The day started with the normal excitement and apprehension that precedes any long trip. Bags had been packed weighed and sealed, tickets checked,rechecked and checked once more before being safely stored away only to be taken out and checked again. I normally have several files one for tickets out, one contains the e-tickets for both directions, visa and passports, a printed copy of each e-visa along with a copy of each passport, whilst I realise that having the passport copy is of little use it does  mean that I have all the necessary details for the online check in. I also create a copy which I call the “hotel information pack”. This contains all paaports and visas , the neccesary information required by the hotel each night. I have found that this satisfies most hotels and results in not having to leave passports at reception each night and the inevitable risk of forgetting one in the morning. This hotel book then becomes a further spare copy.

Sam gets a copy of the visas passports and tickets to cover the return journey, just in case I lose mine.

We arrived at almost 17:45 seconds behind the Kelly brothers, and I just caught a glance of them leaving the lobby as I entered from the other end.

With the exception of the Kelly’s having to share their room  the Arden hotel has done us proud. If your intending to stay here and travelling from the south you need to leave the Motorway in the right hand lane of the two lane slip road allowing you to get to the right hand side of the three lane approach, which allows you to go right at the first roundabout without crossing the solid white line.

Travelling the night before takes so much stress from the journey, remembering a serious collision on any bit of the 100+ miles of motorway could leave you stranded for hours.

Tomorrow we will be off line for 24 hrs travelling