Up at 2:30, Babe and I join several others from our group in the lobby a half-hour later to leave for the airport. After a brief glitch — it is way too early in the morning — that complicates Babe’s clearance to enter the airport, we wait in line to be processed through. Next, security. Babe and I both have our carry-on luggage searched and rescanned. By the time we reach our gate, we discover our plane is delayed due to heavy snow in London. No worries. After a cup of hot chocolate, Helen, Carly and I go off in search of the airport spa for neck and foot massages. There is even time to spare.
Finally, we board our plane — more than two-hours later than scheduled. My seat and seat mate are almost identical to the flight from London to Chennai two-weeks earlier. Thankfully, the flight is wonderfully uneventful and I am able to get about 5-1/2 hours of sleep. Upon landing Babe and I discover that our connecting flight to Los Angeles has also been delayed due to the snowy winter conditions. Whew!
When we are cleared to board our flight to Los Angeles, much to my delight I have been upgraded to business class! Secluded in my "pod," after a lovely dinner and movie, the flight attendant shows me how to transform my seat into a bed. I awake a good six-hours later in time for breakfast — feeling refreshed. |
Having missed my 8PM shuttle from LAX to home, I confirm a reservation on the 10PM shuttle. Soon thereafter, Babe and I discover our luggage did not arrive with us — strange because there was plenty of time between our delayed flights. Oh well . . . after filling out the necessary paperwork at Baggage Claim, we zip quickly through customs — clearly no luggage means no hold ups there! Pretty brilliant, actually.
With 30 minutes to spare, Babe and I say our good-byes. She heads to catch a nearby hotel shuttle for the night, while I go off to meet the shuttle. Curiously, I am the only passenger on the shuttle, which gives me plenty of room to stretch out and bask in the silence as we head north.
Arriving in the Santa Ynez Valley at 1 AM, my pup Peetie and his sitter Brendan are there to welcome me home — only two-hours later than expected. It feels good to be back home and snuggling with Peetie! All is very good . . .
With 30 minutes to spare, Babe and I say our good-byes. She heads to catch a nearby hotel shuttle for the night, while I go off to meet the shuttle. Curiously, I am the only passenger on the shuttle, which gives me plenty of room to stretch out and bask in the silence as we head north.
Arriving in the Santa Ynez Valley at 1 AM, my pup Peetie and his sitter Brendan are there to welcome me home — only two-hours later than expected. It feels good to be back home and snuggling with Peetie! All is very good . . .