Day 1, Here We Go!

Frank's Shuttle to the West Palm Beach airport was coming to pick us up at 3:30 p.m. but, thank goodness, arrived early. I would much rather sit at the airport than watch past episodes of "24". Just waiting around is work! We travel much better by leaving in the dark of early morning!

Because we had First Class Tickets (thanks to American Express Rewards) we got to take advantage of the Sky Miles Lounge which I had totally forgotten about. What a perk--Free WI-FI, newspapers, magazines, drinks and food. And it was so quiet away from the normal airport noise. But sometimes you have to give up one thing to get another--right? Our flight to Atlanta left late due to weather delays. When making a connecting flight is there ever too much time between flights?

We landed in Atlanta at 9:15 p.m. instead of 8:00 p.m. Of course, the terminal for International flights was Terminal 5 and we landed at Terminal 3. At the Atlanta Airport that means a long walk to the center of the arrival terminal, down a long escalator, catching the next train that runs between terminals, up a long escalator to that center, and a long walk to the gate for the continuing flight. On a good day, 60 minutes could even allow a drink and/or restroom break. Our cardiac training really paid off! We sprinted to our gate out of breath just as boarding started, walked right on and collapsed. Not a great way to start our 30 day adventure.

One of the great advantages of First Class is the food service on long flights. One of the disadvantages is dinner at midnight, Florida time! But how can my husband refuse appetizers, soup, salad, steak and 4 choices of wine. Yes, WE ate everything!! But it was hard to sleep after that meal and then breakfast came much too early for our stomachs--it was now 5:00 a.m. EDT, May 7.

WE ARRIVED--and are now on the National Express bus to Oxford. It is cool and overcast--a perfect English day. Jacket weather! What a fantastic change from the 90 degree Florida heat we just left. From landing, thru customs to the Heathrow Connect train to the Central Bus Station to the Oxford bus was only 60 minutes. And 70 minutes to Oxford, HURRAH!!

The countryside is SO green with spring trees and shrubs in bloom. There are some shrubs I remember from growing up in Ohio! I wonder if Mom remembers the name of them?

Don is trying out the Tom-Tom to make sure she (named Susan) really know we are in England. I was hoping for a really English accent but no luck on that so far. Since we only got the GPS 2 days ago the fact it really works is wonderful. And another good thing--Don hasn't had any trouble with the language so far (except for the announcements by the bus driver).

Notes for future trips: Bring in carry bag if possible--Hand lotion, hand sanitizer gel, makeup, dental floss, clothespins for car seat belt, zip lock bags. Make sure DS has his own ballpoint pen.