August 6, 2008 Carlisle to Home

I didn’t sleep well. It didn’t help that our wakeup call came 15 minutes early, at 6 am. We hauled our bags over to the station, and up and over a big ramp over the tracks to the other side. Now THAT was some exercise! We then walked back over (MUCH easier without the luggage!) and got some water. Our train arrived and we quickly loaded our bags and found our seats. This was a nice train, very comfy seats with a table. We had a full English breakfast of sausage (yucky!) bacon (OK…), rosti potatoes, fried eggs (not for me), toast, OJ, and hot chocolate. Mom and Deb decided they needed more leg room, so they moved a few seats up. I wasn’t happy about that, since it meant splitting up for the last part of our trip. But later, Daddy and Deb traded seats, so I got to visit with Deb awhile.

We arrived in London and loaded all the bags on a trolley. We had hoped the driver would have room for Deb and her bags, so we could all go out to Heathrow together, but alas, his minivan was too small for all the luggage we had. So we had to say goodbye at the train station,. Deb was staying in London another day, so she headed off to her sister-in-law’s mother’s house. We had the car service out to Heathrow, with a very nice Afghani driver who chatted with Mom about the war and his country.

We checked in and made our way to the VIP lounge, where we found that at least half of the computers had their internet not working. Finally, a girl who was finished with the one she was using gave it to me and it worked fine. I had no important email anyway, so I just checked the weather. It was nearly time to board, so I grabbed a bag of crisps (chips) for a snack since I didn’t know when they’d feed us on the plane. We had to go down steps (the escalator was broken), and I got to lug Daddy’s carryon so he could help Mom. We had to take a bus out to the plan out on the tarmac. What the heck? Then, poor Mom, we had to climb 24 steps up to the plane! Didn’t these people ever hear of the concept of jetways??

Our seats were less than optimal. Mom had been assigned 10D, and we couldn’t change that assignment. But Daddy and I were supposed to be 10E and 10F, both of which face backwards. NOT gonna happen! So Mom and Dad sat together in 10G and 10J, and I took 10D. Not a good move—I wasn’t real happy flying “alone”. It was chilly on the plane, but not too bad with an extra sweater and a blanket. It took FOREVER to take off, and the flight attendant had taken my purse before we taxied, so I had nothing to read! About 20 minutes after takeoff, the seat belt light was still on, but people were getting up and moving around. I stood up to get my purse so at least I’d have my book, and the flight attendant told me I had to sit down. I was pretty peeved—why could the other people get up, but not me? Finally, after about 45 minutes, they turned off the seat belt sign, and I was able to get my book.

They served lunch and I just ate what they had—chicken, potatoes, 2 rolls, and I even ate the chocolate mousse and the 2 chocolate candies. (Emotional eating much?) The movie turned out to be Made Of Honor, which was filmed partly at Eilan Donan Castle. It was so cool to see places I’ve actually been! The movie was so-so, even with McDreamy in it. After the movie, I napped for awhile, and read for awhile. For afternoon tea I had some mozzarella and veggie salad (so-so), and a scone with cream and jam (yummy!) I realized that I’d had almost no water and hadn’t done any walking on the plane. I was too full to drink, but I got up to walk. I could tell my tea wasn’t sitting well, and wasn’t surprised to see it again.

We landed on time, our bags all arrived safely (and even came out early!), and I turned on my phone to find that my limo driver was sending someone else, even though I’d specifically requested that he come himself. I was NOT happy. Guess I’ll need to find a new limo service. I went through customs with no problems, and then connected with the limo driver so he could find me. I returned my voicemails on the way home, and got in around 7. The house was empty, and so quiet with no kids, no dog. I can’t believe this trip is already over!