We're Here!

We made to the start OK!  As I write we're  in Winchester, catching up on much needed sleep at the Winchester Royal Hotel. It's 3PM here, July 1 and after enduring a soul-shriveling shuffle & wait, shuffle & wait 2 & 1/2 hour delay at immigration, after arriving at Heathrow Terminal 3 at 8:30 AM - this following an overnight flight on a packed Virgin Atlantic Airbus - we found our hotel up a back road in this ancient old city in a rain burst and collapsed for a couple of hours.  Our wonderful niece Caitlin is house/dog/cat sitting for us while we're away and drove us to the bus terminal in Portsmouth.

 Now it's time for a bit of exploration. There's something called a "Hat Fair" going on this weekend which we gather from the guy who drove us in from London is a street fair, with mimes, juggling and music from performers doing their thing in the streets. Tomorrow is a rest day here and we will of course check out the cathedral where King Alfred was crowned at the first King of England back in 943 AD. Winchester is also said to be the locus of King Arthur of round table fame.

We'll grab a spot of tea of course and maybe a scone too. Off we go!