Let me start by saying 12 hours stopovers are not my friend. I was so tired I kept falling asleep at a table, waking up, feeling terrible, repeat. Can’t recommend it at all. Very grateful though that they had showers at the lounge so I didn’t feel like a completely humidified mess before the final leg.

It was nice to get on the plane knowing (or at least hoping) I’d be able to get some proper sleep. I feel sorry for the staff, there was a good degree of “Sir…Sir….Sir! What would you like for supper” because I swear I was asleep 30 seconds after getting in my seat. But it all worked out, I managed to get through dinner without falling asleep in it, but after that, I was pressing that magic “turn my seat into a bed” button and I was pretty much out like a light.

This would have to be the shortest 9 hour flight I’ve ever taken, because apart from one loo top in the middle of the night, the next thing I knew was “Sir… Sir… what would you like for breakfast?”. So I was extremely grateful for the bed, the sleep, and the fact that time passed by so quickly.

Breakfast itself was amazing, a vege poke bowl which was fresh and delicious, not the usual kind of thing I’d have for breakfast but I’m so glad I chose it. Once again Vietnam Airlines have done an excellent job with the food, and with their customer service.

So, it’s been an amazing 5-and-a-bit weeks, time for a bit of a recap to see what I can remember.

Frankfurt was nice to see, with its beautiful old (though maybe not that old) town square, its main Main river, and enough different types of the freshest bread products to make your head spin.

Amsterdam was a joy to return to, the windmills were amazing and the Keukenhoff gardens dazzling.

Liverpool, Eurovision, completely unforgettable to realise a long-held dream of seeing it live and first-hand. That, and Liverpool proved itself to be a beautiful city with so many kind and friendly locals.

Dublin was as good a place as any to stay in a hotel and recover from Covid, but glad we did get to see the bit along the river Liffey, and the tour up to Northern Island for the Titanic museum.

Birmingham, well, near Birmingham was a lovely spot to stay with our friends there, so good to catch up after a long time.

York is just steeped in history and the beauty of its built environment really is something. The airbnb we stayed in, first built in the 1500s (though I guess it wasn’t an airbnb then) was also a treat.

Edinburgh is such a beautiful city, crammed with solid buildings giving it both an air of history, but also of permanence into the future. The trip out to the highlands showed just how much natural beauty there is to soak up in Scotland, and seeing the big red Forth Railway Bridge was a joy. (I know, weird thing to be joyful about, but whatever)

London, land of west-end shows,of history, of modernity, of tube stations, I’m not sure if it’s ever possible to stay there long enough but I’d like to keep trying til I know for sure.

Overall, we’ve had an amazing time, with the most incredible fortune when it comes to weather, and, Covid-aside, no days where everything just turned to crap or plans were ruined. Couldn’t have gone much better.

We arrived home to a lovely clean house, the German backpackers who were house-sitting have done a great job. And then of course there’s the cat. According to the house-sitters she has finally really bonded with them in the last two weeks, but it’s time to shake that all up again. I wasn’t sure she’d remember us, but the minute she walked in she was very talkative and put up with a lot more pats than she usually would, purring and purring, so phew, we weren’t completely forgotten 🙂

As for unpacking — happy to report that everything we’d bought arrived in one piece (some of it slightly squashed but nothing really damaged). Now it’s time to all that mundane post-holiday stuff – check the mail, do a ton of washing, and marvel about what an excellent 40 or so days it has been. I guess that’s about it for the time being, thanks for coming along on the journey with us.

‘Til next time!