On the return flight from Newcastle to Heathrow, I was sitting behind a family who were lucky enough to be going to Sydney, Australia for a holiday. I was immediately behind two young lads (8 and 6). Obviously both were very excited at flying for the first time.
They were excited when we pushed back, they were nervous when we accelerated down the runway and they were delirious when we left the ground.
The lads were absolutely amazed when they could see the houses, rivers, mountains, railway tracks and motorways from 20,000 feet. Forty five minutes later, as we descended below the cloud base, the two boys took in the sights of London. The excitement of the youngest lad now reached fever pitch.
‘Look Paul, Big Ben. Paul. Look there is Big Ben’
I glanced across. I couldn’t see Big Ben but I could see a church in Richmond.
‘DAD LOOK THERE IS WEMBLEY STADIUM. LOOK DAD ! WEMBLEY STADIUM’
I glanced across. I couldn’t see Wembley Stadium but I could see Twickenham. Gear down. Airport complex in sight.
** ‘MUM, DAD, PAUL. LOOK ! LOOK ! THERE IS SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE. SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE. LOOK !’ **
I glanced across. The little boy was right. Off to the right - Sydney Opera House.