Arrival--Sunday, July 6th

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My flight was at 10:25pm from IAH to Heathrow airport. I'm not big on the international flights just because they take so long and (since I'm cheap) the seats are so darned close together. Oh well. I chose the later flight with the hope of me getting some sleep.
I ran early Saturday and was tired from that. Actually, I had maintained a fairly busy day prior to my departure (run, Katy Fit sign up, packing, birthday dinner party, airport) so I hoped I would be so tired that I just passed out.
When I checked in I had good luck. I checked the seat assignments and was able to score two seats


for myself. That was the only good luck I had. After take off it was just one big mess. I had scored a first class blanket and pillow (thanks to the girl in front of me as we boarded) and, since the movie choices were of no interest to me, I was stretched out across the seats with my personal pillow piled on top of the 1st class pillow. I was warm because I had the blanket wrapped around me and I started to drift off. Suddenly I felt myself falling. The flight attendant (sitting in the seat behind me--the area was curtained off so they could sleep) had pulled the 1st class pillow out from under me! I turned around and asked for my pillow back. She told me it belonged to the other flight attendant. Liar!!!! I told her that a girl had handed it to me as we boarded and that I would like it back since she pulled it out from under me (literally). She ignored me. A few minutes later she walked up with an economy class pillow and blanket. She never apologized for pulling it out from under me. Believe me--that will pointed out in my complaint letter to Continental.

I digress...

I arrived in London and was promptly greeted by Richard and Karen. The weather was drizzly and cold. Since it really wasn't raining, I couldn't complain. What was nice was the temperature change. Coming from 90+ degree weather, I really appreciated the 60+ degree weather.

We immediately drove to a cute little suburb and took a canal cruise. We were in a long, skinny boat. Luckily there were lots of windows and a roof because it rained the entire time we cruised.
The scenery was lovely--lots of ducks and gorgeous flowers--along the canal. I wish I knew the name of the town but I don't. I just know it was exit #17 from the highway (I navigated a little).

Richard & Karen live in Ickenham. No one seems to know this little town. While it isn't a major metropolitan place, it certainly isn't something to be overlooked. It is situated 18 or so miles northwest of London. It is near Ruislip (pronounced 'rye slip' or 'rice lip'). There is at least one tube (subway) stop in Ruislip. One is just around the corner from Richard & Karen's house.

So, we arrived at Richard & Karen's home in Ickenham and Karen provided some yummy dinner. We watched the finals of Wimbledon and I went to bed at the respectable hour of 9:45pm. Richard and I had agreed to get up at 5am and have a look at part of the footpaths I could run.