Home Sweet Home

I'm glad to be home finally. Thursday was spent unpacking, picking up and sorting through my mail, and getting a few groceries.  And of course about a 3 hours nap in the afternoon.  Friday morning I went out to see my mom and reassure her that I was in fact finally home, no worse for the wear.  I went in and worked a half day on Friday.  It gave me some time to slowly clean up my email and get ready to face Monday.
Today I did a little more shopping and laundry and have finally figured out how to add pictures to my blog.

I wasn't sure if I should just start adding photos now, but decided to go back and stick them in where they belong in my blog, with additional commentary.  So if you're interested you'll need to look back.  Pictures really start with York day trip.

Cheers!

Home Again, Home Again

Well the title says it all. There was some confusion on Wednesday morning about whether the flight was going to go.  After calling a local number for Delta and spending an hour on hold, they confirmed that the flight was going to go.  I wasn't sure how long the lines would be so I went to Paddington Station about 9:30 to catch the Heathrow Express.  I was amazed how few people were on the train, and even more surprised at how few people were at the airport.  It only took about 10 minutes to check in and get through security.  That's a first.  I then settled in to wait for the gate to be announced.  Flight left on time. 

Atlanta is where things started to go awry.  The flight was half an hour late leaving.  By the time we arrived in Detroit, I got out of the back of the plane, and got my luggage, the last Michigan Flyer bus was gone!!  That was it, I had reached the end of my rope.  I had been up at least 18 hours and was the last person left at the airport.

Finally after having a bit of a breakdown, I found some pay phones (a rarity in these days of cell phone) that I could use my credit card on.  I tried Dennis, but of course his cell was probably turned off.  So I bit the bullet and call Mike and he said he would come down and pick me up.  I can't say thank you enough Mike.  Once again you were the white knight who came to my rescue. 

Got home about 3 am and fell into my nice big bed and slept like a stone.  I was up about 7:45, although I still feel like I'm walking on eggshells.  Will be back at work on Monday.

All in all it was a wonderful trip, but think I will keep future adventures continental.

Will try to finally add some pics to my blog.

Cheers!

April 21

So far the news is good.  Flights are going out.  It is 7 am right now.  Only was able to sleep about 2 hours last night.  That's ok, I can sleep when I get home.  I am fighting running to the airport now, flight isn't until 1:20 pm so will try not to leave before 9:30 for Paddington Station to catch the Heathrow express.  All in all it's been a lovely trip, one last big international adventures.  Think I will find my adventures closer to home from now on.  Hope to see you all soon.  Jackie

April 20

Today should have been the day I flew out.  Have found some flights on expedia so I am going to call Delta this morning to see if I can arrange something.  All depends on the "*~# ash cloud.

UPDATE

Did some checking online this morning at the Delta site and arranged a flight to 4-21 from London Heathrow to Atlanta and then from Atlanta to Detroit.  Won't get into Detroit until 10 pm but atleast I will be on American soil.  Although, I must say most people have been nice.  After all, there isn't really much we can do about the volcano.  Patience is the think most needed.  With my flight confirmed I went over to Hyde Park again today. It was amazing how much the possibility of having a flight arranged can lift your spirits.  I have tried not to spend any more money on shopping or doing things just in case this extends.  Fortunately money isn't the issue for me, like it is for some of the people I've met here.  If the flight is cancelled tomorrow, which is still a possibility, I may go to the British museum.  I had a walking tour there last week and wouldn't mind going back. But for now I am planning on getting up early to check the news to see if the flight is still a go.  Is so I will head to the airport as soon as possible.  The flight isn't until 1:20 pm so we will see.

Dreamed last night that I brought a baby dragon home for Jack, my great nephew.  It was a cross between a cartoon one and a real one.  I guess the anxiety is beginning to play with my mind.  That really isn't too difficult.

And I keep wondering why when I travel over here I always seem to get a twin bed whose legs are longer along the wall than the other side.  At least that is the way it seems.  It always feel like I'm sleeping on a hillside.  Probably just my imagination, looking forward to getting home to my nice big double bed.

Can't imagine what I will owe Sue, the other faculty secretary, when I get back. I have been weeding through my work email daily and hopefully my faculty haven't needed too much help.

Well, time is running out on the computer.  It costs £1 for 30 minutes in the business center, and there is no way to print anything, so if I want to I have to go around the corner to the internet cafe and wait in line there.  But at least there is that possibility.

Cheers!

Not Having Fun Anymore

Well, it's official, I'm not having fun anymore.  Well, not really, but it is getting more stressful. This morning I awoke to the news that flights are now cancelled through 1 am on Tuesday.  My flight is scheduled for 9 am Tuesday.  I got a sweet email from my niece today that cheered me up.  Evidently she and her husband were talking about the volcano and that Aunt Jackie might be stuck on this island.  Jack, 3 years old, right away said that "You need to go rescue Aunt Jackie." How wonderful.  He's the one who evidently made the comment that, men drive trucks, women drive cars and aunt jackie drives a lady truck.  You see I drive a small Colorado pick up with 2 quilts painted on the tailgate.  Guess that qualifies it as a "lady truck".

I am going to have to try to contact Delta and Expedia today and maybe the american embassy as well. I really don't want to go to the trouble of going from the UK to France and then on to Spain to find open air space. Evidently I was just talking to a young american couple here from Colorado.  They checked with the desk about extending their stay and were told they had to call a booking agent to see if they could extend.  I think I will check with the Columbia and Westminster where I have stayed before to see if they have rooms and the cost. I keep telling myself I can deal with this but am not totally convinced.

UPDATE:  I was able to book another night at my current hotel.  But still hoping that my flight goes out tomorrow.  Guess I've done all I can for now.  I'll have to wait until morning to see if they have lifted the ban.  Guess I'll set the alarm for 4 am so I can check and make sure I have enough time to get to the airport if it is a go. Will go rest and relax for a little while before deciding what to go about supper.  Went down to Covent Gardens this morning for a little while to occupy my mind.

Well, wish me luck.

Picture Perfect Sunday in London

I wasn't sure today about my flight on Tuesday, so decided maybe I should do laundry in case I'm stuck here, oh dear!, a couple of extra days.  The laundry was absolutely packed this morning.  Germans, Italians, Americans.  Didn't take too long and then I was on my way.

Sundays are the day that artists from all over set up on Bayswater along Hyde Park and exhibit/sell their work.  After I dropped my laundry at the hotel I headed over to the park.  It was another beautiful day.  My fleece vest and short sleeves were perfect.  After looking at the artwork I walked through the park.

Must admit that I am feeling a little home sick.  All the flowers in bloom reminded me of all the work in my garden that is waiting for me when I get back.  Part of it may also be apprehension over my flight on Tuesday.  I checked Delta tonight and it doesn't say anything about the flight being cancelled.  But I will check again tomorrow.

Dinner tonight at Bella Italia.  The streets are just packed with tons of people enjoying the weather.

Tomorrow I will visit Covent Garden again and maybe go to Greenwich.  Will check my email first thing to see if there is anything from the airline.  Picked up a Magner's on my way back tonight.  Guess I will finish up and go enjoy.

Cheers!

Saturday Second Portobello Road and Tea in Kensington Gardens

Went to Portobello Road for a second and final time today.  The weather seemed chilly but I was sorry after a short distance that I hadn't worn my fleece vest instead of my leather coat.  Today the weather was ideal.  Bright, clear skies, and about 68 degrees.  I walked Portobello road from stem to stern.  From the antique shops and street venders through the fruit and veggie venders and up all the way through the flea market and back again.  Picked up just 2 items.  Took my time so I didn't get back to Bayswater road until almost 1 pm. 

Sorry it's sideways, but this is a rose bush that has taken over a wrought iron fence on the way up Portobello Road.

Tile floor inside one of the antique shops on Portobello, good quilt inspiration.

Instead of a sandwich I decided to go through the Kensington Gardens to the Orangery where they serve tea.  I was a little too hungry for just tea, so ordered grilled portobello mushrooms with mashed potatoes, and green tea.  Decided to walk through the park awhile and then went back to the hotel to switch coats.

I went out again and took the tube down to Marbel Arch and walked from there to Bond street.  The streets and shops are mad crowded so I just decided to come back to the hotel, but came throug Hyde Park.  Everyone was out and rejoicing in the wonderful weather.  Had planned on going to Bella Italia for supper but they took too much time to acknowledge me so I thought I remembered a fish &chip shop about 2 blocks away that I had been to last time on Dennis's recommendation.  Mr. Fish was still there so I had cod and chips.

Stopped at Tesco (grocery store) to pick up more water and then headed back to hotel.  The news that greeted me was that all flights were grounded until Monday am because of the volcano.  My flight is/was scheduled for Tuesday am.  So am still not sure if it will be a go because the volcano keeps erupting.  Sure am glad I took out insurance on this trip.  Probably tomorrow I will get my flight information out and do some checking on the internet.  For now it's Keep Calm and Carry on.

Hope to see the Stars at our meeting Tuesday night.  It is this Tuesday isn't it.  But then maybe not.

Cheers!