It was adeus to Portugal and hello to the UK as we flew from Lisbon to London Luton. We then took three trains (including the new Elizabeth Line) and the Docklands Light Rail out to Beckton Park where we were staying with Mawfa’s cousin Eleanor and her boyfriend Ross in their newly purchased flat.

It was a quick hello to Eleanor as she was heading out for dinner and we also headed back in to Tower Bridge for dinner at The Ivy with the old softball crew from when Mamfa and Mawfa lived in London in 2001-02. Fantastic to catch up with Duncan and Becky, Dave and Sara, and Tim and Wendy. Sara had little gifts for everyone including socks, kinder surprise and little bottles of alcohol. It was a really fun night.

Some key facts about United Kingdom

– Population – 67 million

– Capital City – London

– National Sport – Football

– Summer Olympic Gold Medals – 298

– Winter Olympic Gold Medals – 12

– Highest Ever FIFA World Ranking – 3rd

– Most Famous Sportsperson – David Beckham – Football

This day in sporting history (16 August)

1743 Champion of England titleholder Jack Broughton publishes “Rules of the Ring,” the earliest boxing code

2008 Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt sets a new world record of 9.69 seconds to win the coveted 100m gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

2009 Usain Bolt of Jamaica edges American Tyson Gay to win 100m in world record 9.58s at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin