As you start to have that feeling of déjà vu as you taxi down the runway, at the same time thinking ah the flights not that long…you know you are on a long haul to the other side of the world. Fortunately of course there is entertainment for everyone, meals that are available and generally edible as well as the little voice in the back of your head that says hey you are almost there….and perhaps I should have a glass of wine! 

Landing in London we are met by the tour leaders who have a big job in front of them with 76 of us in total. We are a pretty diverse bunch with some who have travelled a bit, some who have travelled a lot and then others like the 4 kids from Tennant Creek who have not travelled at all. As well as the players and their management team there are mums,dads, nanas, pops, uncles, aunts and siblings as part of the supporters group.

Before leaving Heathrow the players and each of the supporters are given a roll call number –  I am 1, Steve is 2 and Vic is 32….it’s all a bit surreal ! We are then led to a couple of coaches and begin the adventure, for some it could possibly be of a life time.

As we battle the early morning London traffic I am reminded of why I love the sleepy hollow of Canberra, the hustle and bustle of large international cities is awesome for holidays, but boy I am glad I don’t have to do this every day. We have on our bus a lovely Cotswold resident who gives us a running commentary of all that we pass so that the long trip to town passes relatively quickly.

We have a jam packed day ahead of us to keep us awake, so as part of our walking tour of London we head straight to Liz and Phil’s for some photos, noting that they are at Windsor which we will visit later tonight. Then onto Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and Westminster Abbey. One of the slightly undesirable aspects of group tours is that you only have such a short bit of time at places, and I feel the pain of those in our group who are standing out the front of the glorious Westminster Abbey but can’t go inside ! It should be noted however that where there is a will there is a way – number 32 did make a break for it at Trafalgar Square and raced into the National Gallery, when number 2 went back to get him as the group moved on, number 1 was very nervous that she would have to do the roll call alone, it was a surprisingly high pressured moment ! 

   
   After seeing some (well really only a handful of) the major sites of old London Town including where lots of James Bond bits and pieces are filmed, lunch was scheduled, Selfridges for some, Pizza Hut for us (already I sense a rebellion) then shopping at Lilliewhites for the all important gloves to be worn playing footy.

Back to the airport to go to the hotel to check in,  have a quick shower and change then back on the bus for a night in Windsor. You sometimes forget how good a shower can be, when I caught up with the boys during our quick shopping expedition I was relieved that I was on another bus – wow wee! 

The bus is almost silent as we drive into the Windsor car park, not all of the supporter group is with us, but as the boys are all going it only seems fair that despite having all been up for days that we should put in the effort. Also of course for me the idea of seeing a castle at night and the possibility of Christmas lights are a pretty good incentive to get my act together! Our little group is increased by one, to include the guy that Vic is bunking with, and we have a great dinner, drinking local beer and cider and are back on the bus by 7.30.. With lights out well before 8.30.. What a great first day, busy, informative and lots of fun!