We feel like we have run a marathon, but we are now safely in Edinburgh. We knew the Kuala Lumpur to Edinburgh leg of the journey was going to be the toughest. We had a 6 hour wait at K.L. airport after our hotel checkout as our flight didn’t depart until after midnight (4am NZ time), then a 13 hour flight, a 5 hour layover at Heathrow and then the flight up to Edinburgh. Add that all up and we were on the go for a mammoth 25+ hours!
We had great intentions of an afternoon sleep at the hotel before checking out, but the most we managed was a short snooze. We filled in the 6 hours with some dinner, some extra buggy rides between the hotel and the terminal and airport shops.
There are soooo many choc shops at KLIA
A 5000 sq ft kids shop at KLIA
Matt managed the most sleep on the plane and I got enough to get by. Amazingly Anna hardly slept at all. She spent a lot of time looking out the window and following the map of the flight path. The first part of the flight was over India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan etc. and she was intrigued by the lights out the window. The military bases and lights of the borders between countries stood out clearly. After that we headed across The Baltic States, then over Poland, Germany, Amsterdam and across to London. Not much to see over those countries apart from the tops of clouds, which look pretty much the same the world over!
I had been telling the kids that Heathrow was one of the busiest in the world, but they weren’t convinced when we arrived at 5:30am to a very quiet airport. We had to transit from Terminal 4 to Terminal 1 to change to our Edinburgh flight. That involved a bus ride and numerous security checks. Heathrow looks like a construction site as they get it ready for the Olympics. It’s hard to imagine it will all be finished in less than 100 days. Fortunately the airport is a lot more appealing inside than outside. We had 5 hours to fill in and there was enough to keep us entertained. It was so exciting to be back in Britain after 15 years, it really felt like I had come home.
Matt outside a mini Hamleys at Heathrow. They can’t wait for the big one!
Our flight to Edinburgh took less than an hour. It was the most amazing feeling to finally be there and find Great Aunty Jo at the baggage claim. We are with Jo for 2 weeks. She is my Mum’s best friend from teacher training College days and is a very special part of our family. She comes out to NZ for a few months every 2 years so the kids know her well and just adore her.
Welcome poster at Jo’s front door.
A delicious first Scottish meal – not fast food or plane food!
Not much happened that first afternoon, we were just so exhausted. Bed after an early dinner never felt so good. Normally the kids will use any excuse to get a later bedtime, but they were just begging to be allowed to finally go to bed!
Wonderful to see the start …what will follow …lots of fantastic things
See you soooon Joxxx
have a wonderful trip – will be thinking of you all the way!
Graet to talk and read this latest blog – love the photos too – brings back memories – maybe we will go next year!!!1
love
Ma & Pa xx
How happy you must be to have arrived and have the long journey all behind you.
Don’t you just love Jo’s place. It is so safe,warm and inviting. I loved the artwork, plates and little extras all over the walls. Kept me amused for ages.
You will love being there for a few days and once the sleeping is back to normal you will enjoy it even more.
Thinking of all with heaps of love,
Nan & Pops. Xxxxx
Weather here is amazing and Hamilton is putting on a great show for the V8s!!!!!!!!
How beautiful it looks from your photos. So pleased you have arrived safely and hope that Anna is catching up on sleep. What is Matts plan for the Loch Ness monster should it make an appearance?
Have fun and you are in our thoughts and prayers. Hope the foot is holding up Sandra.
Much love the Worthingtons.
Hi Creahan family,
So exciting to read all your blogs. You are doing so well describing your adventures and posting photos – they are awesome! We have realised that although the weather here is still amazing, your blog is going to be a great way of getting us through the next few weeks as winter creeps up on us and the rain and cold take over. Last year at the same time our friends the Hewitts from Beachlands did their American trip and we would gather around the computer on cold Hunua winter mornings to gaze on sunny photos from the other side of the world! It kept us going. We look forward to following your wonderful trip as you move from place to place. Have Fun! Love – the Bonds. (PS – The travelling Takahae pics are cool!)
Hi guys, soo pleased you have arrived safely and looks like lovely blue skies over there, as there still are here. The photos are amazing, the kids like the Tui and Takahae! They will be well travelled birds by the time they get back to NZ. They are also fascinated by the food and toy shop photographs and comments. Clearly a priority for Anna and Matt. We look forward to reading your updates along the way – Love the Hughes
Great you got to our blog – hope your Internet woes are over! Catching up on sleep now and adjusting faster than I expected. Foot is doing ok, a bit sore but quite likes the cold climate! Hope the return to school goes well. More blogs coming soon. X
Great to read of your adventures – brings back wonderful memories to us all, seems no time since we were sitting at Jo’s dining room table or wandering round the streets of Edinburgh… Have some Cadbury’s chocolate mousse for us 🙂 Love to all Graham, Linda, Ryan and Caitlin xxxx