And they’re off
By mcdog | March 15, 2007
I’m up as soon as the alarm rings at 0500. Heat up a couple of espressos in the microwave and take one up to Herself. She’s already moving. Good sign.
A few minutes later and there are throwing-up noises emanating from the bathroom. She blames the salmon from last night but turns out it’s a stomach bug. Just what we need. We’re leaving for the States in a few minutes and she’s throwing-up. I’m told to keep going – we’ll be fine.
T arrives with the transport and in a few minutes we’re loaded and heading down the road to Heathrow. It’s a beautiful morning, especially for the beginning of March, sunny and reasonably warm. Something that we’ve noticed since moving south from Scotland into the more balmy climes of England is the number of people(especially postmen) cutting about in shorts – in February/March. Bizarre and not at all British, something should be done about it.
A couple of hours later and we are between Loughborough and Coalville heading south on the M1. The northbound side of the motorway is empty except for a few vehicles finishing cleaning the road of spilt fuel. We hope it’s fuel and not body parts! There was an accident ‘late last night’ and eight hours later they are just finishing the clearing of the road. We ring a few people who live nearby but nobody can give us any more details.
Stop to get some breakfast at Watford Gap. I’ve not been in here since I used to hitch-hike up and down the M1 – decades ago.
We make it to Heathrow with two hours to spare – so four hours before our flight leaves then. We wander into the airport, well what’s the rush, and a very helpful employee of Virgin Atlantic helps us use the machines to check-in. We do the usual airport shuffle, eating, drinking, buying things to read on the plane, people watching, generally killing time.
The flight is excellent, the Virgin Atlantic cabin staff are helpful and polite, a contrast with the British Airways flight we took last year, and we have four seats between us and lots of leg-room. We watch movies, doze and read – normal activities on a long-haul flight. The food isn’t great but the choc-ice is a nice touch.
We get through customs and immigration with no hassles and walk out to be met by S who drives us through the evening traffic to the place they rent at Santa Clarita. After a few bottles of Fat Tire beer we crawl into bed for a deep sleep.
Topics: states01 | 1 Comment »
March 16th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Postmen should not be allowed to wear shorts.
Ever.
Happy wanderings, you two!