Planes, Trains and Automobiles

I had a great flight from Auckland through to Vancouver, we arrived 45 mins early, which gave me around 6 hours at Vancouver airport.  The airport is still one of my favourites, but the aftermath of the pandemic are felt everywhere.  I had noticed at Auckland airport most shops were closed, or totally empty.  Vancouver wasn't much different.  A few more high class stores, but Gucci was no longer, all boarded up just the sign above the door, Mike will be thinking just as well.  It was 1.30pm Vancouver time on a Friday Burberry and Salvatore Ferragamo was closed.  The food court only had 3 places open, most were either closed or empty.  Mike's favourite was there, so a bit of A&W sounded like a good way to pass an hour.

A few calls to family to give updates, time to wonder around and stretch the legs, found a couple of kiwi products in the Relay

with 3 hours to go, I sat for a few hours at our departure gate watching a few domestic flight come and go, KLM arrive, only 3 international flights left before we did, amazing how different it feels in this big airport but very few people.  It was a nice afternoon to relax, hey I'm on holiday lets make the most of it

Onto London, then Norwich

9.5 hour flight through to London, completely full in all classes. I had never flown Air Canada before, it wasn't what I expected.  Like a lot of airlines I am guessing they are struggling, and making cuts where possible.  Unfortunately  both my meals were still frozen.  During the night there was not drink service and the back gallery was closed overnight, we only had one glass of water during the flight. 

Heathrow moved pretty fast through the eGate system, one bonus to them not being in the EU anymore is that commonwealth countries can now use their eGates for entering the UK. I did have an hour and a half wait for my luggage.  I was beginning to wonder if it had been left in Auckland, it seems like the start of the trip was continuing, but no it finally came off the conveyor belt, a little repack of the suitcase to fit the new laptop, and off to find the train

Train Time

Down to the Heathrow Express, onto Paddington, I was hoping that maybe the Elizabeth Line would be open, so I could go Heathrow to Liverpool Street Station, but no (apparently opening on the Queens birthday).  Change over at Paddington to the Hammersmith Line then off a Liverpool Street Station.  it's now 2.25pm and there is a train to Norwich at 2.30pm.  Luckily I remembered that the train goes from platform 9, the guy showed me where to get my ticket and with 2 mins to spare I was on the Norwich train...score, now I need a drink ASAP.

The scenery once out of London was beautiful, and how I have missed train travel in the UK. 

I arrived in Norwich at 4.20pm, headed out of the train station for a Taxi and arrived at Mums by 5pm.   Motorhome time.  James with the motorhome were still at mums so he took me through all I needed to know and then it was time to sit and say hello to Mum for the rest of the night.  Made it.....Wow what a trip 38 hours end to end.