Tonight is the eve of a return trip to the UK. On this occasion, my spouse will be accompanying me and the emphasis on this trip is to spend more time with my parents than previously.
One reason is that my Mum’s health hasn’t been great this year although I spoke to her last night and she sounded much better. In any case, her recent poor health can be remedied but it’s a matter of a consultation with both a qualified and experienced clinician that’s needed. This is something I shall be working on when I’m in the UK.
Now that I have lived in the US for over six years, it remains to be seen if the UK and especially London still feels like home. On past trips back, I have quickly adjusted to the faster pace of life of London. There’s also the unmistakable difference in pollution levels although this may be an unfair comparison because London is a capital city and Durham is a small American city with huge differences in population.
I shall receive a rude awakening on arrival in the UK because, to my disappointment, my direct flight these days, will arrive in Heathrow (LHR), the busiest airport in the world. However, my flight is scheduled to arrive before 7.00am! Let’s hope the flight over is uneventful and I get some shut eye.
Do I have any expectations about what I will find in the UK compared to my last visit (in 2007)? None really except I’m sure the Dollar is even weaker than last year.
So, the question is, is the UK still home? I don’t think so. One test is getting around central London from point to point without the use of an A to Z. I was very familiar with many parts of Zone 1. Will I get pangs of homesickness whilst in the UK? I don’t know. It’ll be interesting to note what triggers any homesickness. I shall have to report back.
And this one’s for Elvira.  Is London expensive? All indicators are that it is one of the most expensive cities in the world and I shall be taking notes. e.g. standing outside estate agents windows and looking at the price of homes, the cost of petrol, the price of cinema tickets, the cost of a pint. I wonder if there’ll be as many tourists in the city as last year.
Do I have any “musts” that have to be fulfilled whilst in the UK? Here’s a short list-
Eat fish and chips (and the other half wants to cap it at two meals for the entire trip )
Visit the British Museum
Drink draught bitter
See my brother (easier said than done)
See my best friends, R and C, at least twice.
Track down Optimus Prime and thump him. *
* Just joking! | 