Wanderlust: Day 1 (and a half) Trip 2014

Brisbane to Singapore – note to self – if flying Singapore Airlines, fly out of Sydney next time. The A330s are OK but prefer a 747, 777 or an A380. We left Bne 2.40pm and arrived Sin 8.25 local time (10.25pm Bne time)

Also – note to self – the Duty Free for make up and perfume is much better in Terminal 1 – we are at T3 where the new lounge is, but the duty free is not great.

Now showered and ready for the next very long leg to our destination. You really can't fault SQ they have very good in-flight service. Let's face it - they have been serving Taittinger since we left Bne (and a very nice French Chablis) - the food has been lovely and having a bed to stretch out in means I was able to get five hours sleep straight! I bought new luggage this year, so was very distressed to find somebody else had carted off one of our suitcases on arrival in London! I had a very specific tag also .... seriously... are some people just stupid? Half an hour later they finally returned it! I had organised London Heathrow Cars to meet us and after a very long flight, for GBP60 it's worth having somebody there to take you straight to a waiting car.

Too early to book in so donned our coats and walked from Sofitel St James down Regent St, all the way along Oxford St to Hyde Park and through to look at the Winter Market. Back out to Selfridge's, they didn't open till 11.30am and within five minutes it was packed. I had a nail repaired (priorities people! but 20 quid for one nail ...sheesh!) then on our way back bought a killer pair of heels :) Lunch at (one of) Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurants, welcome drinks back at the hotel, a kip and then dinner at the Criterion Hotel that somebody had recommended - five minutes away at Piccadilly Circus. It was OK - GBP20 for two-course meal but by the time you buy a bottle of wine and add gratuities there is no change from GBP120.