand at the end of the train, all the way to Glousester road. Mind the Gap, I hear coming from the recorded message as I try and maneuver my "two cases" (one medium and one small) onto the station before I get part of my body jammed in the doors as they are trying to close! Ahhhhhh no lift at this station and look at those stairs! Fortunately a very nice man offered to help take my case up to the top, very grateful, he bounded up those stairs as if he had done it a million times before, leaving me slowly making my way up each stair without being crushed in the rush. He waited till he saw me close to the top (god bless him) then I said thank you so much and watched my bag didn't Dissappear from sight.

After walking blocks in the wrong direction and having very sore feet, I managed to ask a cabbie, where was I and he says " oh you are way back that a way! Finally made it to the apartments and guess where my room is? Yes you guessed right, top floor! No lift here either :( The nice young man said "are you right with getting your cases upstairs?" "No" was my reply and then he kindly helped me upstairs. After a long awaited shower and a bit of a walk up town, I stopped into Tesco's Direct for my dinner and I enjoyed the walk back to the apartments, it was still light at 9pm, watched all the people socialising in the outdoor Pubs along the street. I wasn't in the mood, besides, not my practise to go to Pubs alone :(

Next morning I was up having my breakfast of fruit and a few nuts, got myself down to the station and on to a train to Paddington Station, (an experience, standing at the back of the tube train, holding cases as it whizz's through the stations. I at least had a bum seat to lean against the back of the train, as it hurtled along to Paddington again no lift! Finally made it to Paddinton, got my ticket for Castle Cary, which doesn't leave for an hour and a half. Ok time for a sit down and a cuppa I thought. But upon trying to ring my wonderful friend and neighbour to pick me up from the train at the other end, realised that the carrier was not being friendly, I was not able to even message her. After a walk a few blocks away to the Carphone Warehouse, I sat on the phone (on hold) to Orange, for at least a half an hour, only to be disconnected, then the nice Manager, gave me another number to ring from his phone and I went through the waiting game once more. Time was getting away from me, I was starting to think how fast I will have to shuffle down the street to the station with my cases. Orange (my mob provider) said they would ring me back and get it sorted. I then ran almost down three blocks to the station, found out my platform for the train to Castle Cary and at last walked to my train and sat down, yayyy.

After a couple of calls, Orange finally got their act together and added my credit for my phone. I was then able to msg my lovely neighbour, who came to pick me up from the train station.

Yes, I'm finally home almost. :) was so lovely to see Rani and we talked all the way back home. I had time for a quick empty of the cases and then we both went off to Lidl to get some shopping, as my fridge and cupboard were bare.

It was so nice to make my bed and have a nice sleep :) I did have planned to go to a work do, but after all the running around over the last two day's, I was exhausted :( I'm sorry Keri and Ros from work, I wish you well in your new jobs and I'm sure we will be in contact soon.

Friday was a lovely day, decided to go for a ride with Rani and we were going to see Corfe Castle, which is in Dorset. Slight hiccup, Rani's GPS took us to Corfe, but it was in the different direction! We decided to stop at the Corfe pub for a drink (non al) at this time of the day. Recharged our batteries and then we set off for the Corfe Castle, which was only an hour and half away :)

I have to say that I have sooooo missed the countryside, it is just so beautiful, green fields everywhere, what a beautiful day, a mild 23 degrees, everyone we saw, had shorts and t/shirts on. Almost a heat wave here lol

We finally made it to Corfe Castle, or the ruins of the castle. What an amazing sight! We both decided that we would join the National Trust, as this then gives us free entry into any of the National Trust sites for 12 months.