There’s nothing like a pandemic to make you appreciate the place you are from and the people you love back there.
After nearly two years I was able to make the trip back to Blighty, after two rescheduled flights – I timed it right that I didn’t have to quarantine upon arrival.
Things to note if you are traveling soon: you will need to take a test within 72 hours of travel – make sure you have proof before heading to the airport. Make sure you order your at-home Day 2 test and fill out your travel locator form (takes about an hour). The airline will need your Covid Test order ID number before they allow you to travel. Expect long lines to check-in at the airport and long lines at passport control upon arrival.
Arriving through the Nothing to Declare line at Heathrow always makes me nervous, even though I have nothing to be nervous about! But once through I got quite emotional with the lines of greeters with their signs welcoming loved ones back. Reminded me of the scene in Love Actually!
I spent a few days with a friend in the gorgeous town of Rottingdean, near Brighton for a few days and awaited my test results from my Day 2 test. I was negative! Never did I think that stating something was negative would be a positive! But these are indeed strange times we live in.
It was an odd feeling seeing so many people unmasked around me on the trains, and in cafes, bars, etc… but with nearly 80% of the population fully vaccinated – and itching to get back to some sort of normality it all starts to make sense. For my own protection I still choose to wear my mask. I don’t fancy having to extend my trip in the UK for a further two weeks.
YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU GOT TILL IT’S GONE
Seeing my Mum and Dad for the first time in two years choked me up! Knowing that they are getting older and feeling the wear and tear of the years, I’m glad I was able to spend some quality time with them, I didn’t want to leave. My niece hosted a mini-family reunion in her garden so it was lovely to hug family members again and have a good old natter and a catch-up.
PORTRAIT IN THE ATTIC
Dad had been on my case about clearing all my stuff from out of the loft for many years now and I had never really gotten around to it. But this time I was able to climb the rickety old ladders and have a good old rummage. I was an avid follower and collector of the singles in the chart so had over 200 7″ singles and some vinyl albums too – I saved a few – but boxed most of the others up and donated them to charity, along with a bunch of clothes and used books.
For those that don’t know I used to be in a pop band in the 90s and I had all of my video cassette tapes of performances, costumes, and press cuttings and it’s easy to get lost down a rabbit hole, going through old stuff. But the parentals and I had a good laugh reading back on old fan letters and interviews and remembering those good old days. – I managed to salvage a box of good memories that I am shipping back to LA….that no doubt will sit in my storage for another 25 years. But alas, at least I made more room in the attic for some of my dad’s other stuff – which pleased mum, she’ll get to declutter the house somewhat! Not that my dad’s a hoarder, but he just likes stacks of newspapers – SMH!
I found the experience somewhat cathartic and highly recommend it to you when you go home if you have the time, that is!
Mum and I went for a long walk around the river Trent and it’s amazing the different things you see through adult eyes that you took for granted as a kid. Like statues and history plaques and memorial gardens. Which reminds me – NEVER FORGET where you come from, remain humble and honor your past!
See you when I get back!
Craig
