After lots of hugs and licks (Stella kisses) a few teary phone calls and photo taking I left sunny California and headed East for Southern Spain www.benalmadena.com and our pet/house sitting assignment. Air New Zealand flight from LAX was brill in every way. Arrived Heathrow transferred by National Express to Gatwick, would be SO easy without three heavy pieces of luggage .... traveling light, what's that??
Luggage trolleys at LHR are free, Gatwick a pound coin?? Would you tell me exactly how many foreign travelers carry a pound coin, I didn't had forgotten all about this ridiculous charge. Wouldn't have been so bad if the locals I encountered had possessed a modicum of heart or helpfulness. Where was the pity for an old lady traveling alone, perhaps the bright side was I didn't look old:)
"Could you change a five pound note please?"
“Change machine inside”
“No don't have change”
"Could you possibly watch my bags while I go and get change?"
“Not supposed to watch others luggage!”
Roughly 15 people later struggled to get myself and bags safely inside the terminal, without the offending trolley!
Welcome to Britain, have a nice day!
Would I have acted differently to each of those "lovely" people, bet your life I would ...
"Here's a pound bring it back if you like, if not put one in the nearest charity box you find"
At Gatwick there was a family of nine, Mum, Dad and seven children youngest was one that day. The amount of luggage coming off the bus suggested more than a two week vacation.
“You look like you're moving house” I said,
“We are” was Dad's reply, “To New Zealand”
“You'll love it”
“I hope so”
To the Mum, “Are you going to the North or South Island?” desperately quizzical look followed,
“To Aukland, I think”
I guess a 24 hour flight with seven children to start a new life would leave anyone logistically challenged ..... I wished them good luck and boarded the bus one journey closer to starting my new Spanish house sitting adventure.
Luggage trolleys at LHR are free, Gatwick a pound coin?? Would you tell me exactly how many foreign travelers carry a pound coin, I didn't had forgotten all about this ridiculous charge. Wouldn't have been so bad if the locals I encountered had possessed a modicum of heart or helpfulness. Where was the pity for an old lady traveling alone, perhaps the bright side was I didn't look old:)
"Could you change a five pound note please?"
“Change machine inside”
“No don't have change”
"Could you possibly watch my bags while I go and get change?"
“Not supposed to watch others luggage!”
Roughly 15 people later struggled to get myself and bags safely inside the terminal, without the offending trolley!
Welcome to Britain, have a nice day!
Would I have acted differently to each of those "lovely" people, bet your life I would ...
"Here's a pound bring it back if you like, if not put one in the nearest charity box you find"
At Gatwick there was a family of nine, Mum, Dad and seven children youngest was one that day. The amount of luggage coming off the bus suggested more than a two week vacation.
“You look like you're moving house” I said,
“We are” was Dad's reply, “To New Zealand”
“You'll love it”
“I hope so”
To the Mum, “Are you going to the North or South Island?” desperately quizzical look followed,
“To Aukland, I think”
I guess a 24 hour flight with seven children to start a new life would leave anyone logistically challenged ..... I wished them good luck and boarded the bus one journey closer to starting my new Spanish house sitting adventure.
