Friday 1 July

Early start with Dyann generously dropping us at Southgate Station where we caught the tube to Notting Hill gate and met Ben. We went for a coffee at Toms and Katy got a nice big orange juice to try and battle her cold which is rapidly shooting her down.

We me-ambled through the food markets; I had a scrumptious and fresh chocolate and cream doughnut for lunch, followed by a Parmesan, semi-sun dried and rocket baguette. We laughed our way thought the flea market, enjoying the potential for am amazing dress-up box coming from a number of items we found.

Couldn’t not visit the blue door from the movie Notting Hill. I joined a group of middle aged women also on the famous blue door tour (its actually a black door now as the owners didn’t like the publicity and crowds of people taking a photo of it!). Also visited the famous travel book shop. Will now have to watch the movie to see how correct it really was made out to be in the markets and location!

Caught the tube back to the Rowes where I attempted to post my broken cricket bat but failed miserably. Packed and said good byes to the NZ girls and Steve and Dyann. They out did any hotel in London in terms of service, food, hospitality an company. I really savored the last ‘hug’ from a mother figure I’ll get for the next 8 months.

Met a fellow traveler on the train to Gatwick airport who shared some great stories from his adventures in Asia and South America. I look forward to being able to entertain 3 young people for 40 minutes with thrilling and some-what life threatening stories of travels one day.

The flight to Ibiza is filled with a collective mix of queers, young testosterone men who are very drunk and 3 Australians who are tired and can’t believe the way some people carry on and act on the plane! Ben keeps pulling faces of pure anger that outdoes his pain when he spills salad dressing on his short and top while eating lunch (Camden markets).

Need to land, need to sleep, need to get some sun and swim in some warm clear water!