We made it to Lisbon!

Well hello again, we are now in hot sunny Lisbon in a hostel with fantastic and friendly service, but rather "interesting" facilities and guests!

Anyway, our last few days in England went quickly, and we didn't get up to too much. Glen had a day working in and around Bristol, and the kids and I had a quiet day at the motel, catching up on some rest. The following day we drove to Reading, which is just outside London, but went via Bath - which was beautiful, then Swindon to see the magic round-a-bout, which is 5 roundabouts all in one (yes, very odd, but fascinating to Glen), then up to Oxford where we spent an hour walking round the old colleges, and finally to our lovely Hotel in Reading. It felt like a night of pure luxury, however it was the same price as our very basic old hostel in central London.

At the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol

Walking around Oxford

In the morning we got sorted quickly and dropped our rental car off at Heathrow with plenty of time to check-in, however it was very efficient there and we had heaps of time at the airport to have a bite to eat and spend our last few pounds. When we arrived there though, the first check-in desk we saw as we entered the building, was the Air New Zealand desk, and my instinct was to head straight for that! Hmmm, 3 more weeks! For this flight, we were flying with TAP Portugal, and were very impressed with the service. Stefan hasn't coped well with any of the flights since we left Christchurch, and I'm dreading the last 2 flights that I have to do without Glen's help with him, however the entire flight crew bent over backwards to try and help. They were all concerned for his wellbeing, and spent ages chatting to him, offering him yummy food, drinks, toys, and even offered him the opportunity to sit in the cockpit with the pilots. Sadly he declined! But really impressed with their service anyway.

One last UK pic: Chasing a squirrel up a tree in St James Park, London

We arrived in Lisbon to 30 degree heat (sorry to all those at home) and once settled into our rooms, had a look round the waterfront, and then sat outside at a cafe in one of the pedestrian streets with some light refreshments and watching the football, with the slowest service on the planet! Yes, 45 minutes later Xanthe and Lucas got their milkshakes! And they even had the nerve to try and charge me for the orange juice which I ordered but never received - and yes, I asked! And right behind us in the street were a couple of drug dealers doing business too!

Praça Do Comércio in Lisbon

Today we took the tram along the waterfront to where some of the more famous monuments are, such as the Belem Tower and the monasteries. In the next few days while Glen is attending his conference, the kids and I hope to head out to the aquarium which is one of the biggest in the world, plus there is a famous old castle and church on the hill right behind where we are staying, and have a look round the city.

Anyway, my life lesson in the last week - never ever enter into an argument with an middle-aged English-man over Kiwi vs English accents!