Manila to the UK

On our way! Such a flying trip, 2 weeks from door to door, but so looking forward to probably a once-ever chance for Melissa and I and our girls to do something as special as this together – seeing Alex compete, shopping with Lara in Manila 😄, finding our way via planes, buses, trains and crazy taxi drivers...

Manila was an overnight stopover of giant flashing billboards, crowds and more crowds, a supermall (including ice rink) for easy eating after a long day's travel – but with people so friendly that we ended up in a full staff selfie. And the roads – crammed full of cars and buses and scooters and random courageous  pedestrians and the spectacular jeepneys overflowing with arms and legs and stopping wherever they want.

Now temporarily heading our separate ways – Melissa and Lara heading direct to Finland to meet up with Alex, and I filled in time with Paddington Bear waiting for my train to Exeter, where Bec and I will spend a couple of days before rejoining the Roberts trio on Monday (via Riga in Latvia).

Wonderful seeing Becci again after 4 months, and spending a lovely afternoon wandering Exeter and seeing what will eventually be her home turf once the visa comes through! Exeter cathedral was stunning, and the city itself quirky and lively.  

Off to explore Dartmoor and the coast today, more pics to follow!