Friday 18th June 2010

It is difficult to sleep when you dont have an actual alarm clock to wake you up in the morning, which is the case in hotel rooms nowadays.  You can set the tv to switch on at a certain time, but I am always worried that I set it incorrectly and wont wake up in time.

I didnt have to worry because the sun comes up very early and sets late in the UK right now.  At 10pm last night you could still see outside and the sun was up about 5am.  I had set the alarm on my phone, which works overseas, for 7am and we were all awake before that.  We watched a bit of British tv and then went down for breakfast.  There was a good spread on and I tucked into eggs and bacon and sausage as well as croissants with butter and marmalade and a couple of cups of tea.  What a lot you are saying.  Well, the reason for stuffing myself with such delicious food was the length of time before the next meal.  Our flight wasnt until noon and then there would be a delay before getting a meal on the plane.  So there is method in my madness.

We decided to get the 9am bus back to the airport and were the only customers only it.  The boys like to sit on the back seat, which is higher than the rest and bumper!  Once at the airport we tried to go through security to be told we had to go back to a check in desk, even though we had boarding passes already.  This worried me a bit, but discovered we had to check in so our luggage would be put on the plane.  I will remember this for next time.  Once through security we were in terminal 5 and had a good chance to look around the shops and spend the last of the holiday money.  Thorntons toffee and fudge being very popular.  I always buy books as well, because I like certain British authors.  So our backpacks were jammed full by the time we got on the plane.

This flight was 7 hours long, took off on time and had the proper food.  We watched some films, ate the food, slept and were very glad when we touched down.  Of course it was hot and humid when we arrived back in Philadelphia and this didnt help when we had to wait 45 minutes to get through immigration.  We all go through the American line, as I have a green card, but I think the visitors line went faster!

We dashed off to the toilets before getting our luggage and then through customs and finally out to find my husband.  After a long hours drive home we were welcomed home by the dogs and I started to unpack.  I have to do this to keep me awake.  Even though we slept in a hotel overnight the time difference, 7 hours, really wears me out.  Plus all the sweets and biscuits need to be put in the fridge.

It was a great holiday, very relaxing and refreshing.  I enjoy being clean, smelling nice and wearing nice clothes and getting to see my parents.  I only get to see them in person twice a year.