The last part of vacation!

---

Well folks, this is it for this trip. Tomorrow I'm on a big white Delta Airlines plane from Gatwick to JFK connecting to another smaller Delta plane to Ft. Lauderdale after going thru immigration and customs at JFK.

This 4th portion of the trip was a busy one. After taking the S Bahn out to Schoenefeld Airport, I waited for my EasyJet flight after watching the police chase down some guy who decided to run across the tarmac rather than simply board his RyanAir flight. Wierdly enough, the next day, I saw the Southampton police chase down a guy on the city streets and take him down as well. Wonder if they were related? My EasyJet ticket, btw, cost only about USD$24.00, but I had to pay about USD$35.00 in taxes !!!!! Not only did they charge me about $35.00 for having overweight luggage, but they charge for everything on board...including water! They even sell scratch off cards where you might win 100 UK Pounds!!!

Once we landed at Luton Airport, I then had to start the trek to Stuart's house...which involved waiting 45 minutes for a bus, then a 1.5 hrs ride to Heathrow airport, then another 1.5 hours wait, then another 1.5 hrs by bus to Southampton. I think I should have paid a bit more, flew directly to Heathrow then taken the train! Anyway, Stuart was there to meet me when the bus finally arrived.

Saturday morning, we had a great breakfast then drove to his friend's house in Twickinham, one of the London suburbs. After a nice home cooked dinner, we went by bus and train and underground to do part of the London party scene. Of course we were too late to make the easy connections return so after a late train, we were dropped in some small town outside of London waiting for a connecting bus that never came. Fortunately, we found the number for a taxi and finished the journey back around 3 AM! Next morning, after brunch, we went back into daytime London by car, saw a few sights and again visited a few pubs. We finally got back to Southampton around 10:00 PM after a nice dinner and the long, traffic filled drive back. Of course, dummy moi forgot to pack the camera for that overnight in London. Monday was simply a day of rest for me and I didn't envy Stuart having to go to work!!!!!

Tuesday morning, Stuart dropped me off at the train station where I cought a 1.5 hr train to Brighton, which is a party city on the English Channel. That was about $36.00 rnd trip. Most everyone has seen pics of the Royal Pavillion so I set that as my morning tour goal. What a fantastic place!!! It was built by the son of George III (the kingwho lost the American colonies) as his personal play palace and tho somewhat Arabic looking on the outside, it is quite Chinese-zee on the inside. The dining hall alone is worth the price of admission!!!!! Not more than a 10 minute walk away is Brighton Pier with all of its activities. Here I bought a box of fish and chips for about 4.50 UK Pounds ($9.00) and sat on an outside bench to devour it same as the local folks. Later, I went to one part of town that is mostly all punks and hippies, then to another that was very trendy with the 30 somethings! The train trip back took over two hours cause we stopped at every possible little town along the track!!!!!!

Today, a final shopping trip into town....about a 15 minute walk. Finally found a place where I got Shepards Pie, so that along with the Fish and Chips and Bangers and Mash from Monday, satisfied my need for typical English food.

So, thats it. Just about a month's journey. An overweight suitcase. Some neat pics and memories. If I post anything else from this trip, it will be cause of some unusual event!!!!!

Thanks for reading!!!!
Bob

---

Photos

Shoenefeld take-down
don't thinkthey were too gentle

EasyJet plane
Be ready to pay for everything

Royal Pavillion at Brighton
What a fantastic place

Brighton Pier
get your traditionalfish and chips!

cafe society lunch time
an area called The Lanes in Brighton

A bar sign
nuff said !!!!

Stuart's House
a short walk to center of Southampton