Departure

Well we've made it this far. We split the journey into bite-sized chunks, the first being only as far as Tewkesbury Garden Centre for coffee and cake. We were ready to go so we left! The next objective was the Magpie and Parrot, my old local in Reading. There were a couple of people I knew slightly but Carole the landlady was in Tenerife to escape the road works for a new link road - just like home! A couple came in to have a party for their dogs' second birthday, complete with cake and candles. We even sang Happy Birthday!
We stopped for a quick bite at a pub restaurant in Arborfield, which was heaving at 7pm. Not cheap but the scampi and chips and bangers and mash arrived in short order as requested and were first class.
We managed to take a couple of wrong turns on the way but did avoid the rush hour on M25/23 which was one 'priority' (assuming you can have more than one). We have the choice of two rooms in the hotel, one normal size and ones another enormous one through an open communication door - we picked the smaller one.
Tomorrow we have to decide how much time to allow for security checks. Advice ranges from four hours (web site) to two hours from the hotel receptionist. The flight is at 11:30 so not too much pressure.

Location:Sofitel Gatwick North