The End & Still No Bill Nighy (and it's still "just 4 blocks")

So, dear Reader, we are at the end of another S & H adventure.  No, we never found the right French bistro in London where our friend Bill Nighy hangs out (he only finished in New York this week, so we didn't have much time), but it was still a pretty good trip.

First, M and I had breakfast "out" for the first time.  I had the vegetarian (yes, again, but a different restaurant, which those with half an eye and memory will notice) --



At one point he turned and asked "where do you think the waitress is from?"  I think this was based on her accent.  I responded, "London."  He thought was so funny.

Then he AGAIN wanted to walk the "only 4 blocks" to Oxford St.  I convinced him we were going all the way to Oxford Circus so he should ride the bus.  He conceded.

After shopping, and finishing packing, he was like a caged tiger, pacing the flat.  I asked J if she had some pharmaceuticals that would help.  Then he (kindly, if not impatiently) carried BOTH my bag and his downstairs (a concession to my not supposed to lift much yet).

The students, to their good, were ready in time and we were on the coach early.  It took 2 hours to get to the airport.  Requisite inside of coach picture.  Rah rah.


But life got more interesting in the airport; M had no ticket and I had TWO!  I checked in, my big bag was .3 of a kg below the limit, and was ready to go to security.  Nope, they weren't getting him on the plane!  The person at Norwegian (motto: least helpful airline in Europe) sent us into a long queue (a British term for sheep) at the "service center."  Seems a plane to Faro (where?) was cancelled and they were reworking itineraries.  One couple in line next to us was happy about staying at the airport hotel and getting voucher for hotel food!  SMN!

The woman, Naomi, at the service desk was great.   She called Norwegian three times, including once having them on two phones at once.  She told the second answerer "don't put me on hold...at least not for more than two minutes"...ten minutes later the line hung up on her!  Naomi was NOT happy.  M was chuckling at her.  She said "this should take 5 minutes, but they have us locked out for some reason."  Finally, she got through and zap! It was done.  He was checked through, no extra charge and has a ticket.

One of the students got in trouble "" with her carry-on -- it was overweight.  We waited on her to get through and went through security.  I was held up by my mini iPad -- this is my 6th time through security in 2 weeks and the first time they've pulled it -- and then I stopped in Duty Free for our driver tonight.

Then M disappeared.  The student with the overweight bag said "he lost his ticket."  !!!  As he's said "took all that to get it and just left it on a bench."  The guard had it for him, so he's okay.  But it was a moment of stress.  So...

The plane is on time.  We are leaving London.  The H's are back in December (some didn't get their vacation 4 weeks ago due to "extraordinary circumstances"), but S is making noises about "I don't know."

And, with that, I wish my Reader good life, heart health, and safe travels.#