Camera battery fully charged Delhi's rising winter sun made for a glorious shot.
Before we left for Pakistan, saw Alex & Neville quickly - which was nice - and manic as usual, then it was back to the 747 and the short hop to Islamabad. It's so much quicker flying direct. Having to travel via Lahore the whole time is very nasty - why India & Pakistan can't just sort out direct flights who knows.... lack of people who want to go to Islamabad is probably one reason.
As part of the advance pool this time, as soon as we touch down I get the camera and we are stood by the door with two snappers and Matt from No 10 - as we are first off so we are ahead of Brown and can film him meeting Zardari at the Presidential Palace. Up from the back come a couple of the personal protection officers - all tooled up with MP5's. They are much more concerned here about safety than anywhere else so far.
All clear, we head down the back stairs to a waiting car with escort and move off. Turning onto the main road to Islamabad we are stopped by a Police officers saying wait.... 'hold on we have to go'... no wait.... then it become quite apparent why - a generals convoy of 4 Landcruisers whistles past at about 70mph... then another.. Not sensible to get in their way. Finally we get under way and as the roads have been closed are at the Palace gates in no time at all. And who should turn up there but Chiade. Looking very well and having left little Micah alone with the nanny for the first time. Just like old times.
Once Brown turns up we set up and wait outside for the press conference to finish and then do a live or two and have a spot of lunch that was brought out to us....
Gary obvious telling one of his large stories again.
A very concerned Chris from ITN on the phone to London trying to get his stuff away.
The view from the Presidential Palace. I'm so envious of such a stunning and fantastic .... errr words fail me.
Rushed by No 10 to pack up and go - we go back to the plane, having past the honour guard before boarding we are greeted by the cabin staff with glasses of champagne and bacon sandwiches. After an early morning after a long day and a late night, being rushed from here to there and now knowing we had finished one of the finest meals ever. And safe in the hands of a fantastic BA crew.
A few hours into the flight its quiz time - one of the Downing Street Press Officers has come back with a bottle of bubbly signed by Mr B as first time. Given the fact we have been to South Asia its about curry's - well loosely. With a little help from their friends at Sky and the BA crew - ITN wins. Well they need all the help they can get at the moment!!
Having handed in our passports when we got on the plane on Friday we were finally handed them back - all stamped and everything - just before we landed. No immigration, no customs.... despite the miles, and hours, a pleasant way to travel. We landed back at the Royal Suite at 7.30 pm Sunday night. 10,100 miles (averaging 190 mph all the way), 3 planes, 6 stops, lots of champagne, a few bacon rolls later - phew.
John and I then got told off for walking out - ooops. Not just told off but chased in a car and bundled into the back of it. Apparently you're not allowed to do that.... 'you must be driven'. Oh well.
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