We're not really sure whether it's night or day by the time we land in Manchester. A short transit in Doha means that we can at least shower and freshen up before boarding the next plane for the 'shorter' 7.5 hour flight but it still adds up to a very long journey.
Manchester Airport turns out to be quite a disappointment as the intended stop at Duty Free just isn't possible. Surely it must be the only international airport without a Duty Free in Arrivals? To be honest there is nothing at Arrivals except blank walls and monotony. Walking out of the terminal we're at least met with a sunny warm afternoon. There is a wait to collect the hire-car but before long we find ourselves engulfed by busy traffic on the Manchester ring road... A quick correction so that we're actually going in the right direction on the ring road(!) soon sees us navigating a rabbit warren of streets near Russell's house.
The grim old buildings that line the main road conceal a pocket of new builds. We turn into the estate to find neat rows of beautiful new houses and at last... at the end of the street, a grassy bank and the welcome front door of Hilary and Russell's house. A warm welcome, a comfortable room to install our things and later ourselves, and an afternoon spent catching up while sitting in the soft folds of a nice sofa. The inevitable veil of drowsiness starts to fall across both our brows and our astute hosts usher us to a very early supper and then to bed. And so our first day in the UK comes to a close at 7pm. The long dusk is only just starting but we're totally oblivious to the light that creeps into the room. For now it is only weariness from jet lag and wonderful wonderful sleep.
