I’m watching the countdown on the tv screen as to when we are likely to touch down in London. Breakfast was being served and that’s the best sign that we’re nearly there!
I pack up my stuff and head out of the plane and step on UK soil. I’m overwhelmed by emotion and find myself welling up with tears at this moment. It’s an incredible feeling to think this holiday is real! I’m here, I’m traveling solo and so ready for this time for myself. While I love my life back home, there’s nothing like traveling and enjoying new places and experiences!

Despite the long flight I’m feeling refreshed and excited and as I walk out to arrivals I see Ian and Paul, my gorgeous friends who will be hosting me for the next week.

They have coffee and big smiles as I run towards them. Massive hugs all round.
My dad is also coming over too so we quickly find our way to the next terminal along at Heathrow to find him. We locate him and then jump in the car for our journey to the English countryside.

As we drive out of Heathrow, the roads change the closer we get to Ian and Paul’s. We catch up on all the latest switch family and life as we make our way through highways and the on to narrow roads.
Ian shares the exciting news that he’ll be on the BBC commentating the day of the Royal Wedding. It’s amazing to be here for that once in a lifetime event. Ian is the CEO of an organization called Terrence Higgins Trust. (THT). Prince Harry is a huge supporter of this organization and its work with people living with HIV. A visit to THT was also the Royal couples first official event after their engagement so it was very cool to see our dear friend smiling and hosting this couple all over the press. So excited for him to be a part of this special piece of history.

As we arrive it’s clear that we’re well and truly out of the city as the one way roads wind all the way around the colorful countryside and through villages.
The house is your typical English cottage. Equipped with a gorgeous yard and plenty of sitting nooks. I get to meet Henry and George (very regal dog names), who are super excited to have us all arrive home.
The rooms have been set up with pride, all inclusive with towels and a bottle of water by the bed!

We enjoy a tour of the house and then sit down to some breakfast and a cup of tea. Ian has to work from home and Paul needs to go and do a bit of work too so it’s time to blog about my traveling day and then have a shower. We decided to head down to the local English pub for lunch today.
As we arrive we are greeted by a lovely lady who could bend over backwards any more for us. From what I could gather, there was a menu, but everything was negotiable. If you wanted it she could probably get it made.
So we took the menus and ordered a pint and went to sit outside.

This glorious day made my heart happy. What’s not to love about sitting in the sunshine with good food, good friends & good cider!
Paul and I kick on for a little bit as he has now returned home from work. We have a laugh catching up on stories and life. Ian and Paul are a gorgeous couple who when they’re together make me laugh so much. They are so in love and equally bicker like a couple of teenage school kids.

Paul and I decide to come home and have another drink only to be reminded by Ian that the dogs will need a walk. I’m more than happy to accompany Paul, as we load up George and Henry and head to a farmers field down the road.

After enough exercise, we head home and resume the position out the back patio till it’s time to prepare for dinner. Ian and Paul have collectively cooked us a lovely roast chicken, salad and potatoes.
Paul has a particular China/cutlery/glasses for each time of the day, so he’s set the table with the ‘night set’ and is flabbergasted when Ian has used a lunch time bowl for a bit of coleslaw. It’s so funny, but this commenced an instructional tour of where to find the right things for the right type of day. Below you will see the before and after, tell me if you can spot the difference, or if it’s better?

Hahahha! I’ve missed these two, and after dinner we retire to the lounge room with the fireplace now burning where I start to write. Only to literally drop my phone because I nodded off in the chair!
Time for bed, plans all set for tomorrow! Heading into London Town!