Are we there yet? Sure are:-)

Thanks for your prayers and well wishes for the children. They were both well enough to travel. Michael still has a cough but it sounds manageable.

Well, after a flight that was delayed by 3.5 hours we finally left Sydney. All due to people error, unfortunately. Someone had dropped something into the Business Class toilet on the previous flight and maintanance crews had tried all day to get it back into some semblance of working order. For once we were glad we were in Economy as all our toilets were working! The next delay was due to missing passengers. I presumed that due to the delay they had fallen asleep in some corner of the airport, but no, they had flown on another flight and weren't taken off the system. The pilot was livid when he had to advise the passengers firstly of the delay and then secondly for the reason! I felt sympathetic towards him rather than mutinous. The flight was uneventful and we made up some time to arrive in Bangkok 2.30am local time, only 2.5 hours late. Heathrow was next, 12 hours later (9.30am local time/6.30pm Sydney time). We all dozed prior to Bangkok and then tried to sleep before landing at Heathrow. Customs was very uneventful, only a passport check and then we picked up the luggage immediately and then through an unmanned customs hall to the exit. Not what I was expecting at all. The courtesy bus to Avis was ready and waiting, the car checked and the seat and mirrors adjusted for Andrew's height, then we were off to find our way to Marlow. I feel greater sympathy for obvious newcomers to Sydney roads. Reading street signs, looking at the arrows on the road, reading street maps, looking for speed signs, remembering that it is miles not kilometers while in a different country and getting used to a different car was hectic and an experience, but we'll improve.

John and Nikki, Sarah (4) and Chloe (2) were waiting at home to great us with a local beer and a wonderful baked lunch. We later walked the local streets to the High Street and then to the Thames to feed the white swans and watch the boaters on the river. There is a lock at the township, so we watched the mechanics of that for a while. Marlow is a pretty town and lovely to walk through. The weather was perfect, sunny and warm. Much better than the summer they have just had, we were told. On a wonderful Sunday afternoon, many people were out and about, walking, playing, boating and generally enjoying the sunshine.

Michael's dream to see heaps of you beaut European top of the range cars has already come true as Marlow is up market and there are heaps of Porshes, Jaguar's, Audi's, MG's, Lotus and more. Rachel really enjoyed the local park and swans. Both Michael and Rachel are enjoying getting to know Sarah and Chloe and playing big brother and sister. So much so that Michael helped Chloe with her breakfast this morning and Rachel helped Sarah get ready for school. After a good night's sleep we are today off to Windsor castle to see if the Queen is there and if she wants to have a cuppa with us.

Photos later when I work out how to use John's computer better.

Talk again soon. Love to you all.