Departure day finally dawned. Emily and I rode the bus to Tamachi then I put her in the carrier and we took the Yamanote to Tokyo station. We had to hang around quite a while for our Narita Express train to the airport as I had allowed too much time, but it was better than being in a flap. Emily was very good on the train and luckily we had a spare seat next to us so could spread out.
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I had sent our main luggage ahead via courier service so when we got there we first picked that up then headed for the Virgin check-in. I was hoping that as I was travelling on my own with a toddler I would be spared the queue but alas, no. We waited for nearly half an hour but Emily was very patient. Once unfettered by bags we went to the observation area to look at a few planes take off and land, and saw our plane parked below us.
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I watched a huge A380 lumber skyward at what seemed snail's pace and once more marvelled at aerodynamics.
We went through security and immigration fairly quickly, though I was fed up that I got to the immigration counter only to be reminded that I needed to fill in a re-entrant card for residents. I wish they would put up notices to that effect before you start queuing. Fortunately the officer let me go back to the desk without lining up again. We spoke to Nick briefly then it was almost a dash to get on board as everyone else was already on the plane.
I was glad that I had booked a child seat for Emily as it was much safer and also more comfortable for her, being much like a kids' car seat. I had asked for a window and aisle pair of seats so we could get in and out without disturbing anyone else. We watched all of the kids TV programmes before and after the first meal was served but there weren't that many geared up to smaller children, just Mickey Mouse and a couple of other short animations. After about 4 hours of flight Emily fell asleep, but only for about 40 minutes. We walked about now and again but she didn't seem keen to hang around near the galley like she did last time and kept asking to return to the seats. The last 5 hours really dragged. We had exhausted all entertainment options including audio CD and games, and even resorted to The Simpsons. She was very grumpy by the time we crossed the Dutch coast and became really tearful while we were in the inevitable holding pattern for Heathrow.
I had to carry Emily in my arms a long way from the plane to customs. She had dark circles under her eyes by then and was quite lacklustre, though she perked up a bit in the baggage hall. My mood was not enhanced when I could not work out which carousel to wait by, and the staff all looked surly and unhelpful so I waited at the wrong one for 10 minutes before walking down to the far end to find our luggage going round and round. I do worry that so many foreigners must form terrible impressions of Britain as soon as they land.
At last we emerged into Arrivals and saw Mum's face. Fi was also there with Charlie, and it was lovely to finally see him in the flesh. He really is a cutie. We transferred to Fi's car and she soon had us back to her place. The new house is so much bigger than School Terrace and with a 50 foot garden. Emily had fallen asleep in the car on the way and I got her inside and into bed easily enough. I managed to stay up until 9pm when a glass of wine with dinner finished me off and I turned in, having remained awake for exactly 24 hours. I made the mistake of trying to move Emily into the big bed with me and she became hysterical. Nothing would calm her and in the end I lost it a bit and fled the room. Fi and Mum took over and took her downstairs for a while then returned her back to the bedroom after I had dropped off. Later in the night she cried out and I ended up sleeping on the floor with her, though nothing would have kept me from slumber by then.
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I had sent our main luggage ahead via courier service so when we got there we first picked that up then headed for the Virgin check-in. I was hoping that as I was travelling on my own with a toddler I would be spared the queue but alas, no. We waited for nearly half an hour but Emily was very patient. Once unfettered by bags we went to the observation area to look at a few planes take off and land, and saw our plane parked below us.
.JPG)
I watched a huge A380 lumber skyward at what seemed snail's pace and once more marvelled at aerodynamics.
We went through security and immigration fairly quickly, though I was fed up that I got to the immigration counter only to be reminded that I needed to fill in a re-entrant card for residents. I wish they would put up notices to that effect before you start queuing. Fortunately the officer let me go back to the desk without lining up again. We spoke to Nick briefly then it was almost a dash to get on board as everyone else was already on the plane.
I was glad that I had booked a child seat for Emily as it was much safer and also more comfortable for her, being much like a kids' car seat. I had asked for a window and aisle pair of seats so we could get in and out without disturbing anyone else. We watched all of the kids TV programmes before and after the first meal was served but there weren't that many geared up to smaller children, just Mickey Mouse and a couple of other short animations. After about 4 hours of flight Emily fell asleep, but only for about 40 minutes. We walked about now and again but she didn't seem keen to hang around near the galley like she did last time and kept asking to return to the seats. The last 5 hours really dragged. We had exhausted all entertainment options including audio CD and games, and even resorted to The Simpsons. She was very grumpy by the time we crossed the Dutch coast and became really tearful while we were in the inevitable holding pattern for Heathrow.
I had to carry Emily in my arms a long way from the plane to customs. She had dark circles under her eyes by then and was quite lacklustre, though she perked up a bit in the baggage hall. My mood was not enhanced when I could not work out which carousel to wait by, and the staff all looked surly and unhelpful so I waited at the wrong one for 10 minutes before walking down to the far end to find our luggage going round and round. I do worry that so many foreigners must form terrible impressions of Britain as soon as they land.
At last we emerged into Arrivals and saw Mum's face. Fi was also there with Charlie, and it was lovely to finally see him in the flesh. He really is a cutie. We transferred to Fi's car and she soon had us back to her place. The new house is so much bigger than School Terrace and with a 50 foot garden. Emily had fallen asleep in the car on the way and I got her inside and into bed easily enough. I managed to stay up until 9pm when a glass of wine with dinner finished me off and I turned in, having remained awake for exactly 24 hours. I made the mistake of trying to move Emily into the big bed with me and she became hysterical. Nothing would calm her and in the end I lost it a bit and fled the room. Fi and Mum took over and took her downstairs for a while then returned her back to the bedroom after I had dropped off. Later in the night she cried out and I ended up sleeping on the floor with her, though nothing would have kept me from slumber by then.
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