Monday and Tuesday morning

I only had 4 hours sleep Sunday night and was up and at breakfast before 9. There were lots of good byes today as people left at different times and eventually I was one of those people.

I managed to pack everything in my case although it was a tighter squeeze than coming over. The company that had run the conference had organised travel to the airport on there were 5 of us sharing a minibus since we were on the same flight. It turns out there were another 2 as well but they went separately.

It was not a long trip to the airport and there was virtually no queue to check in. I obtained a spare invite so Silvia could join us. Michael and Marian were on Business class anyway. The lounge is multi airline and help yourself but I had one drink and some nibbles before we had to leave. Sofia is a small airport with no intercontinental flights and it was less than a minute from the lounge to the gate.




Silvia and I sat together with a man from Iceland, who lives in Bulgaria, occupying the window seat. Silvia talked to him quite a bit (there was no movie) but I kept nodding off.

Once I  Heathrow we went our separate ways. My non EU passport queue was very much longer than hers and it took over an hour to get to the front. I suspect she was long gone before I got the the baggage carousel.

I opted for the express train, more expensive but faster which arrives at Paddington station. From there I took a no 7 bus that goes to Russell Square but diagonally opposite the hotel. My room is quite small with only a single bed. It does have an en-suite but otherwise reminds me of student accommodation. My view is of rooftops.

The front of the hotel faces the square and those rooms have a much better view. likewise the bar on the first floor.

The hotel entrance is off the main street with a courtyard. I think the photos may make it look better than it is. None the less it is a modern style hotel with 9 floors serviced by 5 lifts. It also has free wifi and I updated facebook and checked emails, once I'd unpacked. I went for a short walk about 7pm and found a Tescos around the corner, where I bought a sandwich, yoghurt and drink, which was my tea. A much smaller meal than I'd become used to in Sofia.

There is a 2 hour time difference and that plus the lack of sleep had me asleep before 8-30. I didn't get up till 7.30 this morning so I have caught up quite a bit.

The shower was quite good although the bath was narrow but the water leaked past the curtain. There doesn't seem to be a drain in the floor so I have 1/2" of water in some places.

There was a full English breakfast in a large dining room on the first floor. Many more tables but much less choice than in Sofia. It is also a big difference between having breakfast where you know 50 or so other people and where you are alone.



I will be heading out shortly. No firm plans but will check on shows for tonight with the porter and then perhaps head for the British Museum. Which is a short walk away.