There was an African and Englishman and two girls from Croatia

No it is not the start of an interesting joke or the cast list for a Porn flick it is the precise number of people waiting for passengers at Terminal 5 on a Friday evening. Judi is on the last plane to land. I have my sign ready to hold up but to be honest if she can not recognize me in this small but dedicated group then as the say in the films “Huston we have a problem”.

Well of course she finds me and off we trot to the car park. Try the first pay station and put in my ticket the screen responds by saying “welcome to the hardware wizard” which is not a good start. Move on to the next one and it says 10 pounds 26 ( I am 3 minutes over the 2 hours ). Ok got cash and look for the place to stick it in but pasted over the paper money slot is a “not in use” label. Ok now lets fumble around for my credit cards. Judi suggests we use hers and given my recent record with cards I am quite grateful. I remember a huge banner in the entrance to T5 from British Airways saying “welcome to our home” well to be honest sunshine your home needs a bit of work.

Next thing is to navigate around the perimeter of Heathrow which I used to do every other week so it is an easy task. Then M4, M25, M40 Off at the Uxbridge turn off and towards Gerrards Cross and the next thing you know its Saturday morning. Only a slight panic waking up and wondering where I am. Not helped by the fact that Judi is not there. Judi “Never” gets up before me especially at weekends. Of course I had forgotten about the 3 hour time change I think it is 8 am Judi thinks it is 11 am. Ok where’s the coffee.

Off back into town and we manage to get stuck in a traffic jam on the Motorway (freeway). I think it is a particularly English thing that we would build a highway road system which is in fact now slower that the ordinary road it was built to avoid. Anyway the fastest way to travel these days seems the be by avoiding the motorways altogether. Park the hire car at Hammersmith and get the Tube (that train that goes underground) into Leicester square and walk backwards to Covent garden. Now the experts amongst you will be thinking Hammersmith ?? You could get off at Covent Garden why go to Leicester Square. Good question and the answer is Covent Garden has a lift which you get squashed into and not an escalator it makes Judi nervous and given my sole purpose in life it to make her happy what’s a 10 minute walk.

We meet up with friends from way back and there two charming girls. A coffee and a pint later we are off to the next appointment. First a quick trip into Marks & Spencer Food court for Pork pies and sandwiches. Pork pies are a very English thing and not a delicacy you tend to find once you leave this isle. There are not many things I miss about the land of my birth but Pork pies probably top the list. (then Baxter’s beetroot).

Back on the tube ( train thing) we pass the food back and forth much to the annoyance of everyone else in the carriage. I half expected someone to tut at us. I know alcohol is banned aud not sure if food is as well but I am hungry so I am willing to take the risk. Off at Hammersmith and walk to our friends. They live in a quiet side street which we have visited more times than we care to remember. This is a special trip a first baby for them and a new traveling companion for us. We arrive just as the new Paternal grandparents are leaving to go shopping so we probably have a couple of hours before they return. Bev and Richard are beaming and full of hospital and baby story’s. The best being when the surgeon had finished explaining all about the intricacies and inherent risks of the cesarean he was about to perform and asked Richard if he had any questions the response was “Am I ok to use the flash on my camera in there” a line which I am sure will live with him for a long while.

Judi was against her will required to hold Harry Edward Hawk as he will be known, an experience she does not particularly enjoy but has little option to go along with. All she could say is its (he) is so heavy (around 9lbs so yes a bit) and look at those fingernails. The only other significant comment was Judi asking where are we going on vacation next summer. So seems like Harry has been accepted and whilst I am sure there will be some limitations to our holiday adventures I am sure we can find somewhere acceptable to everyone.

Maybe a house in the South of France with a nice garden and a dog now where have I heard that one recently.