Sulkyblue - Miscellaneous

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Friday - Travelling

The day started off at 5.30, or actually 4.30 when I woke and couldn't get back to sleep (I'm going to Florida!). It was dark and raining - perfect weather to leave the country! A scarily efficient fast faff led to us leaving at 6.00 and I have to say I was quite happy to just stagger to the car rather than deal with public transport. More dark and rain, but no traffic so got to Gatwick at 7.00 and were at check in by 7.45.

Everything was fast and efficient so we grabbed a fried breakfast at Yates Bar and had a terrible terrible cup of tea. A quick potter around the shops and I'm now sitting with the will to live gradually leaching out of me as we sit waiting for a gate. Only another hour and quarter to kill until take-off. Departure lounges are one of the most soul destroying places in existence, slightly ahead of Motorway service stations.

The plane was an hour and three quarters late departing for various reason which mostly seemed to be that we were ten minutes late and then had to join the back of an epic queue for the runway. If the departure lounge seemed like hell, the plane reached whole new levels. I always feel 'odd' on planes and this one is no exception. Stuck on an inside seat meant no comfy stretching out and I completely failed to be able to concentrate on anything. I couldn't seem to get the volume balance right on the headphones making rather tricky to watch the films. Mr and Mrs Smith seemed ok if rather violent and while others found Wallace and Grommet hilarious, I only found it moderately amusing.

The food was surprisingly good though and I've never been so happy to eat apple and grapes in my life. We landed just after 5pm local (10om for us, 9 hour flight) and plodded through customs, immigration, 2x baggage claim, a monorail and car rental without too much trauma. Got slightly lost on the drive to the hotel thanks to an inability to find the interior light to see the map. Getting lost led to a scenic tour of Kissimee and saving $2 on tolls!

The Fairfield Inn was unexciting but nice. We grabbed a burger in the hotel food court, resisted donuts and were in bed at 10pm, rather early for Florida but definitely needed after 22 hours of travelling.