BLIMEY, IT'S BACK TO BLIGHTY

HERE WE ARE BACK IN OLD BLIGHTY once again ... we flew here by British Airways and the word I can use to summarise the experience was ADEQUATE. Service and amenities were basic, food was just OK. They were not the cheapest airline nor were they the most expensive either, and they got us here safely and on time which was some 5am on Friday morning so not much to complain about there BUT I have to say have flown better airlines before.

The first thing about the UK is it's BLUDDY freezing! Ai yo, despite the fact they did have a good summer (yea thanks for constantly telling me that friends!), and that the sun does occasionally peep out from behind the massive grey clouds, during which time it does warm up slightly, overall it is cold, damp and dismal. It rained practically all afternoon the day we arrived, and in the evening it gets even worse, as temperatures plunge to 5 or 8C. I tell you, going to the loo is like sitting on a block of ice doing your business. Now I understand why people wear those jumpsuits with a panel at the back that you "undo" to go to the toilet ... LOL.

HOWEVER there are nice things about being back here. Like wot, you ask. Well as it was so early when we landed, we got to Surrey in record time as the M25, although fairly busy, was moving - it's not known as the "World's Biggest Car Park" for no reason! So we decided to drive by old favourite Tesco to check out if it was open and at 730am - it was, yay, hooray!

In we popped to get a few things ... hah! Ended up with 90 quids' worth of shopping including biscuits, wine and beer, bits and bobs and SIM cards for our Malaysian phones. They cost just 99p (RM4.80) with just 20p worth of time on it but there is a special offer on at the moment and if you top up (online, via sms or call them) you get 3x the value so if you top up 20 quid then you get 60 pounds in value. Worth it of course to a canny Penangite like MOI ...

After due formalities were over like greetings and "How ARE you?" and "How NICE to see you again" that kind of stuff, settling into bro-and-sis-in-law's place and giving out prezzies - the jumper, although a tad large, was admired with suitable oohing and aahing, as was my due ... ahem ... (joking lah), we set off again - this time to London itself, and the first ever Malaysia Night to be held in Trafalgar Square. But that's another story.

Suffice it to say that the trip up by British Rail was uneventful if expensive - something like 12 pounds for a return to Waterloo, and another fiver to get me to Charing Cross by Underground on the Bakerloo Line, which used to be the oldest and most knackered line with really dark and seedy old trains but is now modern and bright. I've always loved the way they advertise on the platforms.

Ahhh ... despite the cold and expense, it's GOOD to be back!