‘We’re here!’ (and now most of our bags are as well – but more of that later)
6.00 pm (11th) Scotland time and we all feel like we’ve been awake for ages.
Our flights were OK, Brisbane – Singapore, uneventful, but good. ‘Marge ‘proved herself a valuable asset by assisting the pilot (who happened to be Ian Merriman, an All Saints parent) through the trickier sections of the flight. (see the attached photos)The flight from Singapore to London however was a little ‘different’. During the night (most of it was in darkness as we chased the moon), we experienced some turbulence (I was aware of some, thankfully once again we had Marge to take control) and as a result, the plane used 3 tonnes of extra fuel. In addition to that, Heathrow was experiencing early morning fog which meant a lengthy ‘holding pattern’ for arriving flights, for which (in our Captain’s opinion) we did not have enough fuel. This meant a stop in Frankfurt to refuel. So, at no extra cost, we have given the boys a look at Germany, albeit from the confines of our 747!
This, of course, added a couple hours to the journey and the knock-on from that was we missed our connecting flight from Heathrow to Edinburgh. We were automatically booked on to the next available flight and our luggage would be transferred on to that flight. Oh, how I am kicking myself for saying there would be no ‘lost luggage’ going through Terminal 5. When we arrived in Edinburgh (2.45 pm Local), there were only 4 bags on the carousel. Those English can’t get anything right. What followed was an interesting afternoon in the small village of North Berwick at closing time attempting to purchase team toiletries and underwear. When the only shop open sold exclusively women’s underwear we started to think that this truly was going to be a tour of ‘new’ experiences. Thankfully everyone was looked after and happily bedded down with billet families on the Wednesday night. We have already heard stories of breakfasts in bed, roasts and even a dinner of freshly hunted deer with one family.
Today, (Thursday) after many heated discussions with British Airways we are now only missing three bags, but the boys are looking after each other, so no one has yet had to face the Scottish spring nude or cold. Hopefully tomorrow will see us with all of our luggage. The day was spent sightseeing in North Berwick and included a trip to outskirts of Edinburgh for some ten pin bowling, pool and shopping. (There are some interesting garments coming home!)
This afternoon the boys ran the air miles out and experienced some proper Scottish Rugby conditions as we trained in the cold, drizzly rain and sticky mud. The boys trained well and are looking forward to their first games tomorrow against North Berwick High School and a visiting American Club, Chuckanut Bay . (Yes, that is their real name) Tonight all the billet families are taking the boys out to a Chinese dinner together. Our next blog will detail the results of tomorrow’s games.
As promised, our mobile number (emergencies only please) is 07876616015.
6.00 pm (11th) Scotland time and we all feel like we’ve been awake for ages.
Our flights were OK, Brisbane – Singapore, uneventful, but good. ‘Marge ‘proved herself a valuable asset by assisting the pilot (who happened to be Ian Merriman, an All Saints parent) through the trickier sections of the flight. (see the attached photos)The flight from Singapore to London however was a little ‘different’. During the night (most of it was in darkness as we chased the moon), we experienced some turbulence (I was aware of some, thankfully once again we had Marge to take control) and as a result, the plane used 3 tonnes of extra fuel. In addition to that, Heathrow was experiencing early morning fog which meant a lengthy ‘holding pattern’ for arriving flights, for which (in our Captain’s opinion) we did not have enough fuel. This meant a stop in Frankfurt to refuel. So, at no extra cost, we have given the boys a look at Germany, albeit from the confines of our 747!
This, of course, added a couple hours to the journey and the knock-on from that was we missed our connecting flight from Heathrow to Edinburgh. We were automatically booked on to the next available flight and our luggage would be transferred on to that flight. Oh, how I am kicking myself for saying there would be no ‘lost luggage’ going through Terminal 5. When we arrived in Edinburgh (2.45 pm Local), there were only 4 bags on the carousel. Those English can’t get anything right. What followed was an interesting afternoon in the small village of North Berwick at closing time attempting to purchase team toiletries and underwear. When the only shop open sold exclusively women’s underwear we started to think that this truly was going to be a tour of ‘new’ experiences. Thankfully everyone was looked after and happily bedded down with billet families on the Wednesday night. We have already heard stories of breakfasts in bed, roasts and even a dinner of freshly hunted deer with one family.
Today, (Thursday) after many heated discussions with British Airways we are now only missing three bags, but the boys are looking after each other, so no one has yet had to face the Scottish spring nude or cold. Hopefully tomorrow will see us with all of our luggage. The day was spent sightseeing in North Berwick and included a trip to outskirts of Edinburgh for some ten pin bowling, pool and shopping. (There are some interesting garments coming home!)
This afternoon the boys ran the air miles out and experienced some proper Scottish Rugby conditions as we trained in the cold, drizzly rain and sticky mud. The boys trained well and are looking forward to their first games tomorrow against North Berwick High School and a visiting American Club, Chuckanut Bay . (Yes, that is their real name) Tonight all the billet families are taking the boys out to a Chinese dinner together. Our next blog will detail the results of tomorrow’s games.
As promised, our mobile number (emergencies only please) is 07876616015.
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