We had a little lie in but not much, did some packing and got ourselves ready to go down for breakfast. To our disappointment, when we got down there, our lovely Raquel was nowhere to be seen. We had almost finished when she appeared, from a break, I expect but she was waiting the other side of the restaurant!
I'd brought my laptop down to do some blogging and Dud his kindle. We found a table near a plug socket and were busy blogging and kindleing, when Cheryl and Geoff appeared. They asked what time we were getting the shuttle. I said about 1:30. Cheryl reckoned they had to vacate the room bt 1:00, so they would probably be going before us. They said that they had treated themselves to an upper class (I think) upgrade, which gave them access to the hospitality lounge. They thought they could take in two guests, so would we like to join them. How very kind of them and of course we accepted.
Blogging, complete, it was time to finish the last bit of packing and head for the airport. I'm not sure what time we got the airport but as well dragged our cases towards check-in, there were Cheryl & Geoff waiting for us. They confirmed, we were definitely allowed in as their guests and they would meet us after the security checks. Well, check-in seemed to take an awful long time, I think they only had one full time desk open but good as their word, as we exited security, Cheryl and Geoff were waiting to escort us to the lounge, bless 'em. It was a very kind gesture and much appreciated by Dud and I. Thanks again guys.
We chatted, drank beers, ate cheese & crackers and choccy brownies. I took the opportunity to use the free wifi (wife ee, as Johan calls it) to do some blogging as well. I was almost ready to post the next update, when the laptop shut down. The battery had died and my plug adaptors were all packed. Luckily it did retain the update for later submission.
As Dud and I were going to be in Economy class, we thanked Cheryl & Geoff again for their kindness and said our goodbyes. Before long we were on board the aircraft and in the air, at around 5pm local time (1am in blighty). The captain said our flight time would be about 9h45m, getting us into Heathrow at 10:45am the next day, Sunday.
The flight was very smooth. Dud watched some in flight entertainment, whilst I listened to album after album from the Rock collection. We both slept, Dud for longer than me I think, (and they say old people don't need so much sleep!) and before we knew it we were back on the ground at Heathrow.
Passing fairly swiftly through customs, we collected our bags and headed for the way out. Dud's daughter Susie was coming to collect him, with his granddaughters Lucy & Amy. Cath had told me she would be waiting by the flowers & M&S, right where we exited.
As we came out, I looked. Flowers but no Cath. Then Dud saw Susie and they came running to greet him. As I was being introduced to the family, Cath appeared from the sidelines :-) Big hug, big kiss. It was so nice to see her again. More introductions and then we parted company. Dud and I had a handshake and man hug and he thanked me for looking after him. Made me feel quite emotional, soppy old sod (him, not me!). No thanks necessary I told him, it was a pleasure and just wouldn't have been the same without him.
Cath and I hit the Piccadilly Line, then the high speed to Chatham. At Chatham, Cath left me to go into town, whilst I got the bus home. Back indoors, I managed to unpack a little bit and do a bit of blogging, before I decided I needed a nap. After about an hour the phone woke me. Cath was calling to check on me. Another two hours later, I got up and did some more blogging, before sitting down in front of the TV, with some cheese and biscuits, to catch up on some 2 week old British Superbikes. In bed a t 23:00, my alarm is set for 6am. It's work tomorrow. The weather is going to be fine, so I'll get my leg over my new bike for only the second time since I bought it. It'll take me a little longer than two weeks to put 2,700 miles on that clock!
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