Day 25 – 31st August – farewell new family – hello old friends
John was having a meeting with some locals at 11am in their lounge room so Hilary and I took a walk. We actually walked for around three hours around the old town and then made our way back home. Passing many very big, beautiful and what looked to me VERY expensive homes. Basically all mansions.
Hilary and I stopped for a coffee in a quaint little cafe then made our way back home. Had a bite to eat for lunch then my bags were into the car and then we’re off on the M25 and M23 to the Holiday Inn at Gatwick. It took about an hour in a nice Jaguar and I’m saying goodbye to my newly found cousin.
I waited for a few minutes until the guy at the reception desk was available then went through the process to book in only he couldn’t find a booking for me!? He looked for many minutes then asked who ID booked through. When I said Bookings.com suddenly he can find me. ?? I said I had friends who would be arriving shortly and would there be any way I could find out where their room might be. Then he said he’s put me next to them! Anyway room 528 on the fifth floor.
All settled in and I am back down to get a Johnnie Walker and coke. It turned out that the Skellies arrived at about seven. More stories to tell. Jimmy had had a fall at the escalators in Manchester when they were about to catch the train. It had really affected all of them. Apparently he was further up the escalator with his case in front of him. Di with her case behind him. But something happened that made him fall backwards and Di managed to stop his case from falling back but Jimmy actually somersaulted and landed behind her at the bottom of the escalators. A quick thinking security guard stopped the escalator and Jimmy apparently jumped up shrugging it all off saying he was alright.
BUT the edges of the stars had punctured his arm so that he kind of looked like he had a barcode across his arm. Also his elbow was bleeding. The security guard cleaned him up and they continued their journey. In the train someone was sitting in their seats. So it ended up Di and Vicki had a seat but I think both the boys stood up for the whole journey. Not a good ending to the British section of the journey.
We had dinner and caught up with our news then arranged to meet at nine in the morning. 13,589 steps.
Day 26 – 1st September – Porto – watch out Europe here we come!
Awake at 3am and stayed awake. We were all ‘very ready’ for the shuttle bus at nine. Tom and Helen had already reached the airport after an early departure from their stay at Pete and Heather’s.
We all met at the South terminal and did the usual- except….Tom and Helen went through pretty smoothly but we were a bit behind them in the line. However, we were all called up together as we were all on the same ticket. A pretty smooth transition apart from an American coming up to the desk to say ‘what’s going on here’. He wasn’t happy that it was taking time for us all to be put through. Haha. The girl was SO lovely and working solo so not her fault. He was ‘really rude’. Onwards and literally upwards on the escalator (maybe a bit traumatic for Jim?). Next to customs where Vicki, Brian and I had to also remove our shoes (Di and Jim didn’t). Weird but everyone through and then we are on the search for Tom and Helen.
‘Obviously’ they are in Wetherspoons. Had our breakfasts and next thing we know it’s time to go to the gate. We aren’t sitting next to each other this time, but it’s only a 2.5 hr trip.
Our gate was announced at 11:15 and soon enough we were boarding. The flight was due to leave at 12:05 but for one reason or another we sat on the tarmac for ages and didn’t take off until 13:05
We are up and flying. I was going to have a hot water but they only serve tea- so I resorted to this:
Turns out Dewar’s Whisky is VERY nice. But I think ‘Maria’ was supposed to have my coke. Haha. (Couldn’t find one that had Heather on it!). Turns out that it’s not just a 21hour flight on which I get bored! It appears that one that is supposed to take 1 hour 50 minutes is also SO boring I want to pull my hair out.
Just wondering about whether ‘another’ trip of a lifetime is comparable to the people and things I’ve left behind? Perhaps it’s the ‘Dewars effect’ or the boredom but I really miss the kids (my grandchildren) AND my kids of course. But ESPECIALLY the GOLF!
Never mind I’m sure that once it’s all over it will seem like it’s just a dream.
Arrived at the airport in Porto, found our luggage and took two taxis to our accommodation. We struggled a bit trying to find our room but we weren’t successful. I went up to double check and came back with the maintenance guy who explained that we were in the correct building but the entrance to the section we were in was around the corner.
When we went around there we found out that the lift wasn’t working. Fortunately three young guys helped bring up the heavy cases (although Brian did bring up a few). It’s very nice. We are staying all together this time. Each bedroom has its own ensuite.
Settled in then headed out to find the local shops. Met up with a couple of ‘semi’ locals who directed us to the local market. I purchased a little bottle of Ginja (a ginger liqueur) Di had a glass of wine, the boys, helen and Vicki had beers whilst they walked around which it seemed did everyone else. I also purchased a container of coconut juice (nice but not cold enough) whilst some nibbly things were tasted by the others, then we left to find somewhere more substantial to eat.
Found a nice restaurant ’bb something (maiorca). Had soup, bread and chips. Also purchased two beautiful little ‘pasteles’
Found a shop to buy some ‘vittals’ passed ‘bb’s’ and waved to the waitresses and came home. Had a nightcap, swapped photos and washed some clothes. 8,500 steps.
An aside: keep having emails from Celebrity – I feel like people mustn’t be taking up much of the offers on board the cruise. Maybe they’ll reduce the costs??? Probably not…
Lady Boomer 