MONDAY 3RD OCTOBER..........
We slept so late today.........we did sleep well, but woke around 5am and took ages to get back to sleep........I cant remember what time we got up but we were shocked..........anyway, we had a lot to fit in this morning........first was a shower. A long shower..........that was so nice....I would definitely miss that one.........Tom got ready too and we didn't even mention at that point it was our last day.
We went up to breakfast, glad we didn't miss that and saw our favourite guy again.........such a lovely young man who has a fabulous future ahead of him.......
We ate slowly and passed the time chatting to staff today, CL was fairly quiet and we were slightly later........we enjoyed cinnamon bun fruit and some meats......and coffee. Then sadly said our goodbyes again........began to feel like Frank Sinatra........
But we went back down to our room and began the daunting task of packing. I still didn't want to think about it......but, we managed it.......our extra case was full to bursting and our 2 regular cases felt very heavy. We did have our own little set of travel scales, a gift form macraven a few years ago, but turns out we had packed them......lol.....not much use to us today. But we hoped we would be ok......if not we would just pay the excess baggage.
So we were now all packed up and ready to go. We went down to check out and I can now feel the sadness building......but today I feel not too bad......cant wait to see our boy again.
We check out and hand over the gifts for the front desk staff that have been so kind and helpful to us.......we do not need to see our friend as we have already said our goodbyes....so we head straight out and down to the car. This is where I feel a smart of tears in my eyes........sunglasses on and we make our walk of shame to the car and get it packed up.
Driving to the airport is always a sombre drive, and today is no different. Such a contrast to the incoming journey that is full of expectation and excitement for what lies ahead........today we feel a little flat.
We return the car and expect the usual "you owe us" scam......but again, Alamo prove to be so different to Dollar and she tells us we owe nothing and have a safe flight home. yay.........
Over to airport and we take our final gulps of fresh air till tomorrow morning where the air will be more than a little cooler.
We get in the queue to drop our luggage and it moves fairly quickly.......I dread our luggage being weighed and when it`s our turn we get the friendly smiley staff member who tells us we`re not too much over an doesn`t charge us anything......the other 2 cases are spot on with weight, almost.
So now we are checked in we go round and head for some lunch. We just eat at the food court and we decide on Panda Express and pray there is no msg in it like they say.........it was lovely and we really enjoyed it along with a final large Fanta. We never feel like taking pictures today.......so no food pics. We sit for a while and watch the world pass by and marvel at all the nationalities and families all prepare for their journey.........
We decide it`s time to wander through security, but first take a couple of pictures of the area........it`s so pretty for an airport
We get through security with minimal fuss today.......shoes off, laptops out...... the usual......but before too llong we are on the little mini monorail heading to our flight.
We head straight into Duty Free and pick up some alcohol......huge Jack Daniels a large Absolute Vodka and 2 Ciroc Vodka......the lady tells us we are over our limit, but it`s never an issue bringing back such a small amount over the limit we can take back into the UK. We will pick this up on the plane.......
Time passes very quickly and they are calling our flight to board.......we are always on last as we have exit row seats......thankfully we have space above to put our hand luggage and duty free........and we get settle in to our seats.
Bit blurry, but this is why we love these seats.......when the chute area is so far away from the seats, you have a huge amount of space in front of you and people are told not to congregate in this area, so it`s ideal and very spacious.
Everyone was boarded promptly and doors closed right on time.........this was what we liked to hear......we were on time and would even land an hour early.......thank goodness for a good jet stream.
We took off and it was to be a short and uneventful flight. We had some food that is never great coming back, which is why we eat something substantial at the airport. I couldn't even guess what the meal was looking at it........so we ordered me a couple of the little bottles of wine and I drank them and hoped to sleep, wishful thinking.
Once the lights dimmed it was quiet apart from one little girl who literally cried all the way home......her mother tried her best, but there was no consoling her........I had noise cancelling headphones on and eventually fell over for a couple of hours. Don't think Tom got more than an hour.
We landed at 5am which was exactly one hour before we were due in.........excellent. Got off almost first and got down to immigration and through in an instant. This was quick.........it`s funny how you should be exhausted but spring to life somehow.......now was the wait for the luggage.....we were always last with this.......so, within a few minutes the carousel started and we couldn't believe our first piece came though.......then the other 2 followed fairly quickly......we were surprised.
Got out and because we had been so smart, our usual breakfast place hadn't even opened yet........but, a quick bathroom visit and when we got back it had opened.
Big mugs of tea and a bacon roll for each of us.........it was delicious........and we so enjoyed our tea after almost 3 weeks of coffee.........when we had finished we walked along the skywalk to The Radisson and picked up the keys to our car.......another bathroom visit and we were on our way........
Roadworks made our journey a little longer, but around 10.30 am, we got back home and hugged the life out of our boy........we were so happy to see him and he was us too. And I have to say, again, the house was immaculate......no laundry waiting either........what a great lad!!!
Instead of going straight to bed, we had a cup of tea with him and began unpacking a little......and caught up with each other.........before long however we began flagging a little and we headed to bed for a much deserved sleep.......I did glance at our master shower and decide it needs changing.......it`s a decent size, but I had been spoiled.....lol......
We slept for 3 hours which we like to do then stay awake till around 11pm and we find that gets us back into some kind of normality and jet lag isn't as bad. We always have a Chinese take out meal on the night we come back, so that's exactly what we do after having unpacked all the laundry and all our purchases........even Kyle was surprised how much we came back with after telling him we hadn't bought that much.
So, that's our trip over for another year...........we had such an amazing time as always. We adore the RPR more than we can say, we are so looked after and spoiled with some amazing staff members who truly are so important to us........they know who they are
Meeting up with friends again is always a high point. Catching up with Todd, macraven, Robo and of course meeting up with Keisha finally was so lovely........I can honestly say Janet`s husband apart from being a lovely gentleman, has the kindest eyes I have ever seen........and you can really see how much he adores his lovely wife. It was real pleasure spending time with everyone even if it was short. Never got to spend the time with macraven that we did the year before, but at least we had some time........sad to miss others like Vicki.........hopefully next time.
HHN was amazing!!!! Not the best year we have gone to, but pretty darn close........Myers house was top for us, but they all had something that made us enjoy it so much. Scare actors again were top notch.
Parks were fabulous despite not being able to ride Dr Doom this year.......but it`s only one ride.......the rest of the time we had in the parks we enjoyed it every time. And getting around Orlando is always fun too. We saw some nice places and had some lovely food and have some very nice souvenirs..........
The title of the thread this year was kinda obvious early on.......so many people recognised me and it was nice speaking to every one of them.........and they all had some kind words which was lovely.
So, finally finished again and I have loved writing this again.......and it has been lovely reading all your lovely comments along the way........I hope you enjoyed my sometime ramblings and many pictures and now I start to look forward to next year.
It is our 25th wedding anniversary and my 50th birthday in September.........we did think about so many other places we could go........but ultimately went for our happy place again. The rest we can do when Tom takes early retirement. So next year we have another 18 nights at RPR starting in September again..........
Hope you can join in with story again then............Thank You for reading this one.........