The Bit Between

Had most of the bags packed last night so didn't have to rush around this morning, nice to sit on the balcony a while, have breakfast and leave the room with just a few minutes to spare. Of course the two boys were excited to be going home to their XBoxes, Scooters, friends and in Jordan's case his girlfriend. They were up with very little cajoling, unlike previous days. So we packed the car and set off up the I-475 towards Tampa and the airport. A quick stop off for some water and snacks for the airport - and beef jerky for my friend Suze! (Odd girl).

One of the problems we have experienced a few times this holiday was the fact that the POI (point of interest) on the Co Pilot GPS App on the iPhones sent us to the wrong place, even though the zip code was correct. E.g. Legoland and unfortunately Tampa Airport, which wouldn't have been such a problem had we not been running on fumes and had Alexander not been feeling car sick. We were sent to some small housing estate that didn't even resemble a small airstrip. Hubby was stressed and so was I when Alexander began shouting for a bag to be sick in. US city roads are not the places you can easily pull over on, so the snacks were thrown on the floor and a Target Carrier bag used as a receptacle. He felt much better afterwards he said.

We pulled into the car rental garage and hastily wiped the seats down, while emptying the car. Hoping that they didn't notice a slightly acrid aroma in the back. US airports seem to be able to manage the checking in bit of flying better than us, we simply went to the desk, handed over the bags and wandered off into the main concourse. Being an internal flight to Atlanta, we just had to go through security, with minimal fuss. Hopped on the flight, which was about an hour late due to a storm, and began the journey towards the UK.

Delta was quite good on the way to Florida, and we had no complaints other than the fact that a snooty hostie snapped at me for trying to open a closed locker. The Americans take on so much hand luggage that they use all the overhead space. She got a sharp "Don't like the tone of her voice" comment from me! Was given a very quick drink on the hour long flight, but it felt like we just got up there when we were coming back down again. Atlanta was again very efficient, had a few minutes on a shuttle to the international terminal and had a bit of a snack at the food court, mainly for Jordan's benefit as he won't eat airline food. An hour later we boarded the Manchester flight.

So we paid extra for the Economy Comfort seats, knowing that the way home is overnight and if we don't get some sleep its not very pleasant the following day. We boarded after the ones who turn left of course and settled into our seats. Noticing there were a few empty ones around us. We sat a bit longer as take off time approached. The Captain announced that the delay was due to waiting for 15 late passengers. One of which was an American man who unfortunately sat in front of hubby. Obviously a frequent flier and not of a mind to follow the rules. Was up and down, asking for a drink, while making a phone call, as the last passengers came on board. After take off, and before the seat belt sign went off, he decided to fully recline his seat.

We appear to have a rather odd plane today too. The Captain kept the seatbelt sign on longer than usual, delaying the serving of drinks because it wasn't safe to do so, was "a bit bumpy" according to the announcement, however, it wasn't quite as 'bumpy' in the front section, so they were being served theirs they said in the next sentence. Really???

When the drinks came round, the man in front put up his seat while drinking his, then dropped it back making hubby's drink almost fall off the tray. Hubby made a point of whacking his tray back into place rather sharply when getting up to the toilet. I sense a few more similar 'incidents' as the flight continues.

To my left I have a family of four. The mother is sitting with the young daughter who is playing on a DS game that makes a lot of noise, and when talking are practically shouting at each other. Just behind them are a couple of young lads. The one by the window is very nervous of flying, and is fidgeting and fussing all the time. There's quite a lot of turbulence over the Atlantic so this could be a long flight if I don't sleep after the meal.

I did sleep, for all of about 20 minutes, as long as Alexander let me between wriggling and fidgetting as he tried to settle into a comfortable position. I decided to watch 'Bridesmaids' on the iPad. What a funny film. Not usually my kind but it did while away a few hours over the dark Atlantic Ocean. Wasnt long until the smell of breakfast warming up filtered along the rows, and the lights came on.

What followed next was what I call the 'worst time ever'. The three hours drive is like hell. I get irritable, achey, tired, twitchy and could happily punch someone. Hubby starts driving after collecting the car from BIL's, but I often end up driving the last hour or so. Even a stop off for a coffee didnt perk me up much. The relief when I get home is indescribable.

The car empty, I go off to collect Keesha from the kennels. She looks fantastic! I always get her groomed as three weeks in kennels has her looking rather unkempt and a bit smelly. Once we have her back, the family is home and the unpacking can start. Did we really buy all that stuff??? FOURTEEN pairs of shoes/sandals, one pair of football boots, three handbags, two footballs, lots of Fossil jewellry, too many to count T-Shirts, five refillable drinks containers, a souvenir cocktail glass from Universal, and two large Despicable Me cuddly toys (Jordan's girlfriend loves them). One laptop, one iPad keyboard case, five days worth of freebie Aveda toiletries, and a large bag of Tootsie Rolls.

The rest of the day was a blur, so tired but forced myself to stay awake. FIL came round to see us, he loves ro hear what we have been doing and look at the photos, reminding him of the days he and MIL went there sometimes twice a year. Finally, about 11pm I couldnt stay awake any longer and snuggled into my own bed. Nowhere on earth like your own cosy bed!

The End.

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