"That's what I'm talking about!"

Well, I made it. I'm currently sitting at Vince and Kathy's computer in Powys, Wales after a VERY long journey. Thankfully, the weather only provided minimal damage-- Virginia Beach was only rainy, but DC had snow showers which made de-icing necessary... which meant we had to get not only in line for takeoff, but in another line prior to de-ice... Which added 2 1/2 hours to our takeoff time.

I sat in a row of 5 seats, but only 2 other people occupied the row-- an Irish clean-freak who felt it necessary to keep things off the floor and fold her blanket over and over and over, and rearrange our extra pillows in the empty seat between her and me. On my other side, I had a great conversation with a self-employed South African agrarian businessman/scientist who is 1 year away from becoming an American citizen (and he can hardly wait). A terrific conversationalist who made waiting the extra 2 1/2 hours a little easier to take.

The in-flight entertainment had an audio channel featuring Jefferson Airplane and 60's psychedelic music, which was obviously put together by someone who knew their stuff! They even featured the 13 Floor Elevators and the Blues Magoos. Well done!

Unfortunately, when we approached Heathrow, we had to fly around in circles to find a slot to land, adding about another 1/2 hour to the journey.

Got my stuff, got on the tube, and traveled up to Euston station and took a train up to Birmingham where I met Vince and Kathy (after further delays on the train). I should have arrived around 1pm, and it was closer to 5. Oh well, I'm on vacation; I wasn't bothered. I was just glad to be here.

We went to dinner in Birmingham's town center at Bella Italia, which I had one of the most scrumptuous pizzas I've ever had in my life: duck pizza in a plum base sauce! Yummy! It was wonderful! This with a small glass of Primitivo something or other red wine tasted wonderful after not having eaten since the small snack they give you for breakfast on the plane around 8am.

Got in the car and drove 2 hours to Vince and Kathy's house, with a much-needed kip (nap) in the back seat. Back home, and I'm on my 2nd cup of tea. I've definitely been trained to crave the stuff on these shores. It's a little colder over here, so tea really warms the heart.

Vince had received an Instant Message from an old mutual friend (John) who sent me his greetings.

Ah yes. I'm feeling quite at home.

By the way, the reason the header is called "That's what I'm talking about" is because it seemed that whenever I passed by someone on a cell phone in Dulles Airport, the person holding the phone would say that just as I passed. A strange phenomenon to notice!

TTFN
D.