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Nicole SumptonNicole Sumpton
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  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK
    Day 35

    Back in Brisbane

    May 31, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 5 °C

    Nik and I are back in Brisbane after 4 and a half weeks away!! What a amazing trip!! During the 14 hour trip back from Dubai to Brisbane, I binged watched series 1 of Mayfair Witches, found the history channel, found a new reality cooking show with Gordon Ramsay that I'm now invested in and I'm so glad to be home.

    I've packed all my stuff away, one load of washing is on the line and another load in the wash now. I feel accomplished but oh so tired!!

    Trev and Vicky met us at arrivals and it was so good to see them and of course I bawled! Aijā went to his new home with Vicky and I miss him already!!

    I'm trying to hold out for sleep until tonight but it's not looking good!! Oh well!!

    It was a fantastic trip, UK was brilliant and so were we!! Onto planning the next trip!! Hahahaha!!

    Nik - The flight home was long. I didn't think I slept at all but Suzie said I did doze off at one point. I watched the last few Harry Potter movies on the way back. The flight crew on both legs home were not great. On the way to the UK they were great though, so I don't know what it was.

    Suzie said she spoke to someone on the plane that said they lost an item on the way through security, just the same way I didn on the way over. There is a scam going on there.

    So wonderful to hug the boys, be in our home, though it also feels strange to be back here too.

    And that is the end of the trip I guess. What an epic journey for my first trip overseas.
    - I've stood in the presence of structures so old the mind boggles.
    - I've walked in the steps of historical people and wondered at their lives. I've admired their strength to fight for what they believe in and been horrified at the cruelty humans have shown their fellows. - And I partied at the biggest, most extravagant party of the year.

    I've done and seen things that in all honesty, I never thought I would. Those places, those memories are a part of me now and I am so very grateful to have the privilege to have this experience.

    It's true what they say how travel changes you. 🛫🌏🛬    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK
    Day 34

    Dubai to Brisbane

    May 30, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Suzie - What I'm about to write is my experience only. I do not speak for Nik or anyone else's experience in the UAE or Dubai.

    I may edit this later, but I really don't like Dubai. This morning I've been spoken to disgustingly, yelled at, herded into passport control and all Nik wants to do is hold my hand and all I want to do is cry.

    The 'smart' gates here didn't read my passport properly even after I took off my glasses and this guy was yelling at me, telling me 'it's not working for you' to which I replied 'obviously' and told me to go 'over there'. I was starting to get upset at this point and asked where 'over there' was. I may have muttered how much I don't like this country and he started yelling at me again 'What did you say? What did you say?'. I eventually got through, found Nik who had gone ahead, then to security which beeped at me due to my bracelets and then to gate A22. I remember this gate - I went from here to Dublin 5 years ago; it's right opposite the smoking lounge as if I didn't feel sick enough already.

    At this point, I am never flying Emirates again. I am never stopping off in Dubai again. I'm sick and tired. And done.

    Nik - Took me forever to get to sleep after such a late dinner last night and how on edge I was after our ordeal making our way through the airport yesterday. I did manage to get 3 or 4 hours sleep through.

    Then came the ordeal back to the airport. More of the same, though it was a faster experience than our arrival here, even with Suzie's issue getting through security.

    Unfortunately the gate we have to wait at (A22) is directly opposite a smoking room. The smoke is wafting out as the doors open and close. No doubt my hair and clothes will stink of tobacco for the flight home. Nice. 🤮)

    We're both on edge. Uncomfortable in a place which, to me at least, seems unfriendly to foreign women. (Or is it just foreign women traveling without a male? Not sure to be honest.) All I want to do is reach out and take Suzie's hand. Have that connection between us to reassure us both.

    (And I say all that and then I wonder if I'm the one in the wrong. If it's my prejudice and preconceived ideas coming through. And then I feel bad. But at the end of the day, I'm stressed and uncomfortable.

    It's a sour note to end our holiday on.

    Suzie's gone to get some reflexology done. Hope it makes her feel better. I might do the same once we get home. Help to finish our break off on a better note.    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK
    Day 33

    London to Dubai

    May 29, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Suzie - We caught the 10.05 am from London Gatwick to Dubai International, plane got away late, cabin crew weren't very nice and we got into Dubai later than expected.

    After going through immigration, having my passport checked, asking several times where we needed to go for the shuttle and getting the run around, we finally exited where we were meant to be...at 9.30pm...into 35° heat. Oh my gods...

    Our shuttle bus finally arrived and took us to our hotel nearby (Holiday Inn Express Dubai) and we checked in.

    After a shower and something to eat, I feel a bit better.

    Nik - The flight from London left a bit late, which of cause meant our arrival in Dubai was later than expected. The flight crew on the way to London were lovely. No complaints. But the flight crew from London to Dubai I found to be on the rude side. They seemed trust if I asked for a cup of tea

    Being in Dubai...this was always the part of the trip I was dreading.

    When we originally booked the trip it was booked for a 7 hour layover in Dubai. Seven hours is not ideal, but I figured that we'd just hang around the airport and suck it up for the sake of our trip and...well, Eurovision.

    Then we got an email from Emirates with change of flight details. It would now be a 15 hour layover. Way too long to just hang around the airport after a 7 hour flight from London and a further 14 hours to Brisbane.

    Suzie tried to change our flights so we wouldn't have to be here as long, but the only option to allow for that was to leave London a day earlier. It was not ideal, especially as we had already planned, booked and paid for various accommodations. So we opted for a night in a hotel (Holiday Inn Dubai) across from the airport with a free 24 hour shuttle. It would mean a shower and a bed for a few hours. Recoup before the last long leg home.

    On arrival from London we were lost. Trying to find where we had to be to get the shuttle. We asked for directions several times. I lost count how many to be honest. One person told us through security and to door three. We get through security (which was at least a better experience than when we were doing Dubai to London) and had to ask again because we couldn't find door three to save ourselves. Then we asked someone else and we're in the wrong spot...up a level. We go there, ask someone else....no it's across this area. It just went on and on and to be honest, all but one of the people (men) we spoke to seemed put out that we had asked. We found all but one of them quite rude.

    We eventually found the shuttle stop. Waiting out in the heat (35°c at 9:30pm). We had one guy (a driver I think from a different hotel) ask what we were waiting for, in a rough, rude manner) then he hurried off when he found out we were not going to his hotel. Later, another guy (I think another shuttle guy) began to chat to us and we actually had a good chat to him. I began to relax a little before the shuttle arrived.

    We got to the hotel to book in. It was about 10:15pm at this point. We were asked if we wanted to book in for the buffet dinner. We agreed as we hadn't eaten, and paid. It was only after we paid for it that we were told it was only open for another 30 minutes. So we had to scarf our food rather quickly. I wasn't happy about that but I will say the Dahl curry, rice and salad I had was quite tasty.

    Then we found our room. (What a rabbit warren the hotel was.). It feels good to be away from people who seemed entirely too rude. The room and bed ate very comfortable. The shower was nice too.

    I can't sleep. I' m on edge.    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK
    Day 32

    London Gatwick Airport

    May 28, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Suzie - Chilling out in the new digs!!. Well, only for the night! I highly recommend this before a flight 😀😀😀

    And purple lights!. 24 hour Mark and Spencer's downstairs!!! 💜💜💜💜💜

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK
    Day 32

    Back to London

    May 28, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Suzie - I'm absolutely shattered!!! The plan was to go to Brighton this afternoon but after the day we've had, I will have to go next time.

    Our train was cancelled from York, so we had to get on a 4 carriage train instead of the 9 carriage one which arrived later than expected. All these people were waiting to go to London Kings Cross station; it was a mess, bags and people everywhere on the train, 4 working toilets for everyone, me next to the toilet thankfully on a fold down seat with Nik on a similar seat over the other side of the train.

    We got to London Kings Cross almost an hour after the scheduled time, the lift was broken down to the tube platform, went from there to Victoria Station, took at least 30 mins to get up the lifts to get to the Gatwick Express platform, we stood the whole way to the airport and had to ask a few times how to get to our hotel (Bloc Hotel), which is conveniently located inside the airport. But we are here and resting and for that I'm grateful!!

    Our Dubai hotel is across the road from Dubai International, so hopefully the shuttle will be easy to find! Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a room in a similarly located hotel, but you get that!!    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK
    Day 31

    River Ouse Boat Trip

    May 27, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Suzie - What a lovely way to round out our holiday!!!

    Nik - A cruise along the Ouse as a final farewell to York. I think York has been my favourite town on this trip. (With Chester being a close second.). So much history. I wish we had the time to visit the Jorvik Viking Centre too but we can't do everything. If I ever make it back to this part of the world again though...

    It's been a bright an sunny day. This little Aussie has found it quite amusing to see the locals strip off as they try to catch some sun...and some sunburn...pleased with themselves when their friends tell them they are starting to 'pink up bit'. Perhaps we should have stopped to sing them the Slip Slop Slap song. 🤣    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK
    Day 31

    York Castle Museum

    May 27, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Suzie - This museum is the history of Yorkshire and was the brainchild of Dr John Kirk of Pickering, Yorkshire who wanted to preserve the vanishing ways of life, especially rural life. Dr Kirk was a collector and he gifted his collection to the City of York in 1935 when it outgrew it's previous home.

    Dr Kirk's collection even allowed for a recreation of a full scale Victorian Street of York inside the museum and it was named Kirkgate. This street has the sights, sounds and smells included and it's wonderful! Visitors can even go into the stores and try on hats, obtain goods and buy sweets!

    A new exhibition opened today celebrating the rich history of the York Gypsy and Traveller Community to raise awareness and understanding of Gypsies and Travellers family groups through photography, visual art and the spoken word. It was fantastic and very informative.

    There was also a permanent exhibition on how the First World War affected Yorkshire and her people. There was even a recreation of a trench from the war.

    The museum opened on 23 April 1938 and as mentioned before, is on the site of York Castle commissioned by William the Conqueror. A prison was also built on the site in the 18th century and it was here that Dick Turpin was housed before he was hanged in 1739.

    Nik - This place was awesome and so very detailed. Of particular interest was the recreation of a York Street, complete with shop fronts, horse and carriage and ambient sounds.    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK
    Day 31

    Last Full Day in York

    May 27, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Suzie - Well, all good things must come to an end, but you can bet I will be back to my beloved York when I can.

    Today, we went to the York Castle Museum, had lunch at The Golden Fleece pub (did you know that there are 125 pubs in York?!), went for a boat cruise along the River Ouse, had ice cream in the park and we have now collapsed with sheer exhaustion in our room. I'm so tired! This sun is so bright and hot and I don't know how English people can be out in it! But they are, in their droves!!!!

    Tomorrow it's London for the afternoon and night, catch the 10.05am flight from Gatwick to Dubai the next day, spend 14.5 hours in Dubai before coming back to Brisbane.

    We have dug really deep on this trip and I'm so proud of Nik and I,- we said we could and we almost have finished this epic journey that's taken us through history, to Eurovision, more history, fun, learning and teaching. Travel is character building and while I'm sad I have to leave the land of my ancestors , I know I will be back - perhaps one day to stay.

    I'm looking forward to seeing my family and friends, my own bed and starting the savings journey again for the next trip!!    Read more

  • Suzie and Nik Do The UK
    1111
    Day 30

    The York City Walls

    May 26, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    We travelled between Bootham and Monk Bar on the walls and saw a gray squirrel!!

    Bootham and Monk Bars are two of the four main entries into the Roman Fortress there have been gates here since AD 71. Bootham Bar is getting some work done underneath it at the minute but it's still my favourite Bar into York. Bar means 'gateway:.

    Bootham and Micklegate Bars both displayed the decapitated heads of those executed for treason.

    The Walls were built following original Roman walls, built up in the mediaeval period and the Victorians created the walkway.    Read more

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