Christmas has been and gone and now I'm back to finish off the Trip Tale.
Saturday saw us up bright and early...well bright anyway. We had a visit to Bury Markets planned. The last time we were there, we spotted a rucksack with wheels - just like the suitcases have. It was just what we wanted for plane trips and for Rob to trundle to work, when it's soccer day.
It's a rather longish bus trip from Prestwich to Bury, but there's plenty to look at on the way, so it's not one we minded taking. Bury Market is huge! If it's for sale anywhere, you'd probably find it (or a knock off) at Bury. Rob and I went from one building to the next, up and down the aisles and around every corner, looking for the place we saw the rucksack for sale. We stopped to have lunch at the same cafe we had eaten at previously and it suddenly dawned on us that the shop we were looking for was quite close. Eureka! There they were and there was the object of our expedition. At 14gbp it was a steal.
We did a leisurely cruise of the markets and decided to head off back to Prestwich. After dinner we watched a couple of TV shows and then headed off to bed. One thing about Rob's Gran's house, I never had any trouble sleeping. It was nice to have a room at the top of the house with our own private bathroom.
Sunday: Our plan was to catch a bus into Manchester and catch a movie. We had a wander around a few shops and then decided that the only show we wanted to see, was Finding Nemo. OK, so it's a kids flick, but we're both only a couple of overgrown kids anyway. We loved it - especially the turtle Crush, who was caught in a 70s surfing time warp. Bruce the Shark was pretty cool too and his voice was that of, no less than, Barry Humphries.
Sunday also marked the turning on of the Christmas lights in Manchester. The tree that we had witnessed underconstruction, was now complete and so were all the street decorations. The Town Hall was all dressed up and looking pretty smik. We didn't arrive for the entertainment or thankfully, the speeches, but we managed to have a good look, before we were swept up in the mass exodus from Prince Albert Square.
We had intended to stop for a meal in the City, but every place was either crowded out or closed. The decision was made to hop a bus and head 'home', grabbing a pizza from the local Pizzeria. I have a feeling that the damned virus may have already been at work on me, because I was decidedly grumpy and wasn't really upset with the idea of retiring to bed shortly after eating.
Monday: Our last full day in the UK.
Rob's aunt Heather kidnapped me for a trip to the local Tesco store. Now that was an experience and a half! It's just as well we don't have a store like that in Hornsby or Normanhurst. I'd spend all my time there, trying to decide what to choose, from their overloaded shelves and cold cabinets...not to mention a fully stocked variety and gardening section. I've never seen so many items of food in one place before ...and I'm no mean shopper!
I managed to find a really nice basket arrangement of plants (growing) as a 'thank you' for Rob's Nan, so the shopping trip was worth it just for that. I also found something I really love to eat. Something that took me right back to Sunday night supper when I was a kid: A large Melton Mowbray pork pie! I grabbed it and we had it for lunch with salad. Pure heaven.
Rob and I pottered around doing the last of the laundry and sorting out what we were sending back by parcel post, rather than paying a huge amount for excess luggage. We packed it all up ready for Rob to despatch first thing Tuesday.
Later in the day, we spent as much time as we could with Heather. I wish she lived in Australia, I'm sure we would be really firm friends. Rob's Gran still wasn't well and spent a lot of her days sleeping in the chair in front of the TV. (We heard from Heather the other day and she says that they've finally found out what was wrong with Gran and she's doing a whole lot better.)
Tuesday: Our last day in the UK.
Rob and I lugged our, now fully packed, suitcases and hand luggage down to the hall way. We had a leisurely breakfast and then decided to go for a last walk in Hetley Park. The sky looked pretty threatening and so we rugged up in anoraks etc. It was to be a nostalgic wander for Rob, who wanted to find the old Bandstand, where he played as a child.
We did the grand tour, taking in the Nursery section. The glass houses were full of plants, ready to give as gifts for the fast approaching Christmas. It was strange to see plants that we grow openly in our yards, treated with kidgloves. I must say that none of mine looked that good though.
Strolling up a hill, we came to some paddocks with Angus cattle and horses. The horses were rugged up with blankets against the chill and the cattle were sporting extra thick natural coats. The cattle started laying down...a sure sign that stormy weather was on its way!
Heading back towards the gates (and not a little lost) Rob spotted a path he recognized and, sure enough, there was the duck pond and his beloved bandstand. It's sorely in need of refurbishment and a facelift, and, according to notices we had seen, it would get one. Heatley Park is being given a complete overhaul. It needs it, because it would be a pity to let such a lovely (and huge) area of public recreational land, fall into complete disrepair.
We toddled off home, happy that we'd managed to accomplish our last wish and managed to still be dry. We spent the rest of the day chatting with Gran and Heather. Unfortunately, the time we had to leave for the Airport coincided with rush hour in and about Manchester, so dear Heather decided that she really didn't want to drive in the heavy traffic and leave Gran alone for so long. She had booked a taxi for us, earlier in the day AND given Rob the money to pay for it. I can't say enough about her hospitality and generosity.
Arriving at the airport, the obligatory 2 hrs before the flight, left us with time to tour the duty free shops and the bookstore. Rob picked up 3 Bill Bryson books that he got for the price of two and I scored a very ornate bottle of Jeans Co. Woman by Versace. Rob's excuse for spoiling me, was that he was using up the last of his UK currency.
Eventually we boarded our Emirates flight and proceded to be force fed every couple of hours. Fortunately their food is pretty nice. We landed in Dubai and found that our departure gate was right at the other end of the airport. Those travelling further (us included) were taken by bus to the terminal.
Dubai Airport has to be seen to be believed. It's obvious that no expense has been spared with the decorating. Huge, glittering spaceships, with flashing lights are suspended from the ceiling. Gorgeous lighting fixtures which look like cascades of golden water drops are high up on the walls. I only wish I'd taken pics of it all.
Our next flight was not so good. We boarded to find that I didn't have my requested aisle seat. Luckily the third person in our row didn't like his seat either and the flight attendant managed to find him another. We watched movies on the seat back consuls and also played a few games...and of course ate. Landing in Singapore, we stayed on board. It was only a stop for refueling and neither of us wanted to drag our handluggage down for a break of under an hour.
The new crew came on board before the passengers returned and in no time I was told I was in the wrong seat. I explained the situation...heck I was only in the next bloody seat! Being me, I got a little hot under the collar and told her that I had booked an aisle seat and that due to arthritus in my hip, I wasn't moving. I think she got the message and agreed that I was OK sitting where I was. Now I understand Air Rage. It's bad enough being cramped up in a tin can, without things going wrong...especially when you have a long flight ahead of you.
Looking out over Australia was one of the loveliest things I've seen in a long time. Coming into Sydney was euphoric! I was so happy to be home. I know Rob was pretty pleased to get back too.
We caught a taxi home and, after a couple of hours, decided that the jet lag had won. I don't think I'd been asleep for more than an hour, when my phone rang. It was my work...wanting to know if I would work Sunday! For goodness sake, I'm back in the country a couple of hours (this was Thursday) and they wanted to know if I'd do someone elses shift? I couldn't believe it and I don't think I was too polite, just before I hung up!
So, here ends the saga of Rob and Vickie's trip to the Old Dart.
Thanks for your patience in reading this far.
Vickie.
Posted by Midus at December 29, 2003 01:24 PM