Vacation Part 7 - The End

Well, I'm sad to say that my vacation is over :(

It was a great vacation even though I went on my own. Although I still believe vacationing with one or more other people is the best way to go, this trip went really well for me. I wandered aimlessly through the streets of London on a daily basis and just enjoyed my time away from work and all the rest of the normal day-to-day happenings.

I spent Thursday relaxing. I did a bit of shopping, but for the most part vegged. My cousin and I spent the evening at a local pub just chatting. It was a really nice way to end my vacation.

Now for Friday. I awoke at 5:15am and got ready. My cab arrived promptly at 6am to take me to the airport. My flight was scheduled to leave at 8:30am. Check-in and security went smoothly. Boarding started on time. Then the excitement happened...delays! Lots and lots of delays. My connection in Toronto was 2 hours from our original estimated time of arrival which would be enough time to get my luggage and go through customs and immigration and still make my plane. Yeah, if only! The captain, although very sincere, told us we were waiting for some connecting passengers who's luggage had just arrived...it would be 15-20 minutes. Then, as it turned out, their luggage was not in the crate that was at the plane so they had to find it. Then, the maintenance guys notice a water leak and had to find the source...another 15-20 minutes?! The maintenance crew were unable to find the source of the leak so they had to drain the water onboard. This meant there was no water in the restrooms for washing hands. They then had to bring on purell and extra bottles of water. OK, so after all that we were airborne 2 hours late!!!! The breakfast we were served was OK, but nothing worth writing home about (I guess I just did though), and we received a snack which was like one of those bistro pastries. The plane was full for the 8 hour flight!! It was a very, very long flight...I think I watched every movie on the plane. A 2 hour dely helps with that...lol!!

Of course I figured they would either hold the connections or find us alternate flights. That works for me normally, but I had a connecting flight with another company in Edmonton. When I initially booked I figured this sort of thing might happen so I allowed for a 3 3/4 hour layover. My new flight that they arranged was scheduled off 2 hours after my original flight from Toronto. OK, so that meant 1.75 hours between flights in Edmonton. Totally enough time to gather my luggage and check in. Of course then I boarded my flight in Toronto only to be delayed again!! This time the PA system wasn't working and that's a 'no fly' item so they spent a good 45 minutes fixing that. We were served free non-alcoholic beverages onboard, but everything else had a price! It was even $3 for a blanket and pillow!! It was a 4 1/2 hour flight!! And there were problems with the individula screens for watching mvies/tv, whatever so that was out for over a 1/2 hour during flight while they rebooted it.

By this point I'm wondering if I'd ever make it home! The flight arrived in Edmonton giving me 1 hour adn 10 minutes to get to my next flight after picking up my luggage, checking in, and going through security again! Well, I made it! My flight from Edmonton was with Canadian North and it was excellent! We pushed back about 10 minutes early, then were breifly delayed while we awaited a part required by another aircraft in Yellowknife. We still departed on time. I had a meal which included wine on a flight less than 2 hours! I had 3 seats to myself so I stretched out and slept. We landed exactly as scheduled!! I was home. I opened my trunk and discovered the documents I was missing when I left!

So, the only complaint I have about my trip is Air Canada! The food was not worth eating...buy your own if you use them. I actually anticipated problems with them which was my reason for the planned layover in Edmonton and they proved me right!

I am home now and very happy about that...not so happy about going back to work in less than 12 hours, but still happy to be back in my own home with all my own stuff and my own pillows :)