London, United Kingdom – 15-20 October 2023

I actually can't believe I'm back in Hong Kong airport AGAIN (on Saturday 14 October 2023)!  I was only here last Friday night (when I arrived back from a work trip to Singapore).  This time I'm off to London for a week's work.

The views of London on Sunday 15 October 2023 make the early wake-up time bearable. I was not looking forward to the 6 degrees though....it will definitely be a shock to the system. 

 

The bags seem to take forever to come out.  A friend I used to work with in 2008 was sitting behind me on the plane so that helped pass the time. This is the second long-haul flight I've taken this year where I've known the person sitting in the row behind me.

I decide to take the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station, rather than a taxi / uber from the airport.  Last year when I did that it took 1.5 hours to get to the hotel.  Thankfully on arrival at Paddington Station I only have a couple of minutes waiting for my Uber.

Of course my room wasn't ready / the hotel wouldn't let me check in.  I was able to have a shower though at the spa which helped.

Ange and I had arranged to meet at Richmond Station.  As I walked to the bus I picked up a coffee.  Helped to keep my hands warm as well as walk me up a bit.  

I was able to get the last seat in the front row of the bus.  My favourite place to sit on a bus.  Oooh London, you are amazing.

We enjoy a walk along the river along with half of London (who were out enjoying the beautiful sunshine), before going back to Ange's house for the rest of the day.

Starting to fade I decide it was time to head back to the hotel.  Plus I wanted to get back before it got dark and too cold for me.

I was lucky to get a seat at the front of the bus again (from Waterloo Station back to the hotel).

 

For dinner, I went with a recommendation from the Hotel - a Spanish restaurant.

Monday 16 October it's off to work I go.....before then though I enjoy a plateful of fresh raspberries.  YUM.

Monday and Tuesday nights I caught up with friends for drinks / dinner.  Wednesday and Thursday nights I had work events. Before I knew it, I was heading back to Heathrow Airport to leave the country.  Stockholm, Sweden here I come!