Totally brilliant day

After plenty of good sleep Clare and I went for a pre breakfast swim which was the first thing of many fabulous things today. After a slap up breakfast we set forth to Zamalek, finding lots of bits I remembered. First stop our school, this is the back of it- it’s not a school any more, that recently moved out to near the pyramids. Spent some time working out this was the back and how it all fitted together into our memories but got there in the end. Then my mum took us the wrong way to get the the fair trade shop so she could get stocked up on new tea cloths, I guided us correctly much to her initial doubt. Then to Pub28 for a beer where we likely really confused the staff, just happily arriving in a dark, wood panelled empty pub for a beer, laughing and taking photos. I could easily then navigate us to the pet shop which used to supply me with budgies (Joey, green and another blue one whose name I can’t remember). The pet shop was closed but was 4 times the size it was before with a fancy frontage- I was delighted they have been doing so well. Will go back when they are open.

You may have worked out this is not a trip for the tourist sights. Just retracing our previous lives, it is very familiar and comforting to be in the hot noisy bedlam.

Anyway, back to our fancy dan hotel for more swimming and a few hours by the pool. I decided I really didn’t want to be in a room without the balcony doors opening (they are painting the outside) so after several nice chats with the reception people and then a few trips throughout the hotel with all my bags when the key card didn’t work I eventually got into my new, fantastic 19th floor room with superb views and a functioning balcony. In a day with only great things, the pet shop and my new balcony are tip top highlights.

Dinner was on a restaurant boat on the river, we obvs over ordered in our greed for the tasty foods. I have taken some photos with my proper camera, first time for a long time. Many extras including the lovely photo Clare took of me with my proper camera…..