out into the world

Off to breakfast and it was 'what is left' morning.  We had been paying attention when this was explained to us the previous night and were there a bit early to ensure we got the last of the porridge - we did.

Finished up packing and then the first batch was off the the airport - this included Gill and I.  The drive was easy, and Gill was wonderfully chatty, which was good because I am petty much covered on arms and back with a really nasty painful rash.  This started on my back after the Quorn incident and has just gotten worse.  I finally have to take my watch off because my skin is so swollen and painful; it was like all of Snow Whites dwarves were snapping me with rubber bands. 

Through security, we do our duty free shopping - reading labels on everything food related.  I know I can't wait until London to eat so we start browsing our food choices.  Gill has just decided what she wants and realises her gate is called.  Once she get settled, I go back and look at the salads - all of them have tuna so I say what the heck and grab a crusty baguette with Serrano ham.  It was delicious, but I would have a headache by the time I land in London.

We say our final goodbyes, remind each other we are going to be together in 9 weeks and we are off.  My flight is easy as I'd gone ahead and purchased an exit row and had a seat between me and a really nice quiet guy.  I had done some research on how to get from Luton to London; I could go bus or train.  If I chose train, then I'd need to take the shuttle bus to the station. 

Though immigration, which took a really long time because I had a trainee, I grab my bag and go into the terminal.  It is pretty much a mad house and there are long lines in front of the bus and train desks and the automatic machines are broken.  I make a half-hearted attempt to wait in line and then get bored and go outside.

I see a bus that says Luton Rail station so I go over and ask if I can buy a ticket on the bus and the nice lady say you can buy it at the next stop, so on I go - feeling a bit clever.  We drive through Luton and about 10 minutes later, we stop in an alley that is not a rail station and get dumped off.  She says the bus to London is behind me - there is no rail station to be seen.

I buy a ticket on the next bus, which causes the driver to curse and reboot his machine.  Calling his supervisor over to ball him out and say why don't you ever take care of us - I have reported these bleeping machines....  Soonish, we are on our way to London.

About an hour later, I start to recognise things.  I had planned to go to Victoria Station and then tube to Euston so I could check my bag, but I figured that would take at least another hour, so I got off at Marble Arch and walked to Selfridges.  I tried to get my eyebrows done, but they were booked and called a store down the street for me.  After visiting the pharmacist for Benadryl and B complex without yeast, I headed down there and got my eyebrows threaded.

I then keep moving down Oxford Street hitting Boots and then Liberty to pick up supplies. I am dragging my wheelie bag and have my backpack on.  It is a wonderful summer day in London, and it's very busy. I take a few people out and run over an old guy's foot with my wheelie bag.

Around 7, I hit a favourite Thai place and have some of my favourites.  The food was good, but there was a bit too much of it and my lungs immediately filled with mucus.  I ate it anyway because I was hungry, and I am realising that eating out with these restrictions may not be possible, particularly with a sauce involved.

After dinner, I continue heading west, I had to decided whether I was going to take the tube.  When I got the the station, I decided to just keep walking.  I wasn't uncomfortable, and it was a beautiful evening.  All the parks where filled with people on blankets having their dinner and talking.

Arriving at the station, grabbed some fruit and water and got on the train, found my berth and settled into bed.  I woke up just before Aviemore and had some green tea, cleaned up and watched the beautiful country go by - we pulled into Inverness at 0830.  

I had smoked salmon and eggs - no toast, dreaded white flour; did some shopping at the health food store - citric acid is in everything - and then I drove back to 

Thurso.  After I unpacked, I went through the kitchen and removed everything with citrus, yeast or fermentation, which basically is anything prepared and in a jar.  My kitchen was quite bare.