we are off!

Wow what a day it has been today! It was unusually calm in the house this morning as we had checked the weight of our cases last night and all four of the big ones were just under 23k. But that was by our scales. Our hand luggage had to be reduced to 15 lbs about 7k. Now that was challenging but we managed it. Shauna, Sophia and Lilly came about 11.15 and Paula, Nathan, Alex and Emily just gone 12. By the time we packed the car it was 12.17pm, yes I know I’m being a bit precise but we need to get to the airport in plenty of time or I would panic!!!! Of we set and there was road works along the A4 so we were help up for 15-20 mins, that was okay, no need to panic. Calm is the name of the day. (NOT) So we arrived at the airport in plenty of time. Chelle, Brian and Beth were there to greet us. We checked in ok, although one of the bags was slightly over 23k. But that was ignored, phew! Marc, Fe, Ceejay, Saffy and Quinn, arrived just gone 2, still plenty of time so we all went upstairs for a drink. Sorry Shauna I forgot to say thanks for the hot chocolate it was yummy. But the next part is so, so sad. Nikki, Graham, Abbie, Jack, Adam, Joshy, Ollie and Bella were stuck in traffic at Southampton for over an hour and no way were they going to make it to the airport before we left. So they turned around and went home. We did say bye on the phone, But……. Now the really hard part all the goodbyes to everyone. Took a while then we went through security turning around to wave on route. When we finally got through to the end and collect all our stuff we turned to wave to our family. Well we waved and they all shouted bye for quite a while. It did make the security staff smile and me cry, well sob actually. So off we go immediately to gate 43, they were ready for us. So along moving escalators up moving stairs in fact we got over half way there. Took about 10 mins. HELP I’ve left my jacket in Paula’s car. I ran back to the lounge while on the phone to Paula. It was an awful race against time and I was exhausted but I made it and we finally got on the plane. What an amazing flight the service was brilliant and friendly. The food good, even Peter enjoyed the chicken casserole. The chocolate orange ice cream was delicious. Air New Zealand is the way to travel. Hope our next flight is as good. When we get to LA we have to go through normal passport control then we have to collect our checked in baggage hand it over to the next flight desk then go outside and upstairs to check in for our next flight. Sounds simple! Hopefully I then will have time to post this blog. Now for a few hours shut eye.

Well that didn’t happen. I got the internet working but it was not strong enough to post to the this blog. And I definitely did not get any sleep. The rest of the journey was long, very long. It was a night time 13 hour flight and both Elder Saunders and I only had about 2 hours sleep. But a treat was in store for us when we arrived……… to be continued!