The End??? Or is it……
Well I was quite pleased with myself because I managed to get to the bus station all by myself and ask for a ticket and got there in one piece and with plenty of time. Too much time to be honest but I discovered Sao Paulo’s airports secret...
Whereas before I thought it was the most boring airport Id ever been to I discovered that if you wandered through the various waiting areas the shops got more interesting. So I take back my comment in the diary at the beginning it does however need better signs stating there are more shops and you can get to them.
Im afraid to say that the trip back was very UN Mairee like. The flight was on time, I got through security, and there were no nuns. I should imagine it was like a normal journey for people other than me. I was quite bored by it all by halfway back, or maybe it was shock at the lack of disasters!
I have to say I wasn’t too sure of how I was feeling at this point half of me was looking forward to seeing everyone but half of me didn’t want to go. Laura and Russell met me at the airport Laura armed with chocolate!!
Even the sniffer dogs let me through! Once I had got back to Laura’s the aviary staff descended and then the retelling of story’s started.
It’s been quite strange being back I think it’s been harder coming home and a bigger culture shock than going out to South America. It’s taken me 3 days to go into Tescos. Which sounds really silly but just the sheer volume of people is quite scary. Driving has been very odd, although I didn’t drive out there I got used to being a passenger on the right hand side.
The weather well don’t get me started on that... I won’t put the whole sentence down but it’s……******…..?????...!!!!! COLD. 3 days back and I have the sniffles already. One thing that really has shocked me is the media interest so far. Ad scene are coming and doing a interview and photos tomorrow, I have a radio interview with BBC radio Kent on Sunday 4th, 2 papers from the Midlands want to cover the story as well and this is with the press release being under 24 hours old. Rodrigo would be well in the money!!
Id like to thank some people the Churchill Trust for making this possible, the Castle and all its staff for the support shown, the aviary staff in particular for putting up with tears and tantrums. All of my friends and family for all their support.
There are a few people who deserve special mention and I know I will get shouted at for it.. My technical and tactical advisor Simon, who sorted all of the technical stuff out, made sense of gobbledygook emails and texts and my newest “Big Bro”.
Laura who has been a tower of strength from beginning to end, my voice of reason, administration advisor and spellchecker!
Ditto for all the support given and giving me words of advice, comfort and kicking me up the ass when I needed it.
And finally Captain Jack for knowing exactly when an endless supply of beer or chocolate were needed.
So for now this is the end of chasing toucans however I do plan to go back and have already started saving to go back so keep your ears and eyes open for the sequel!!