1st July 2024
I sleep really well, waking at just after 0700. My flight is scheduled for 1615, and SFO is a couple of hours north of here, depending on traffic. I ablute and then carefully rearrange the packing in my two bags, making sure that everything is where it should be, then roll the cases out to the car. I've just realised I haven't a picture of the replacement car...
I'm on the road at 0900, heading North on a variety of roads, including the Pacific Coast Highway - although it doesn't hug the coast at this point...
I pass several cafés on the trip, but don't stop for breakfast, but just drink from my bottle of iced water I filled at the hotel. I have no idea why it doesn't occur to me to stop - I'm not hungry...
Eventually, about two miles from the airport, I pull into a gas station to fill up (rental cars are rented and delivered with a full tank)., I then follow the "Returning Rental Cars" signs, which seems to take me at least twice around the airport, before directing me to the AVIS garage, where a team ask me if there are any snags with the car, carefully check it for damage and personal possessions, ask me to leave the keys in the cupholder and point me to the elevator. Once again, a really slick operation.
I wheel my luggage over to the train to the International Terminal, and soon I'm queuing at the BA desk. I'm checked in quite quickly, and I ask if I can get an aisle seat. No - the plane's full....
I sit and people-watch in the terminal for a bit, then make my way to TSA for security checks - it was remarkably quick and, in no time, I'm 'airside' and refilling my water bottle from a fountain just the other side.
It is at this time I realise I have packed my noise-cancelling headset in my checked bag...
Fuck it - I go into one of the shops and spend $105 on a Sony replacement...
I take a mosey down to Gate A11, still the best part of an hour away from boarding, and waste time doing some puzzles. I'm in the last group to be called forward to board, and am about the last one in the queue. As soon as I get through the A380's door and show my boarding pass, I'm whisked away and upgraded to Club
Brilliant - I stow my carry-on stuff, get comfortable and then give my dinner order to David, the flight attendant - only then realising it'll be the first thing I have eaten today...
It's a rough life...
Although a couple of gin-fizzes make it feel a good deal
less so...
Ian, the A380's captain, pops down to see me somewhere over the Atlantic and tells me my BA benefactor had asked if I could be upgraded if there was room, as I'd had a bit of a fraught last week - he'd sent a pic of the crunched car...
I don't sleep through the flight, but watch a little video and just relaxed generally - I honestly can't thank my BA benefactor enough - may his shadow never diminish...
We are going to arrive the best part of an hour early! I've bought in-flight SMS, so text Adrian to let him know - he says I may need to have breakfast whilst I wait...
We touch down at 0930 (after 20 minutes in the stack) and I wheel my bag the miles to baggage reclaim. By the time I get there, no bags are on the carousel and a throng of people are waiting. Suddenly, a single case arrives - it's mine! I quickly grab it and head for the exit.
Adrian arrives in 20 minutes or so, and we cram my luggage into his car and start making our way towards Norfolk.
I'm still feeling a bit spaced out, and try to keep up with conversation. We stop for an overpriced (but excellent) Five Guys burger at Mildenhall, then get back home. My fence has been painted and my driveway and yard have been pressure washed and re-sanded - Vikki, my housekeeper, has been in and fitted new bedding and aired the house for me - it's all great.
I text Vikki to see when I can pick Harry up (she's been kennelling him for me) - "Anytime". I'm over in five minutes, to get an effusive welcome home from Harry. Once the zoomies have subsided, I drive him home, and he spends several minutes inspecting the fences and brick weave - it must all smell new to him.
It's always good to get home...
