Malaysia Airlines flight MH2. The airline was still operating the KUL LHR sector with the B744 aircraft back then. Aircraft reg 9M-MPK dubbed 'Johor Bahru'.
Late night flight from KLIA. Seated at row 46.
Flight path over the Indian ocean, West Asia, Eastern Europe, Russia and finally into the UK for landing at London Heathrow airport.
Arrived London Heathrow at 5.30 in the morning. Wet and cold 6c temperature outside.
Cleared customs and immigration, first thing we did was to collect car from the rental company. Get on the correct shuttle van from this bus stop no 18 and driver will take you to the car rental office.
New Nissan Micra for our self drive holiday. After collected the car, searched for a place to eat breakfast, couldn't find a place to eat at that early hour. Spotted Tesco Express and bought some biscuits and drinks, good enough until we look for breakfast proper later.
Still within the Heathrow airport neighbourhood. A340 aircraft spotted just above the rooftop of this houses, on its final approach to land.
From Heathrow, took the M4, then M25 orbital and the M1 motorway heading to the North. Had to stop quite frequently at the Highway Services. First stop was for proper breakfast, subsequent stops were for coffee. The timezone differences and jetlag made the driving a little bit of a challenge.
Typical view on the Motorway. Green fields.
Arrived to our accommodation in Nottingham after a few hours drive from Heathrow. The next morning, car was covered by thin ice. Still very cold even though its already March.
The neighbourhood of Radford, Nottingham.
Parked car at 'The Forest' station and took a ride on the Nottingham tram service to 'Old Market Square' station in the city center.
Nottingham, city center.
Nice park and there is a visitor center where you can catch up about Sherwood Forest's history, but first, pay some tax money to Robin and his merry men.
Travelled further North on the M1, to Leeds.
Leeds city center.
For a superb meal, there is Zam Zam restaurant at New Briggate, Leeds. Absolutely delicious kebab.
Pasta Romagna. A small italian cafe at Albion place, Leeds. Great cafe to enjoy a cup of cappuccino and some bomboloni for dessert.
Inside Leeds coach station.
A short visit to Headingley campus of Leeds Beckett University (previously Leeds Metropolitan University). Nice campus environment, situated in Beckett Park.
Campus buildings surrounded by beautiful open greens.
The steps at main entrance of James Graham building.
The Grange. One of the oldest building on this campus site.
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Next on the visit list. The Middleton Railway in South Leeds. Now a heritage railway status, and the world's oldest working railway. This is the entrance to the site at Moor road railway station.
Inside the engine house, an extensive museum collection on display of the locomotives.
Including this engine the Brookes No. 1 which was once retrofitted as Thomas the Tank Engine life size replica.
Towards the rear of the engine house, is the access to Moor road station train platform. A train service is being prepared for visitors.
We took a short ride on a train service from Moor road station to Park halt.
A short one mile journey on the train to get to park halt. Enjoy the view of Middleton park at the halt or observe the train crew prepares for the return journey.
York. The beautiful historic city of York. Renown for its medieval city walls.
Direction to The Shambles.
Old streets, cobblestones, overhanging timberframe buildings.
Shambles market.
The cobblestone path leads to the narrow lanes of The Shambles.
Strolled around York city.
York Minster.
York train station.
Located next door to York train station is the National Railway Museum.
This railway museum has a large collection of locomotives. A very exciting and interesting visit.
Spotted Thomas the Tank Engine's friend, Percy at the outdoor exhibition area.
Done with all the attraction in York, next we headed to a small quaint little town of Pickering.
The reason for visit here in Pickering is this. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
The heritage steam train service runs from Pickering to Whitby.
Very spectacular experience indeed for being able to watch the steam train in action. This train service just arrived Pickering from Whitby.
More exciting to watch a live steam train in action, compared to museum visits.
The steam train continues its service to Whitby through the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. We drove instead to Whitby, also through the beatiful North Yorkshire Moors National Park.
Sheep zone. Caution.
An ice cream van appeared out of nowhere. Could not resist the temptation for a cone of ice cream.
Arriving into the coastal town of Whitby.
Scenic seaside town of Whitby.
Walkabout in Whitby town.
Window shopping. Fudge and Fish.
Manchester, city center.
Along Oxford road, Manchester.
University in the city center.
There's a nice pizza shop here.
The place is called Pizza Co. Great pizza.
University in the city center.
Quick stop at Trafford Park, before heading back south to London.
For our quick visit to the capital city, we drove to Luton train station for park and ride service. Took the train service into St. Pancras station, and only briefly spent the day in London.
Bayswater Underground station.
Self drive holiday ends. Back to Heathrow airport for flight home.
In 2008, Malaysia Airlines check in counter was still located in T3. Present day moved to T4.
Arrived rather early at Heathrow. Send the rental car to the rental office and one of the first to check in for the 2200 hrs MH1 flight.
Airplane window view changes from densed cold clouds to brighter tropical weather.
Flaps maximum for landing. Arrived KLIA airport at 6.20 pm evening after the long haul flight from London Heathrow.
That journey in March 2008 from Heathrow to KLIA was on MH1, aircraft B747-400 reg 9M-MPD (the special hibiscus livery).
END.
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