Bye Bye to Blighty!

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Our journey begins; a return to Malaysia



We left home on Tuesday under unseasonal grey skies. Murcia airport is right by the sea on the Mar Menor, the ‘little sea’ next to the Mediterranean on the southern Costa Blanca. We have lived in this part of Spain for twenty years now and it is the first time we have seen white caps on dark grey/green waves on the Mar Menor; on the Med yes, but never before on the little sea. Despite this and a bumpy start, the journey to Heathrow was fine. One forgets how good BA short-haul flights are compared to the usual economy lines (more leg room and a food tray that is not in your lap!) We landed ten minutes early and the rucksacks came through quickly. A good start!



The weather here on the Hampshire/Berkshire border has been very mild this week, which has been a blessing since we have very few warm clothes with us. After a busy few weeks preparing to leave home for two months, it has been great to chill out, enjoy the verdant English countryside as well as lovely English pubs! A few damp muddy footpath walks across Pamber Common and in Pamber woods have tested out Viv’s new hiking boots which are now proven to be suitably waterproof and ready for the Bornean rainforest; John favours his old much-loved boots which are still up for the task.



On Friday we started taking the malaria tablets and collected some Malaysian ringgit ordered two days before from the local Sainsbury’ bank just for some “start off” cash, although we know that ATMs are easily available in Malaysia and we shall get a better rate there, it is nice to arrive with a small amount of cash to kick off with.



After a lengthy winter, spring has come at last to Hampshire. Saturday was glorious, 16 degrees of sunshine, so like many other people we headed for the coast. Dan drove us down to Chichester then on to West Wittering. It was a beautiful day in an historic city, followed by a walk along the huge sandy West Wittering beach; driving back over the South Downs as the sun was setting completed this memorable day.



So now it is Sunday and time to fly off to Malaysia. Our five day holiday in Hampshire has been great; “Bye bye Blighty! See you in six weeks’ time!”

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Photos

Magnolia blossom
Hampshire has a wonderful profusion of Magnolias in bloom

West Wittering
Lorna, Viv and Dan

Comments

[Eric veasey]

Borneo trip
Have a great time see you when you return xx

[Pensiongapper]

Hi Sue and Eric. Hope you re enjoying camping in Spain still. See you end of May xxx

[Sandy]

Hampshire
We popped over from Almeria to see husband's daughters and their families in Portsmouth area first 2 weeks in March.....it was cold, windy and it snowed!!!Glad Hampshire treated you better. Have a fabulous time, will enjoy travelling along with you

[Pensiongapper]

Thanks Sandy x

[Ann]

Good Luck and Enjoy
Pleased to read your e-mail this morning. I expect you are at Heathrow, or maybe already in the air, now. Lovely to see photos already with everybody looking so happy. Glad you've had a good few days in Hants. Love the nails, Viv. So 'Borneo Jungle Backpacker! Have a great time xx

[Pensiongapper]

Thanks Ann. Fly off this evening xx