So I’m writing this from a much colder place even given the unseasonable weather we had in Orlando.<\/p>\n
The final day was pretty uneventful.\u00a0 We managed to pack everything – just – but had to expand both our cases.\u00a0 They didn’t weigh very much though, both under 23kg even though we had a 32kg limit in Premium.\u00a0 Paul seemed to end up with most of the presents as I had to get all my own purchases in!\u00a0 We did bring our small cases too.\u00a0 We ended up with everything except my teddy packed.\u00a0 Since the world and his wife seem to have more then 1 piece of hand luggage on most Orlando flights – especially cuddly Disney toys – I decided to carry him (him doesn’t have a name yet and needs one).<\/p>\n
We packed the owners closet and tidied the house and were all ready to leave at about 2pm.\u00a0 Paul managed to have one last swim which was good.<\/p>\n
We decided to go over to the FL Mall again as I wanted to get something for my Brother.\u00a0 We managed to do so and also found something else for him in Macys.\u00a0 I don’t think he’ll read this blog but I best not say just in case.\u00a0 We’re still 2 presents short so will have to do some shopping at home.<\/p>\n
We left the mall and had some lunch at McDonalds (yet more unhealthy stuff).\u00a0 The traffic was absolutely horrendous – no idea where everyone was going on a Saturday at 5pm but it was the busiest we’ve ever seen it so we set out for the airport.<\/p>\n
We dropped the awful car back at Dollar; it really had been bad and was on its last legs.\u00a0 We checked in quite quickly at the Premium queue but sadly there were no upgrades or exit seats available.\u00a0 We had about an hour to kill before boarding and with no lounge access decided to try and find a quiet part of the airport away from the “marauding” brits.\u00a0 We found somewhere and Paul could log into his laptop so the hour went quickly.<\/p>\n
The other Virgin flights were all very delayed.\u00a0 We found out later that Gatwick had been closed for 5 hours Friday causing the delays but we never found out why.\u00a0 The Gatwick flight was not scheduled to take off until 11:30pm so we were so grateful we weren’t on that.\u00a0 The early Manchester flight was delayed to about the same time as ours so we were lucky really.\u00a0 We got to the gate about 8pm – it was heaving!\u00a0 They had delayed boarding until 8:40 so more waiting!<\/p>\n
Because of the tail winds the flight time was set to be just over 7 hours – that’s well quick from Orlando.\u00a0 We eventually got on and away on what was to be a bumpy flight.\u00a0 Paul had checked the flying websites he uses so we expected it.\u00a0 It was ok to begin with right until just after dinner.\u00a0 Dinner was horrible BTW.\u00a0 Paul had a seafood option which he couldn’t even eat and I had a chicken dish that looked like a Denny’s senior meal!\u00a0 Both were pretty foul and we were glad of the cheese and biscuits to fill us up.\u00a0 After dinner I went to the loo and got about 2 steps before the Captain turned on the sest belt sign – typical.\u00a0 It was then on for about 2 hours and whilst bumpy sometimes it was quite smooth for a lot of it.\u00a0 People were going to the loo despite the sign being on – Paul being one of them!\u00a0 The flight path took us high; up the Eastern seaboard coast and over just under Iceland.\u00a0 The belt sign went on a few times but it was never really bad, just mildly bumpy.<\/p>\n
We couldn’t sleep much in those seats – we missed our flat beds and duvets – so listened to our ipods.\u00a0 We landed at 10am to a cold and misty Manchester.\u00a0 We quickly got through immigration despite not using the IRIS channel – we couldn’t find it to be truthful!\u00a0 Then got to the luggage belt.\u00a0 My case came off in about 10 mins then we waited, and waited, and waited…….\u00a0 We both started to get a bad feeling that the case with all the gifts in had gone walk about.\u00a0 There were still lots of people around and cases being unloaded so we had no choice but to wait.\u00a0 I thought I saw it at one point but it never seemed to come back around if I did.\u00a0 Eventually after about 45 mins it turned up.\u00a0 How on earth they get so seperated I don’t know.\u00a0 Just another reason to go back to upper class with priority bags!!<\/p>\n
We got out of Manchester at about half 11 and were home by 1pm.\u00a0 We did little but sleep, unpack and sleep some more.\u00a0 We even heard the X Factor results on the Radio on the way home so that was spoiled for us!!<\/p>\n
It’s all becoming a distant memory now….for 6 weeks anyway….bring on January!!<\/p>\n
I’ll have no one to type to but may keep a journal anyway….<\/p>\n
Until then….<\/p>\n
moscow<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
So I’m writing this from a much colder place even given the unseasonable weather we had in Orlando. The final day was pretty uneventful.\u00a0 We managed to pack everything – just – but had to expand both our cases.\u00a0 They didn’t weigh very much though, both under 23kg even though we had a 32kg limit … <\/p>\n