the first long day

It was a baptism of Canadian proportions. We arrived at Gatwick with time enough to grab something to eat and assemble ourselves in the departure lounge...
then we waited.. and waited... and until we overheard someone else refrring to the flight being delayed because there was a technical difficulty and they wouldn't know what would be happening for another 2 hours.
Caroline checked and discovered that the pilot seat had a fault and a spare part was being flown in from Luton. It turned out to be the safety harness for the pilot seat, which needed to be changed. He was refusing to be strapped in with duck tape as an alternative solution.
Our plans were being scuppered already... so we had to just wait.
Eventually the information board declared we were to head for gate 38.
There was a frenzied rush and we were all strapped in and taking off some 2.5 hours later with the promise that the flight would take 7hr and 6 minutes...
We landed at 19.25 around 2.25 hrs late and got through the exciting process of passport control and baggage reclaim without a hitch.
We then headed off to consider then options of taxi or the new 747 express bus into the centre. The signs for the bus were attracting us and for $7 each we were able to jump aboard an awaiting bus and be transported into the centre... and luckily guess the correct stop to get off.
arrived at the hotel at around 21.00hrs (local time) but in our head it was 02.00hrs the following day, and feeling a little tired by now.....
But... the long day turned into the long night,as we soon hit the mattress with earplugs in place and fell asleep,despite there being lots of partying going on across the street. even being 11 floors up didn't stop the noise.

We awoke early this morning and made plans to get out and find somewhere centrally and have breakfast. We walked for around an hour before finding a cafe, which the owner was sat in the window, beckoning us in...(could have been Amsterdam for minute)... but we chatted with her and she served up a classic fried breakfast for me and an greek omellete for Caroline,plus as much coffee and tea, plus toast and jam... all for around £6 each... bargain!! and hit the spot for the day...
So we've wandered around,taken soem pictures and soaked up the party atmosphere in the centre. Pictures of our view from the balcony this morning, the altar at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the harbour.
Off to find a veggie restuarant this evening, then book out tomorrow and take a 2 hour train journey to Ottawa tomorrow, after lunchtime.... but more of that later.