UK Valerie
TRUST NO-ONE
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2002
- Messages
- 119
Saturday 21st June
We set off for the airport early as we had to make a slight detour to Asda at the Metro Centre to get Julie the new Harry Potter book. She was excited about the holiday but was even more excited about Harry Potters next adventure.
We got to the airport early, the idea being check in have a leisurely breakfast with Dave before going to departures. But we are talking Newcastle airport here. What a nightmare. Our queue at check in was the only one not moving. One party of 10 got to the front and were turned away the girl couldnt possibly check in that many people. They suggested that she do 2 groups of 5 but no go to the back of the queue I am not dealing with you. They joined the queue next to us again whilst one of the women went looking for a manager. He listened to them then the check in girl was relieved of her desk. Meanwhile they opened more check in desks but moved the people from the back of the queues to them. The board said we all had to move to the gate but half of the plane were still trying to check in. More desks opened but again the people at the back were moved across and forward not the people who had been there longest at the front who were not moving. Dave and me complained to the manager but nothing was said or done. We were the last to check in and were told to go straight to departures as the plane was boarding. We rushed through said a quick good bye to Dave then went through security to the departure lounge. Oh more security this time I was searched then quickly down the stairs and onto the tarmac and onto the plane. There were cabin crew all over the tarmac directing you where to go, which door to get on. We were row 22 and had to use the back door. Once on the plane there were no staff and everyone was looking for their seats. Oh we are right in the middle of the plane and had to fight past all the people who had entered at the middle of the plane making their way to the back. We finally had our seats, the 3 next to the window so Gary was happy because he claimed the window seat, Julie was in the middle and I was on the aisle.( The party of 5 who were in front of us were spread all over the plane and I was so glad that I had paid to pre book our seats) Announcements were made over the PA could everyone take their seats the plane was about to take off. We missed our take off time as people were still looking for their seats and took off 15 mins late. We had an uneventful flight but thought the entertainment was good because as soon as we took off they put the tvs on and we watched 4 comedy programmes so the first 2 hours went over very quickly. They served breakfast and put on the feature film which was DareDevil then we had more half hour programmes. The main meal was quite nice but the only complaint the kids had was that there was no ice creams brought around. We landed at 5 past 1 25 mins late. We rushed through to customs and had the same man as we had had in March then collected our bags. We were the first ones through Oh no they wanted to search our bags, the nice security lady only opened 1 of them asked a couple of questions then let us go. Got to Dollar first She tried to upgrade us but no I only want a small car and have purposely booked the smallest. Car keys in hand look at watch it is 1.30. We have made the fastest time out of the airport ever.
Found the car oh we have a free upgrade anyway a bigger car with a cd player. Dave had made us some cds and had taped them for us because I was sure our cheap car would only have a tape deck or maybe only a radio. The plan was to sit in the car read the book and wait till everyone had gone but as we were first out I checked where the lights, windscreen wipers and indicators were and off we went. Managed the gate ok and hit the open road. We were doing ok until oh no the road ahead is closed. We followed the diversion signs up some back streets and then we lost them . Kept going along a road which we didnt recognise looking for the 417. Saw a sign for the 415.Gary found it on the map we were going the wrong way away from Disney. Pulled into a street and turned around
And drove back to where we had been. We had done a 10 mile detour and seen parts of Sanford we had not seen before. We finally got on the 417 and then it was plain sailing. It started to rain after about 10 mins on 417 so just as well I had checked out the windscreen wipers. Checked we were going the right way when we hit Lake Jessop and continued on past the turn off for Fattowers then onto junction 3. Managed to stop at the toll booths but was always too far over and the poor people had to lean right out of the window to collect the money. Totally missed the bucket one Gary jumped out and threw the 25 cents in.
We were soon at All Stars Sports and checking in. They never asked to see my annual pass even though I had that rate . I was asked twice did I need help with my bags as I was on my own. I said no as both the bags had wheels and Gary is quite capable of getting them in and out of the car (hes 16 and nearly 6 foot for those who dont know him)
Oh well if you are sure she said here is your room keys Building 1 Surfs up right next to the car park on the first floor. We were close to everything. We moved the car dumped the cases and went to explore. We ate in the food court and got 2 new cups then went to bed for 1 and a half hours. We set our first Mickey wake up call had a quick wash and on the bus for Magic Kingdom and Spectro Magic. We stood in our usual spot at the start . We couldnt get over how warm it was. We were going to stay for the fireworks but we were still tired so decided to go home to bed.
It is great to be back
We set off for the airport early as we had to make a slight detour to Asda at the Metro Centre to get Julie the new Harry Potter book. She was excited about the holiday but was even more excited about Harry Potters next adventure.
We got to the airport early, the idea being check in have a leisurely breakfast with Dave before going to departures. But we are talking Newcastle airport here. What a nightmare. Our queue at check in was the only one not moving. One party of 10 got to the front and were turned away the girl couldnt possibly check in that many people. They suggested that she do 2 groups of 5 but no go to the back of the queue I am not dealing with you. They joined the queue next to us again whilst one of the women went looking for a manager. He listened to them then the check in girl was relieved of her desk. Meanwhile they opened more check in desks but moved the people from the back of the queues to them. The board said we all had to move to the gate but half of the plane were still trying to check in. More desks opened but again the people at the back were moved across and forward not the people who had been there longest at the front who were not moving. Dave and me complained to the manager but nothing was said or done. We were the last to check in and were told to go straight to departures as the plane was boarding. We rushed through said a quick good bye to Dave then went through security to the departure lounge. Oh more security this time I was searched then quickly down the stairs and onto the tarmac and onto the plane. There were cabin crew all over the tarmac directing you where to go, which door to get on. We were row 22 and had to use the back door. Once on the plane there were no staff and everyone was looking for their seats. Oh we are right in the middle of the plane and had to fight past all the people who had entered at the middle of the plane making their way to the back. We finally had our seats, the 3 next to the window so Gary was happy because he claimed the window seat, Julie was in the middle and I was on the aisle.( The party of 5 who were in front of us were spread all over the plane and I was so glad that I had paid to pre book our seats) Announcements were made over the PA could everyone take their seats the plane was about to take off. We missed our take off time as people were still looking for their seats and took off 15 mins late. We had an uneventful flight but thought the entertainment was good because as soon as we took off they put the tvs on and we watched 4 comedy programmes so the first 2 hours went over very quickly. They served breakfast and put on the feature film which was DareDevil then we had more half hour programmes. The main meal was quite nice but the only complaint the kids had was that there was no ice creams brought around. We landed at 5 past 1 25 mins late. We rushed through to customs and had the same man as we had had in March then collected our bags. We were the first ones through Oh no they wanted to search our bags, the nice security lady only opened 1 of them asked a couple of questions then let us go. Got to Dollar first She tried to upgrade us but no I only want a small car and have purposely booked the smallest. Car keys in hand look at watch it is 1.30. We have made the fastest time out of the airport ever.
Found the car oh we have a free upgrade anyway a bigger car with a cd player. Dave had made us some cds and had taped them for us because I was sure our cheap car would only have a tape deck or maybe only a radio. The plan was to sit in the car read the book and wait till everyone had gone but as we were first out I checked where the lights, windscreen wipers and indicators were and off we went. Managed the gate ok and hit the open road. We were doing ok until oh no the road ahead is closed. We followed the diversion signs up some back streets and then we lost them . Kept going along a road which we didnt recognise looking for the 417. Saw a sign for the 415.Gary found it on the map we were going the wrong way away from Disney. Pulled into a street and turned around
And drove back to where we had been. We had done a 10 mile detour and seen parts of Sanford we had not seen before. We finally got on the 417 and then it was plain sailing. It started to rain after about 10 mins on 417 so just as well I had checked out the windscreen wipers. Checked we were going the right way when we hit Lake Jessop and continued on past the turn off for Fattowers then onto junction 3. Managed to stop at the toll booths but was always too far over and the poor people had to lean right out of the window to collect the money. Totally missed the bucket one Gary jumped out and threw the 25 cents in.
We were soon at All Stars Sports and checking in. They never asked to see my annual pass even though I had that rate . I was asked twice did I need help with my bags as I was on my own. I said no as both the bags had wheels and Gary is quite capable of getting them in and out of the car (hes 16 and nearly 6 foot for those who dont know him)
Oh well if you are sure she said here is your room keys Building 1 Surfs up right next to the car park on the first floor. We were close to everything. We moved the car dumped the cases and went to explore. We ate in the food court and got 2 new cups then went to bed for 1 and a half hours. We set our first Mickey wake up call had a quick wash and on the bus for Magic Kingdom and Spectro Magic. We stood in our usual spot at the start . We couldnt get over how warm it was. We were going to stay for the fireworks but we were still tired so decided to go home to bed.
It is great to be back
Wow - that seemed an early flight out - what time was it, Val?
! Just love that feeling 
