We spent much of last weekend running around, trying to cram everything in. The biggest issue it would seem was our luggage. We had way too much stuff to go with us to the UK. I had thought that we had sent all our non essentials on the boat, but as it turns out - a lot of stuff had been crammed into our three suitcases. This included BOOKS which were meant for a book signing and pots and kettles!
So, being liberal with the interpretation of British Airways hand luggage and oversize luggage rules, we bought a new bag on Friday to house the excess items. Upon getting it home we realised that it too was too small and that we would have to get another (bigger) bag if we are to get this all into place. So we returned the pink bag and bought a large black duffel bag instead. It continued to be a constant of weighing and repacking and eventually some things were even discarded. Our relaxing time in the guest house for our last few days in the UK had quickly become stressful and not very relaxing at all. The illness was terrible and certainly detracted from what should have been a special experience.
Sunday morning dawned cold but bright and we awoke knowing that our next awakening would be in the UK - or somewhere over the Mediterranean at least.
Not surprisingly there was even more running around and we went and said goodbye to some people and the dogs. There were many tears shed by Kyra but I was too ill to feel anything except physical misery. Kim was also ill but managed to keep it together very well.
Finally after a final lunch we packed everything into the rental car and headed off to Blouberg. This was our final goodbye to friends there before heading off to the airport. Mila had made some lovely pancakes which we partook of. We also dropped off some bags and boxes at Mila for safekeeping. Mykel-Trent will be picking these up and taking them with to Australia when they return from their African Adventure.
Finally we left Mila and headed off to the airport. I was supposed to return the car filled up with petrol but alas it was not to be. I completely forgot and only once I handed the keys over did I realise that I had forgotten to fill up the car! No big deal, I would pay for it later.
When the car rental agent had taken our keys there were two people standing around offering to help with our trolleys. I told them that I would be OK and that there would be no need for their help, but still they loitered.
Eventually I saw that I was not getting much assistance from elsewhere, so I called them closer to help. Just then the police arrived in a van and warned me that these two men were known criminals and that they would run away with our items at the first chance they were given. The police immediately made the two men do pushups and other physical exercises near their van while we piled all our articles on a trolley and got the hell out of dodge.
Once in the airport we had our duffel bag wrapped and then headed to the BA counter to find out how much extra we would have to pay on the heavy and additional bags. We had a very helpful check-in agent who only charged us for two of the overweight bags and was very kind in letting the one additional heavy bag go through without us having to pay for it.
IT still cost us R2400 for excess luggage though! We also had way too much in the way of hand luggage. It was all within our allowance, but it certainly did take a lot of carrying. By this stage I was sopping wet from sweat. The flight had not even begun!
We passed through security without any hassles and when asked at immigration "when are you coming back?" - Kim piped up "never!" The immigration officer was very friendly and looked quite shocked and he kept up a conversation for quite some time trying to convince us to return. Kyra was quite adamant that she would return, even if it was just for a holiday. This seemed to put him at ease.
We queued and we waited and eventually were shepherded onto the plane. Eventually we settled down for the evening and our flight. The aircraft was exceptionally hot. It would seem the air conditioning was not working properly and things were most uncomfortable for much of the flight.
Just as breakfast was being served in the morning we hit an incredible pocket of turbulence. The entire plane lurched from side to side and my entire breakfast was unceremoniously dumped onto the floor. I was too busy trying to keep my coffee from spilling to stop it. As it turns out the coffee did spill, all over my hand. As for the rest it was a pulpy mess in the aisle.
After holding for 20 minutes over Heathrow, we finally touched down in London! We had arrived.
More on Heathrow and car rental adventures in the next post....
So, being liberal with the interpretation of British Airways hand luggage and oversize luggage rules, we bought a new bag on Friday to house the excess items. Upon getting it home we realised that it too was too small and that we would have to get another (bigger) bag if we are to get this all into place. So we returned the pink bag and bought a large black duffel bag instead. It continued to be a constant of weighing and repacking and eventually some things were even discarded. Our relaxing time in the guest house for our last few days in the UK had quickly become stressful and not very relaxing at all. The illness was terrible and certainly detracted from what should have been a special experience.
Sunday morning dawned cold but bright and we awoke knowing that our next awakening would be in the UK - or somewhere over the Mediterranean at least.
Not surprisingly there was even more running around and we went and said goodbye to some people and the dogs. There were many tears shed by Kyra but I was too ill to feel anything except physical misery. Kim was also ill but managed to keep it together very well.
Finally after a final lunch we packed everything into the rental car and headed off to Blouberg. This was our final goodbye to friends there before heading off to the airport. Mila had made some lovely pancakes which we partook of. We also dropped off some bags and boxes at Mila for safekeeping. Mykel-Trent will be picking these up and taking them with to Australia when they return from their African Adventure.
Finally we left Mila and headed off to the airport. I was supposed to return the car filled up with petrol but alas it was not to be. I completely forgot and only once I handed the keys over did I realise that I had forgotten to fill up the car! No big deal, I would pay for it later.
When the car rental agent had taken our keys there were two people standing around offering to help with our trolleys. I told them that I would be OK and that there would be no need for their help, but still they loitered.
Eventually I saw that I was not getting much assistance from elsewhere, so I called them closer to help. Just then the police arrived in a van and warned me that these two men were known criminals and that they would run away with our items at the first chance they were given. The police immediately made the two men do pushups and other physical exercises near their van while we piled all our articles on a trolley and got the hell out of dodge.
Once in the airport we had our duffel bag wrapped and then headed to the BA counter to find out how much extra we would have to pay on the heavy and additional bags. We had a very helpful check-in agent who only charged us for two of the overweight bags and was very kind in letting the one additional heavy bag go through without us having to pay for it.
IT still cost us R2400 for excess luggage though! We also had way too much in the way of hand luggage. It was all within our allowance, but it certainly did take a lot of carrying. By this stage I was sopping wet from sweat. The flight had not even begun!
We passed through security without any hassles and when asked at immigration "when are you coming back?" - Kim piped up "never!" The immigration officer was very friendly and looked quite shocked and he kept up a conversation for quite some time trying to convince us to return. Kyra was quite adamant that she would return, even if it was just for a holiday. This seemed to put him at ease.
We queued and we waited and eventually were shepherded onto the plane. Eventually we settled down for the evening and our flight. The aircraft was exceptionally hot. It would seem the air conditioning was not working properly and things were most uncomfortable for much of the flight.
Just as breakfast was being served in the morning we hit an incredible pocket of turbulence. The entire plane lurched from side to side and my entire breakfast was unceremoniously dumped onto the floor. I was too busy trying to keep my coffee from spilling to stop it. As it turns out the coffee did spill, all over my hand. As for the rest it was a pulpy mess in the aisle.
After holding for 20 minutes over Heathrow, we finally touched down in London! We had arrived.
More on Heathrow and car rental adventures in the next post....
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