Update from the UK

It has been a couple of weeks since our last post, as unfortunately all three of us have been quite sick. Not what you need while on holiday! We left Auckland for our super long journey to London on Monday 13 August. This involved two 12 hour flights with a three hour "transit" in Hong Kong. Although Matthew didn't sleep much on the way to Hong Kong, he did work out that his bassinet made an excellent playpen and was generally quite happy to sit up (a new milestone for him!) and play with his toys. He also enjoyed plenty of cuddles and talking with hostesses.

The next flight to London went far better and he slept for 10 of the 12 hours which was fantastic for Heather and myself who were able to eat meals at the same time as well as get some sleep. On arriving in London on Tuesday morning, we caught up with Heather's cousin Bev at the airport for a quick coffee and more smiles and cuddles, before picking up our car for the two hour drive to Bexhill. There was a wonderful welcoming party of Heather's Dad Colin and her step-mum Margie waiting for us at our Bed & Breakfast when we got there, bearing a much appreciated lunch of chicken and salad. It was Matthew's first meeting with his Pops, and a special bond was quickly formed! After a bit of a catch-up, the three of us went for an afternoon nap at the B&B. We didn't realise how tired we were and woke up in the dark - it was 10pm! We were starving so after a quick look around we found an Indian restaurant which did the trick.

On Wednesday morning Matthew decided he wasn't moving to UK time so was up nice and early at 4am! So I took him for a walk along the beach to keep him occupied while Heather slept for a bit longer. After a standard B&B continental followed by hot English Breakfast, we went around to Colin and Margie's house so that Matthew could have a play and a wander around their beautiful garden. It was at this point I started to feel rather ordinary and by that afternoon was off to bed to rest. As one friend stated, I made good use of the Bed in our Bed and Breakfast and unfortunately was not able to surface for another 5 days, knocked out by a virus/flu that I likely picked up on the flight from Hong Kong to London. I went to the doctor on Thursday and was prescribed some antibiotics but they took quite a while to start to make a difference. In the meantime, Matthew had a great time playing with Pops and Nanna Margie and had lots of smiles and laughs for them. Heather treated them to a very nice dinner at a nearby Italian restaurant on Thursday night, where they enjoyed what was turning out to be very balmy weather in Bexhill.

By Friday, Heather's sister Diane flew in from Perth for her three week holiday in Bexhill. The next day there was a big family lunch which included Heather's cousin Brendan, wife Fe and their three children. I spent the day in bed again!

Sunday morning was a beautiful morning, so Heather, Diane, Matthew and Pops went for an early morning walk along with the beach at Bexhill during low tide (7m tide!) while I stayed in bed again. Matthew loved being near the water and especially doing aeroplanes with Pops. Then, a bit later on, they all headed out for a big roast lunch at a nearby hotel. Matthew even had some roast potato and brocolli, a nice change from the food in sachets and jars which have had to become a convenient norm whilst travelling. Again, a lovely get-together which I was sorry to miss. By evening I was doing a bit better so the Heather, Matthew and I headed out for dinner at a little Turkish restaurant near the B&B - fantastic food and just what I needed given my last dinner was Fish and Chips on Wednesday night.

Monday was our last day in Bexhill, by which time I was up and about. As it was our final day, all seven of us had breakfast at the B&B that morning. The owners Brian and Jacky really looked after us especially with doing our many loads of washing. It was here that Heather and Diane gave their Dad his early 70th Birthday present - a trip out to Australia. Hopefully he can make before next March when he turns 70.

On a sad note, Matthew had developed a high fever overnight and had spent most of the early hours in his Mummy's arms, and Heather had started to get the inkling of a sore throat, so the three of us went back to the doctor and all got some antibiotics, and a second lot for me. Nothing like a family sharing the germs. Fortunately Diane was able to help us pack up which was very much appreciated given how much luggage we have (thanks to Matthew!). After the last quick goodbyes to Pops and Nanna Margie, we headed off on our drive back to Heathrow. We stayed at a hotel for the night before flying off for the next stage of our holiday the following morning - three weeks in France.