I had already checked in on-line for the British Airways flight to London Heathrow and printed the boarding pass so with only carry-on baggage it was straight through to the lounge for drink and then off to London. The flight went well but apparently we had left a big storm brewing in Vienna which broke that evening with torrential rain, gale force winds and amazing thunder and lightning. Lots of damage in the Vienna Woods with many trees down and lots of roads closed as well as cars damaged by falling trees in town.
Still, in London it was fine and the Hertz men had the car ready so I was on the road about 30 minutes after wheels down and then in Littlehampton by 2300 after a short shop at Tesco's to sort out breakfast and a couple of cheal DVDs for the evenings in the flat.
FRIDAY 24th
Up and away the home of my sister Ali and her husband Tim, and of course Dadwag. I sat in with Daddy and we did a series of crosswords and chatted about cricket etc and generally had a good time while the others went shopping in preparation for the big buffet lunch the next day - the birthday! the weather was a worry with some heavy showers and high winds, not good for a garden party. Still I managed to fit in a bit of shopping in the afternoon and had an early night ready for the big day.
SATURDAY 25th
The day began early but the weather was great with sun and some clouds but no rain. The usual mafia assembled for a fantastic seafood and salad buffet prepared by Ali and birthday cake from Clare - who got caught in traffic and arrived after lunch. The only people missing were the Franeys who had taken off last week to drive from California to Alaska - but they did phone in on Sunday. Michael (my son) called on Saturday from Cairns where he being endorsed to fly a new type of plane his boss had bought - their first turbo-prop a Cessna Conquest.
The others were, as always, Ali and Tim, Soo and Mike, Tom and Juliette, Beth, Diana, Colin and Angela , Clare and me. We all sat out on the deck in the sunshine.
Dadwag was in fine form and had a wonderful time chatting and opening his presents before the superb lunch.
Then a rest before the cutting of his cakes.
Again Dadwag had celebrated his birthday in the centre of his family and a super day was had by all - thanks to Tim and Ali for arranging and hosting the day.
Eventually everyone went home. Clare and I went back to Littlehampton and had dinner overlooking the River Arun at sunset, lovely.
Eventually everyone went home. Clare and I went back to Littlehampton and had dinner overlooking the River Arun at sunset, lovely.
SUNDAY 26th
Breakfast at the same restaurant overlooking the river after a walk down to see the sea and then Clare was off to see one of her sisters and I was back to Amberley to say goodbye to Daddy. He and I ended up watching the Hungarian Grand Prix and then I was off to Heathrow and back to Vienna on the last BA flight of the day on that route. A good flight and an easy trip back from the airport made for a good end to a great weekend.
No comments:
Post a Comment