This is all getting very familiar the only good thing is there is much more to do here if we make the effort.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that we should have bought with us US dollars as everything is considerably cheaper. We have read that there are cash machines with dollars somewhere but we can not find them. The message we are getting is that the government does not want dollars used so they make it almost impossible to get hold of them.
Even the guy on reception made a comment as to what Christina has done.

Tom - after a few calls and mails to both service in Australia and Vines of Guildford in UK they find a couple of bikes with the spec I am looking for.
We do a bit of haggling over the email, (not in a very strong negotiating position from BA) and agree a price (their price) and i completely blow the budget and bike an ex demonstrator with 2800 miles. I am still not sure i have done the right thing.

We buy some stickers of flags we are missing but it all seems a bit sad.