Day 11 - Monday 6th August

We set the alarm for 5:30am because we had to check out of the hotel and catch the Airport Limousine bus to Narita airport for our flight to London.

Unlike the trip from Narita to Tokyo about 10 days ago, there were no traffic problems in getting to the airport - we were going against the peak-hour traffic.

At the check-in counter, the attendant told us that business class was fully booked. I was about to tell her that we already reserved our seats online yesterday when she offered to upgrade us free-of-charge to first class. We were delighted but it did not last long because she realised a couple of minutes later that we'd used Qantas Frequent Flyer points rather than paying for the flight. She said she wouldn't be allowed to upgrade us after all. Rats! It would have been good because we've never travelled first class.

We had breakfast in the business lounge and Suzy went to the duty-free shops to spend all our remaining cash that was in Yen.

The plane's departure seemed to be going well until we were lined up on the runway for take-off. It started to rain heavily and the captain announced that he and the two planes in front of him would have to wait until the worst of the storm had passed. We were there for more than half an hour. He thought we would be able to make up time on route but we arrived in London almost an hour late.

I thought the service on the flight was very good. They served us lunch a couple of hours after take-off and another lighter meal an hour or two before we landed.

After the lunch, they dimmed the cabin lights so people could have a sleep. Initially, I didn't intend to have a sleep but, after the lunch and wine, I felt tired. By pushing a button, the seats in BA business class lay completely flat and so I had a nap for about an hour.

I'd come prepared with a power adapter so I could recharge the various devices I was using on the flight. Unfortunately the power outlets weren't working because of some problem with the plane's batteries.

Nicky had booked a car (London Airport Transport) to pick us up from Heathrow and take us to their place in East Finchley. The driver was very friendly. He moved to the UK from Sri Lanka about 26 years ago and has recently become a father after trying for 12 years - including lots of IVF that cost a fortune. He proudly showed us the photo of his son.

The driver is a very keen cricket fan with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the game including Australian matches and players. He said he supports the English team rather than Sri Lanka - he claimed that Tamils like him are not allowed to play for Sri Lanka. He was keen to listen to the test match that was in progress between England and South Africa.

Nicky and Amelia were at home when we arrived and soon afterwards John came home early from work. It was good to see them.

This time we will be staying with them at their new house - they moved a few weeks ago from Hampstead to East Finchley. Our room is on the second level - the same level as Amelia's room and the room that will become the baby's nursery once the baby is old enough.

Nicky and John's bedroom is on the third level. They have an ensuite bathroom and walk-in robe. There is a cot for the baby in their room.

Nicky cooked dinner for us and we then sat down to watch the Olympics on the BBC.


When we got to bed at about 10pm London time, it had been almost 24 hours since we got out of bed in Tokyo. It had been a long day and we were very tired.