Australia to Mexico, via UK

Monday (29th January) We planned to go to Fremantle, a suburb of Perth on the coast. We first had to navigate the Perth train system and buy a ticket. After a failed attempt on electronic ticket machine, we spoke to someone at the information desk who informed us we needed to buy a family saver ticket, which gave us all day travel (bus & trains) for up to 7 people for $10 (£5.50). so we managed to buy the correct ticket, the next train in 3 mins, we got that train, everybody else in our carriage asking if the train was going to Fremantle. After a round of “hopefully, that’s where we are trying to go”, it was announced that the train was going to Fremantle.

One of the reasons for visiting Fremantle was Nic wanted to go to a Kathmandu store, as she’d been unable to get the correct size of a new T-shirt in the Perth store. We ended up buying the T-shirt, a pair of shorts each and a rucksack for Nic, an expensive visit (update – we did manage to get a tax rebate at the airport).

We then had a wander around Fremantle, which appeared to be very free spirited. A nice town.

Back in Perth, we decided to celebrate our last night in Perth, by heading out for a couple of early drinks, after a couple of beers/cider/alcoholic ginger beer we ended up in “Neon Palms” a cocktail bar! So had a Margarita and a Vodka Martini respectively! Thankfully it was still early, had dinner at the hotel.

Tuesday, we arranged a late checkout at the hotel, so after breakfast we went for a short walk to get some supplies for our flights. Then we had to pack, managing to get our new purchases in, and ditching a few items (old clothes, a knackered rucksack etc). An Uber to the airport, to start our three flights back to London Heathrow, via Singapore and Munich – the long way but the cheaper way!

The first flight was with Singapore Airlines, which was OK, the second leg was with Lufthansa, a less comfortable flight.

Wednesday morning (UK time) we landed in Heathrow, went to collect our bags, despite the screens telling us that all bags had been delivered, there was no sign of ours, which given our short transfer times in both Singapore and Munich, it was no surprise really. So Rog went off to report it, however finally our bags were delivered, so all good!

Then a train back up to York, luckily not a strike day.

Thursday to Tuesday – we spent time getting over jet lag, visiting friends & family, including visit to York, watching local rugby, and the obvious eating and drinking.

Wednesday, a little bit random but we ended up buying a car, which we had wanted to do in a couple of months time when we return to the UK, but we couldn’t pass up the deal. Luckily the dealer has agreed to store the car until we get back.

Thursday, we’d been packing and repacking all week for our next trip, 11 weeks in Central America, with hand luggage only!

Friday, a busy train back to London, checked into a Premier Inn, then met Nic’s cousin for Coffee and cake in Coal Drops Yard near Kings Cross station.

That morning we had managed to get last minute ‘rush’ tickets to see ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ (on TodayTix app – £25 for a £90 ticket). A classic Agatha Christie play, set in a courtroom and hosted in the old London Bough Council chamber in County Hall. Some great performances in an interesting venue.

Saturday, we wandered around London, managing to avoid the showers. We visited the National Portrait Gallery, which was very busy. After a quick walk around some of the famous Tudor Galleries, we found the ‘lunch room’, which as we discovered later is being newly trialled to give a space to sit and eat your own packed lunch. It was empty! We gave it a thumbs up when we were asked for feedback on our way out. Thanks to Nic’s mum for providing the makings of the picnic which lasted us 2 days !

Then a guided tour are the Palace of Westminster, a really interesting tour of the UK Parliament. All the interior is extremely ornate, and more spectacular close up.

We then met more family to watch the 2nd half of the England v Wales rugby. A lucky win for England.

Out for a couple of drinks and dinner, then collected our bags from the King’s Cross hotel then headed out to another Premier Inn at Heathrow Terminal 4.

Sunday, headed to Terminal 2 in good time as we couldn’t check in online, we couldn’t check in at the self check in either, so had to speak to someone. Despite AirCanada emailing a booking confirmation, we were informed that changes to the ‘ticket’, being different from a ‘booking’, had not been re-confirmed by the travel agent ??? Anyway after waiting for a call to be made to AirCanada head office, all was OK and we could check in.

Whilst waiting at the AirCanada desk, Nic was the saviour for someone who had left their phone in the car which had just dropped them off. Lending her phone so contact could be made and the car turned around to return the phone!

Got to the departure gate and our seats were changed.

Our flight was to Cancun via Toronto, we had a boarding cards for Toronto to Cancun, but they did not show seat numbers, so had to wait until Toronto to confirm seats.

So all in all an interesting process!

Arriving in Cancun we were met by a raft of taxi operatives. We had been trying to book an airport transfer with the hotel, unsuccessfully as it turned out! Which then led us to have to negotiate with the taxi operatives ( it is now about 2am in our body clocks!!). After a lot of discussion we got a 10 minute taxi ride for $50 (US). We leave you to imagine how impressed we were with this outcome !!!