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Day 7

My time in France has come to an end and I depart at Gare du Nord in comfort - on the Eurostar! Spare a thought for the crew who had to drive back to Calais and board the Eurotunnel again. A beautiful station building (although severely under construction again) and I'm getting used to the non-smiling, face talking facing at Passport Control. If I had £1 for every time I had to fill in a Landing Card, I'd be rich!


We disembarked at Ashford International and rode the coach back to Imber Court to help with the last of the bike collections and pack up. I heard the radio playing for the first time in a week! By 16h30 we were finally on our way 'home' - I'm kindly being hosted by Dave and Terri, my generous colleague and her husband.

But there was no time to rest yet - the Weber's had arrived in London and were waiting at the Wilcox's for me to arrive so that we could all tuck into the final roast dinner at 135A Windmill Crescent. I boarded a train from Clapham Junction to East Croydon station as fast as I could - I guess not everything has to change, as I found this route quite familiar. After 12 years (and seeing them move in), I was here to also see them move out - rightly pointed out by Uncle Neil himself!


Dinner was delicious. Seeing family after a hard week of work was a soothing balm for my aching body and longing heart. I wished time would stand still for just a bit.



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