The Journey

Our usual Taxi man, Matthew, arrived promptly at 2.00 pm and then we swung past Waltham Abbey to pick Sue up who, by some sort of miracle, got in the Taxi without some sort of drama. The last time we travelled to the airport together she threw her suitcase down the stairs just before the taxi arrived and it exploded all over the hallway, after that she got in the taxi and her water leaked all over her spare underware and we had to dry her knickers in the Taxi on the way to the airport. When we got to the airport they weren't quite dry so she decided to dry them under the hand dryer in the ladies toilet! Why I travel with her I really don't know! 😳 🤔

When we arrived at Heathrow Terminal 2 we were very pleasantly surprised by the very beautiful new terminal building and after a very swift booking in procedure we found ourselves in the large, peaceful, uncrowned departure lounge. We decided to have a bite to eat in The Perfectionist Cafe and thoroughly enjoyed the food that we ordered. When I got on the plane I read an article in one of the inflight magazines about The Perfectionist Cafe and it turns out that it is Heston Blumenthal's new restaurant where his aim is to produce fantastic food ........ fast.  Job done Heston ✔️.

The South African Boeing B737 took off about ten minutes late but made up for lost time on the journey. So far we have met (chatted up) a South African who works with Helicopters and a very nice Steward who insisted on plying us with alcoholic drinks. Sue had four Gin and Tonics and I had four Amarulas; I asked for Amaretto but he didn't know what I was talking about so he asked if Amarulas would do. I said of course, not knowing what it was, and the South African Liqueur turned out to be very nice indeed. 🍹🍸

The plane's inflight entertainment was not very inspiring and the technology was dated and difficult to operate but I still managed to watch two films; Carol, about a lesbian relationship, with Cate Blanchet and Bree Larson in the main roles and really enjoyed it and The Hungergames, Mockingjay 2, with Jennifer Lawrence in the lead role and I quite enjoyed that too. 🎥 📽

At Johannesburg airport we changed planes and then headed for Livingstone and arrived at our destination more or less on time. The airport was called The Henry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport - try saying that when you are drunk.

When we arrived at our Hotel we were greeted by a group of African dancers so, obviously, Sue and I joined in. I managed to get some photos of her but she didn't get one of me - it's not good enough, I am going to have to train her up!!

We have just been shown to our very nice room in the Avani Resort Hotel and it is in the grounds of a wildlife park so we are hoping to see lots of animals roaming around later on. We are now preparing for an evening cruise on the Zambezi River but we are feeling a little weary because we have slept for only one hour over the past two days! 😴💤😴