Well Monday was a superb day for us. Marion took us out to Mercedes world and organized a 1 hour driving experience for Sean with James as an excited passenger. We had an instructor on board who was just amazing with calm instructions suggestions and helpful techniques. So after a minute insuring the best seating settings, Sean was able to drive off in a 6.3 litre twin turbo V8 Amg slc. We covered 5 different courses including a circular skid pan, a straight line skid pan where you got up to speed then hit the brakes immediately before two cones and then swerve left and right, a dry straight line where you accelerate as fast as possible up to 70mph and then do full braking to a stop before hitting a barrier. Then there were two circuits. The first was very tight corners and not so much fun. The second circuit had one short straight and lots of corners. We were about to hit 110mph on the straight before some serious braking. I have never been in a car capable of accelerating or braking like this. It was an amazing experience.

In the afternoon we borrowed one of Sam and Marion's cars and drove to Ealing to visit Teva and Merryn. Nicola showed off her navigation skills, with the help of her iPhone and got us straight there no problems. Unfortunately our timing was off for Teva and Merryn with the Sky man installing, Merryn off at the bank and Teva trying to get everything sorted for a 6am drive to Paris the next morning. We collected a set of keys and headed back to Woking. As we neared Woking we decided it would be rude not to stop into a pub for a beer. The Cricketers was pLeasant on a sunny afternoon. 

We watched the Olympics for a while with Marion and once Sam returned from work we cooked steaks on the BBQ. It was rather nice to crawl into bed after a full day.

Wednesday was an early start for James and Meren because we were off to the Governor Generals breakfast at Kiwi house. We left Woking at 7am and the train had us into Waterloo station in 30 minutes. We then took the tube to Kings cross and walked the 400metres to Kiwi House. It's was really nice talking to other parents of cyclists and rowing and rellies of Brent Newdick the decathlete. We met Brent's mother in Delhi and she arrives in London in the next few days.

After that the day went downhill on a major way for James..... We went shopping. Actually sean and Nicola came into town with Marion and were working to restore the health of the UK economy. They both had a great deal of success and purchased some great clothes and shoes etc.

We then took the tube on the Bakerloo line to Waterloo station and a train back to Woking. We had an early pub meal and retired home to watch Olympic swimming on Tv.

Then we shot across to Madame Tussaudes. There were large queues of people outside and I was dreading the delays, but we went to a door where you purchase tickets for today and there was no queue. Sam S had done some research for us and printed out Two for One vouchers that required us to show our train tickets. Ended up saving us 60pounds absolutely wonderful. We all enjoyed the exhibits. It is constantly changing and a lot  different to the visit in 2007.

We then took the tube on the Bakerloo line to Waterloo station and a train back to Woking. We had an early pub meal and retired home to watch Olympic swimming on Tv.

Olympics time.

We left Auckland at midnight on Friday night. Singapore airlines flew us to Singapore in an uneventful,trip and a little bit of sleep was had by all. With a little shuffling of people and PPS club and Star Alliance gold cards we were all allowed into the Business class lounge for a shower. We got to see the lighting of the Olympic flame on TV. Soon enough the 2.5 hours were up and we were boarding the A380 for the flight to London. Ethan Mitchell's parent Jason and Sandra were on the same flight having overnighted in Singapore. It was my first flight on a A380 and I thought it not too bad. Of course the overall impression was improved by 7 seats for the 4 of us. Some impressive amounts of sleep gained on this leg. Arrival at Heathrow was fine, maybe 30 minutes queuing for immigration but our bags were through once we got there. They had television showing the Olympics so waiting was not a problem. We were met at the airport by Marion Smith, a friend of Merens from Girl Guide days. Marion brought us back to her lovely home in Woking. We all slept like logs on the first night. Nothing like sleeping on a plane to make you appreciate a real bed. The next day Marion took us to Windsor where the girls showed what they have been training 4 years for. Both have peaked for this event and managed to find lots of interesting shops and make several purchase. James and Sean naively thought we were there to see the castle. We then did a tour of the castle which was superb especially the audio commentary which gave lots of detail about each section. We started in brilliant sunshine and it was hot in the castle. Then there was thunder and then heavy rain. It was a great visit. On the way back to Woking we took a brief detour and drove through the grounds of Royal Holloway College, which is where Sam and I stayed in 2007 when following the Tour De France with Auckland Grammar School. Very beautiful old building. We even popped into the. Courtyard for a quick photo. Once back at Marion and Sams house we had a brief cup of tea and then walked into Woking for familiarization and wait for it......more shopping. Great success was had by Nicola with some clothes from Top shop. That night Sam and Marion had a BBQ with their neighbors Julian and Jill and daughter Esmay. A very pleasant evening with a few laughs and gentle ribbing. The Websters were wilting by 10pm so it was off to bed after watch a quick round up of the Olympics. Tomorrow we are planning to visit Mercedes world and Ealing to catch up with Teva Loos and Merryn Price, who were our neighbors in Auckland for many years.

Pre trip excitement

The excitement is building. A wet Sunday afternoon in Auckland, on Friday at midnight we fly to London for the Olympics. Into a English summer which appears similar to our current winter weather. Singapore airlines will whisk us from Auckland to London via Singapore arriving around 3:30pm on Saturday. Meren's friend Marion Castle has offered to pick us up and take us to their home. We are lucky enough to be staying with Marion and her husband in Woking for 6 days and then we will stay with our old neighbors Teva loos and Merryn Price. They have recently (this week) shifted from Paris to London. Time will fly, I will update more once we get underway