What comes to mind about my UK visit

Except for certain names, I did not take notes for the purpose of writing about my UK visit. The reason being, I am using my memory as editor, it being selective on its own!

Briefly, my itinerary in UK was:

July 17 to 21: Colchester to attend Cheng’s convocation;
stayed at Alex’s (our base) in Dartford from July 21 to 23;
hired a car from July 24 to 26, to Leeds to show our 2 daughters for the first time our first and second house which they have heard so much about and to visit SP’s ex-colleagues; stayed in London from July 27 to 30 with some Afghans;
surprise birthday party for Alex and Dissa, and stayed at Paula’s in Maidstone on July 31;
stayed at Alex’s on Aug 1 and 2; These 3 nights were originally planned to stay with Nee in Canterbury.
Alex and Clem took us to The School House Bed and Breakfast in Thorganby near York, as guests of Paul and Helene from Aug 3 till 5;
and last but not least, Aug 6, stayed with Alex and Clem and last minute packing before our flight the next day. Alex, true to his helpful nature, took a day off just so that he could send us to Heathrow and stayed till we checked-in!

Because of the big difference in currency values, my main problem during my visit was this uneasy feeling, of being increasingly indebted to him and others!

“Tempus Fugis” which we can find printed on many European clocks means “Time flies” in Latin, especially when we are enjoying ourselves.

Just unpacked the luggages at home, and I have always wondered how SP could manage to pack so many breakable items like porcelain flowers and commemorative mugs, decanter and crystal glasses and believe it or not, a wall clock as well as a mantelpiece clock which she promised Alex that she would bring back for repairs!

The wall clock is supposed to be an old French one with an enamelled face. While she was bargaining with the seller at Spittafield Market near Liverpool Street rail station, she was shocked to see a big mic near her, and it turned out to be a team from ..TV on their rounds to gather material for a tv programme called Sun, Sea and Bargain spotting. She had to sign a statement agreeing to the clip being aired and also not to sue them because of it.

Though it was a bargain at 15 quid, it was hard work for us, especially my son and my nephew, as it traveled with us on buses and trains, lugged by hand or sitting on a baby buggy! As it could not fit into any of our hand luggage bag, it had to be thickly bubble-wrapped as well as protected by Cheng’s Mexican poncho and other clothes to go into a luggage bag. Fortunately, it was intact when we unpacked. But imagine my constant worry over “what if the customs asked to see each and every item!” Packing is only one part of the job, as it can be a real hassle having to unpack for inspection and then put it back in front of everyone.

One of our 2 hand luggages contained a Royal Doulton crystal decanter with 4 glasses bought from Harrods sale and SP insisted that she carried them personally all the way! I was hoping that she would give it to Alex and Clem as a present but we should know what collectors are like – sorry Alex!

Cheng was upset when we were packing because mum promised to take a luggage bag full of her stuff on her return, but with her own shopping done, most items were pushed to Big Bro, which in effect, he will have to sacrifice his own shopping…unlikely, at the rate he spotted bargains at Designers’ Outlet in York!