We had a good flight via Singapore with 6 hours sleep in the Singapore transit hotel – it definitely helps with the jet lag. I had a rather large Irishman next to me who took up some of my seat so it was not so comfortable on the second leg.

Our old friends from Aylesbury Helen and Rab kindly picked us up from the airport and had to deal with a lot of traffic on our behalf. We had a good catch up before getting to bed at 8.30pm and having a big sleep.

Next day we went for a walk around College Lake – an old chalk quarry turned into a wildlife area. It’s now a lovely spot – a far cry from what it used to be I’m sure.

Glenn enjoyed using his new camera to capture the birds.

After the circuit we enjoyed a cooling drink and ice cream at the cafe overlooking the lake. Many fossils have been found there over the years – including a huge mammoth tusk – now embedded in the floor on the way out.

In the evening we went out to the Harrow Pub in the village of Bishopstone just outside Aylesbury. It’s a lovely spot for eating – with delicious food. I had cured trout and then a crispy duck salad – both excellent.

We were all leaving on our travels the next day so it was our last opportunity to have a few drinks together. Rab and Glenn sampled a few special whiskies from the north of Scotland. I avoided them – and the guaranteed headache the next day.

We made it to midnight – a good effort for day 1 in the UK!