The Joys of Travelling

Last week I wrote to you while bobbing up and down on a beautiful boat surrounded by the stunning islands of the Galapagos with a heron sitting on the roof.

This week not so glam, a café in Guayaquil Airport, Ecuador on my way to Madrid then home to Heathrow. We should have been home over 24 hours ago but sadly someone had died on our incoming flight which triggered a police investigation, grounded plane, a hotel stopover and missed connection – Oh the joys of travelling. 

But what was a massive shock was the way some passengers reacted to the problem. Screaming, shouting, banging on the desk and, threatening the staff, it was a crazy scene. However, those of us who kept calm got our reward when it came to dishing out hotel vouchers. The aggressors got sent to ‘The Holiday Inn’ while our team and a collection of others made it to The Sheraton – A small but significant victory! 


Our A-Z Guide on beating fatigue I’ll be all over like a rash, not one to suffer greatly from jet lag, but our action packed trip which included snorkelling and daily hikes has taken the stuffing out of me, batteries are low and I definitely need to top up. 

While travelling I drink water infused with sachets of electrolytes and tonight, dreaming of a magnesium bath to assist a restful sleep, you can buy the bath salts from most chemists and I highly recommend them. I never play the game of constantly referring to the time in the country I’ve left. That needs to be forgotten as your plane takes off, only think of the time zone you have to function in.


What can I tell you about Jumpsuits – I personally look like I should be changing tyres in all but a very few. The ones that work for me are the slightly dressier versions where I can wear a high shoe. Looking good in one isn’t necessarily about dress size it’s about proportions and of all my friends Claire Sweeney is the one who cracks it every time and you’ll see her often in a fabulous denim one by Jean Queen Donna Ida. 


I loved ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ I’m the Dick Van Dyke era and can still belt out (car only) many of the songs from memory. So very excited to know it’s back again this time with Elaine C Smith as the evil child catcher. Adult or child it’s a wonderful show and with eyes like saucers, in April 2002 I took my girls along to The London Palladium for Michael Ball’s brilliant performance as Caractacus Potts and when I took them int his dressing room they all lost the power of speech.


Before I board my last leg home to the UK my final ‘Chitty’ brag and best is driving alongside my co presenters John Lesley and Diane Louise Jorden the real star of the film into the Blue Peter studio.


Next week I’ll be at my desk looking at wildlife on the river Thames! 

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Writing to you from Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands