florida sun
Mrs Christopher Eccleston wannabe!
- Joined
- May 2, 2004
- Messages
- 17,635
Cast of Characters:
Sue - 44 - (Thinks she's 24) Chief Planner, Worrier, and Yo Yo Dieter.
Vicki - 16 - (Thinks she's 26) - Emo,Thrill Ride Seeker and Mums Best Friend.
Well Im sat here tonight after just watching X Factor and thinking what can I do now, well start the trip report of course
So here goes, I do hope you enjoy it.
Friday 27th October 2006
Woo hoo, planning and dreaming of this for so long, after a number of false starts, this day as far as we are concerened is day 1 of our holiday even though its just us going to the hotel at the airport, well you have to make them last as long as possible dont you.
Im up at 7.30am, even though my dad isnt picking us up until 12.15 to take us to Cardiff Station to get to the train to Manchester Airport.
Now Vicki and I havent suffered with any sickness on flights for about 10 years but that doesnt however stop me from having to make a quick dash to the chemist to get some travel tablets, just in case, you understand.So after having a quick cup of coffee taking my 16th call from my mum(just making sure we have everything) and calling Vicki about 20 times to get up(that girl can sleep for Britain, I kid you not) I trot off to the chemist, pick up the travel tablets and call in the bakers on the way back to pick up a cheese and Bacon turnover for Vic and a pasty for me.
Back at the house its now 10.00 am and Vicki is still in her bed, does'nt this girl know we are off on holidays today??
10.30 Vicki arises and informs me that as my dad is'nt picking us up until 12.15 could she not have another hour, "NO YOU BLOOMING CANT" or words to that effect come spilling out my mouth.
After a quick bath and change my girl is ready for the off and now the excitment has begun to kick in. Last posts on the "Dis" to say bye bye and thanks and Dad is at the front door. Now bless him, he has a small Fiesta and looking at my luggage when he walks in through the door worries him as he dont think he will fit it all in. Twenty mins later,1 suitcase in the boot, 1 on the back seat, 1 rucksack and 1 holdall on the back seat, me in the front, we are set to go. Oh no we're not where is Vicki going to sit
, No probs, dad moves over the luggage to allow my girl a small section of the back seat, so with Vickis's nose pressed against the window we are off (good job its not far).
We arrive at the station with plenty of time to spare, kiss Dad bye bye and wait on the platform with a cup of coffee,with the words "If you need anything and need me, then just ring", and me saying "no dad all is fine" ringing in my ears, I start to think, now you know you always get that feeling that you have forgotten something, I turn to Vicki and say " I dont remember turning off my electric blanket (Well Im 44 and these old bones get cold in the winter)
So on the phone to dad who hasnt even got home yet and ask him to check (without looking at the state I left my bedroom in) just so I know the house isnt going to burn down while Im away.
With that sorted we board the train to Manchester airport arriving at about 5.30pm, straight over to the My Travel check in desk to see if we can use the 24 hour check in, we are told we can, but we still have to go to check in tomorrow as because of the heightened security our passports will need to be checked tomorrow by ICTS (whoever they are), but because we are travelling Premium Gold we can go to the Premium line which should be short, we request the back 2 seats of premium and are told unfortunatly that the seats are preassigned before we get there, oh never mind, we are then told we are in row 7 A and B which turns out to be the last row of premium after all, result We like these seats because we can recline without causing any problems to people behind us, we dont like to recline otherwise.
That sorted, bags dropped off, we ask how far it is to the hotel and told we need to take a cab, we are staying at the Travelodge at Manchester Airport but its still about a 10 min cab ride away. We stop first at Burger King to eat as we are not sure if they do food at the hotel.Vicki has a chicken burger and I have a bacon double cheese burger meal, both tasted as though they were made three days ago and are as rubbery as anything
We booked a room at Manchester originally as our flight was 9.20am so we had a great deal at £29.00 for the room, however since that our flight has changed times about 6 times and is currently due to leave at 1.20pm, but as the price of the room is non refundable we decide to still use it and be there for a easy start. To be honest, as you will read in tomorrows report we could have walked to Manchester the morning of the flight and still made it, but thats for another day
Now I think the cab driver took the scenic route as £8.50 later and a trip on the M something or other (I thought this hotel was at the airport) we arrive at the travel lodge and check in. All's well and Vicki decides to make up the sofa bed, well at 16 she decides she is just to big to sleep with mum( I will remind her of that when shes had a bad dream and comes into my bedroom)
Actually the room is very nice, Vicki heads straight onto her laptop, and I have a chat on the phone to Kaylee to let her know we are here and looking forward to seeing her in a couple of days as she is travelling to Gatwick tomorrow for her flight on Sunday. I then have a chat with Karen(miffy2003) who wishes me a safe journey and happy holiday and asks me to pick her up a lucky cat in Japan at Epcot if I can, as hers has broken(not so lucky then hon) which I promise to try and do.
Pop down to reception to book a cab for the morning, we intend to leave at about 9.30am, early I know for a 1.20 flight but gives us chance to have a good look around the duty free we hope. The hotel informs me that they run a shuttle bus and the 2 of us can get to the airport for £6.00, sounds like a good deal to me so we are booked on the 9.40am shuttle.
Im sorry there are not a lot of photos from today as there was'nt much to take however here are a couple with many more to come over the following days.
Vicki at her laptop
Bathroom at the Travelodge Manchester Airport
Bedroom at The Travelodge Manchester Airport.
Watch a bit of TV and a quick phone call home to mum, and fall asleep about 11.15 all ready for our flight tomorrow.
Day 2: Flight Delays , Bored at Airport and the longest flight in history.
Sue - 44 - (Thinks she's 24) Chief Planner, Worrier, and Yo Yo Dieter.
Vicki - 16 - (Thinks she's 26) - Emo,Thrill Ride Seeker and Mums Best Friend.
Well Im sat here tonight after just watching X Factor and thinking what can I do now, well start the trip report of course
So here goes, I do hope you enjoy it.Friday 27th October 2006
Woo hoo, planning and dreaming of this for so long, after a number of false starts, this day as far as we are concerened is day 1 of our holiday even though its just us going to the hotel at the airport, well you have to make them last as long as possible dont you.
Im up at 7.30am, even though my dad isnt picking us up until 12.15 to take us to Cardiff Station to get to the train to Manchester Airport.
Now Vicki and I havent suffered with any sickness on flights for about 10 years but that doesnt however stop me from having to make a quick dash to the chemist to get some travel tablets, just in case, you understand.So after having a quick cup of coffee taking my 16th call from my mum(just making sure we have everything) and calling Vicki about 20 times to get up(that girl can sleep for Britain, I kid you not) I trot off to the chemist, pick up the travel tablets and call in the bakers on the way back to pick up a cheese and Bacon turnover for Vic and a pasty for me.
Back at the house its now 10.00 am and Vicki is still in her bed, does'nt this girl know we are off on holidays today??
10.30 Vicki arises and informs me that as my dad is'nt picking us up until 12.15 could she not have another hour, "NO YOU BLOOMING CANT" or words to that effect come spilling out my mouth.
After a quick bath and change my girl is ready for the off and now the excitment has begun to kick in. Last posts on the "Dis" to say bye bye and thanks and Dad is at the front door. Now bless him, he has a small Fiesta and looking at my luggage when he walks in through the door worries him as he dont think he will fit it all in. Twenty mins later,1 suitcase in the boot, 1 on the back seat, 1 rucksack and 1 holdall on the back seat, me in the front, we are set to go. Oh no we're not where is Vicki going to sit
, No probs, dad moves over the luggage to allow my girl a small section of the back seat, so with Vickis's nose pressed against the window we are off (good job its not far).We arrive at the station with plenty of time to spare, kiss Dad bye bye and wait on the platform with a cup of coffee,with the words "If you need anything and need me, then just ring", and me saying "no dad all is fine" ringing in my ears, I start to think, now you know you always get that feeling that you have forgotten something, I turn to Vicki and say " I dont remember turning off my electric blanket (Well Im 44 and these old bones get cold in the winter)
So on the phone to dad who hasnt even got home yet and ask him to check (without looking at the state I left my bedroom in) just so I know the house isnt going to burn down while Im away.With that sorted we board the train to Manchester airport arriving at about 5.30pm, straight over to the My Travel check in desk to see if we can use the 24 hour check in, we are told we can, but we still have to go to check in tomorrow as because of the heightened security our passports will need to be checked tomorrow by ICTS (whoever they are), but because we are travelling Premium Gold we can go to the Premium line which should be short, we request the back 2 seats of premium and are told unfortunatly that the seats are preassigned before we get there, oh never mind, we are then told we are in row 7 A and B which turns out to be the last row of premium after all, result
We like these seats because we can recline without causing any problems to people behind us, we dont like to recline otherwise.That sorted, bags dropped off, we ask how far it is to the hotel and told we need to take a cab, we are staying at the Travelodge at Manchester Airport but its still about a 10 min cab ride away. We stop first at Burger King to eat as we are not sure if they do food at the hotel.Vicki has a chicken burger and I have a bacon double cheese burger meal, both tasted as though they were made three days ago and are as rubbery as anything
We booked a room at Manchester originally as our flight was 9.20am so we had a great deal at £29.00 for the room, however since that our flight has changed times about 6 times and is currently due to leave at 1.20pm, but as the price of the room is non refundable we decide to still use it and be there for a easy start. To be honest, as you will read in tomorrows report we could have walked to Manchester the morning of the flight and still made it, but thats for another day
Now I think the cab driver took the scenic route as £8.50 later and a trip on the M something or other (I thought this hotel was at the airport) we arrive at the travel lodge and check in. All's well and Vicki decides to make up the sofa bed, well at 16 she decides she is just to big to sleep with mum( I will remind her of that when shes had a bad dream and comes into my bedroom)
Actually the room is very nice, Vicki heads straight onto her laptop, and I have a chat on the phone to Kaylee to let her know we are here and looking forward to seeing her in a couple of days as she is travelling to Gatwick tomorrow for her flight on Sunday. I then have a chat with Karen(miffy2003) who wishes me a safe journey and happy holiday and asks me to pick her up a lucky cat in Japan at Epcot if I can, as hers has broken(not so lucky then hon) which I promise to try and do.
Pop down to reception to book a cab for the morning, we intend to leave at about 9.30am, early I know for a 1.20 flight but gives us chance to have a good look around the duty free we hope. The hotel informs me that they run a shuttle bus and the 2 of us can get to the airport for £6.00, sounds like a good deal to me so we are booked on the 9.40am shuttle.
Im sorry there are not a lot of photos from today as there was'nt much to take however here are a couple with many more to come over the following days.
Vicki at her laptop
Bathroom at the Travelodge Manchester Airport
Bedroom at The Travelodge Manchester Airport.
Watch a bit of TV and a quick phone call home to mum, and fall asleep about 11.15 all ready for our flight tomorrow.
Day 2: Flight Delays , Bored at Airport and the longest flight in history.
