All the way to America, for some….Rain !!

The day went pretty much like clockwork (such efficiency !)

I was up very early to shower and dress, make breakfast, and sandwiches for my journey, and just as the church clock was chiming 9 a.m. I wandered out of the house, with a smug grin (later dashed) on my face, as I thought ‘this is easy’, and after locking and alarming the house tramped up the road, with my kitbag and rucksack, to the village bus station, where shortly after 915 my first us arrived, transporting me to New Mills, where by 945 I was sat on the next bus, all the way to Manchester Airport…when it hit me – I’d forgotten to switch the water off in the house ! (since rectified by my excellent neighbour Bill –Thanks)…so I wasn’t that smart !

I arrived at Manchester Airport, with plenty of time to spare, and breezed through check-in (my kitbag weighing exactly 20kgs !) and security, then into the lounge to await my first flight to Reykjavik, which took off on time, into the afternoon sunshine of the Cheshire plains, and 2 hours later we descended into the rain sodden Iceland, looking like  a barren wasteland, with the occasional Geyser throwing steam up into the air, although I did manage to see the famous Blue Lagoon, from above http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Lagoon_%28geothermal_spa%29 

2 hours later I took off again for America, landing there in a….Thunder and lightning storm !, in fact it was so bad that they had stopped all re-fuelling at JFK airport, so we had to wait for the outgoing flight to ‘fill up’ before it could leave, and we could get onto the stand, and depart. So although we landed on time, we then had to wait 30 minutes to get off !

However, I was soon re-united with my kitbag, breezed through immigration and customs, and out into the  hot and humid arrivals hall to be greeted by my son Joseph…with those immortal words …’You’ll have to carry your own bags-I’ve got a glass back,and I don’t want to risk injury !’ Charming I thought, as I strapped my kitbag on my back, and rucksack on the front, and traipsed through the airport, onto the trains and subways of New York, walking through the famous ‘Times Square’ ,and along Broadway to his apartment, where I was greeted by his wife Nicola, explaining that my Grandson Thomas was unfortunately asleep, so couldn’t greet me.. but I greeted him when no one was looking.

It was then time for an evening meal, watching the highlights of the days Tour de France,and bed.. US time 11p.m., UK time 4 a.m…. Good night !