Friday October 25 - Monday 28 (Port Orchard and the flight home)

Friday
It was cool and damp again today but I did not worry as it was a day for clothes washing and packing. I sorted some items and packed them before going downstairs to put my washing in. 

After breakfast, once my washing was dry, I headed back upstairs and finished packing all I could at that time.

The girls were very chilled out today, lol!

My face looked a wee bit better today and I was not feelng too bad!


Cheryl and Jim took me to our last dinner out at the Airport Diner, I had booked a window table yesterday. 

It will be my final dinner there as it is closing down in November! Of course, I just had to have the Prime Rib and Au Jus!

When we returned home, I showered and then packed my final items in my suitcase. The rest would travel home i my carry on bag, which was not to heavy!

Saturday to Monday
It was an early start today as I had to be at the airport by just after 10 am. 

On the way to SeaTac airport. we stopped at the Black Bear for breakfast, as it only 20 minutes from SeaTac! 

I could not believe that he monstrosity on Cheryl’s plate was a biscuit, lol! 

Mine was the Bear’s Choice with French toast. They serve big meals and they are well priced?

It was fascinating to see how much the fall colours had come in since my arrival, there were some spectacular colours, so very beautiful.

After a very pleasant breakfast as well as some photos, we arrived at the airport on time. I had checked in but needed them to print my boarding passes. 

My case weighed 41 lbs (18.5 kgs), I was very pleased as I had to take home things I had left in Michigan.

I had contacted Air Canada yesterday to organise a wheelchair at both ends of my flight, it had not been put in the system! Finally, the lady understood I needed one to meet the aircraft, lol! 

Cheryl waited with me, she had helped me in with my luggage while Jim parked in the Cell phone area. 

After over half an hour Cheryl went over to the desk, the lady was not amused and the wheelchair finally turned up! I made my sad farewell to Cheryl!

I must thank Cheryl and Jim for their great hospitality, it seems as if I have another home away from home. Cheryl looked after me so well, I was really spoiled rotten! I feel like they, and the three girls (dogs) are family.

I was dumped at the gate and told someone would come, they never did. The gate agent contacted someone and then another guy turned up to meet an incoming so he helped me. Only problem, we had to get on a bus as our plane was at a remote gate! The nice guy rang on and came on the bus with me. He passed my bag to one of the cabin crew and I was aboard, phew! It was not a full flight and we took off on time.

The flight only lasted 30 minutes and as it was a gorgeous day by now, I got some nice photos as we approached Vancouver. 

We pulled up at our gate but could not deplane as there was no gate agent! 

Finally, she arrived, after the co pilot went looking for her but then there was no wheelchair, lol. The co pilot carried my bag off and waited with me.

After a while, he went looking for the wheelchair, and had to do this twice! The pilot then chatted to me and finally my ride arrived, lol! I can honestly say I have never known air crew do that before, well beyond the call of duty! 

 I was taken to the Maple Leaf lounge as I had four hours before boarding. The lovely lady who took me would not accept a tip. I wonder if my face had something to do with all that, lol! 

The Air NZ plane was parked up not far from my window and I saw the food loaded onI There was a gorgeous sunset over the plane. 

I was driven to the gate in one of the electric carts and then escorted to the plane. It was a different plane from the original, a brand new Dreamliner that was only received from Boeing four days previously. 

It was a full flight but we waited for a while to take off as the flight would take one hour less and Auckland airport closes for three hours until 4.30 am every Monday for a major clean so we did not want to arrive too early, lol!

One of the pilots came through and asked me what the other person looked like! My face looked a wee bit better again! The cabin crew were very helpful as well as pleasant. I chose the salmon for tea and it was delicious!

I watched two films before attempting to sleep, The Art of Racing in the Rain, what a tear jerker but a lovely film! Kevin Costner was brilliant as the dog’s voice! This was followed by the Lion King! They must have used a lot of special effects and I would love to know exactly how some of the scenes were put together..

I managed about 3 hours sleep, in between a few bouts of turbulence. We flew directly over Hawaii where the first bout occurred. Then as per usual we experienced some over the equator, finally, about four hours out of Auckland, the worst and longest bout. Sunday disappeared over the Pacific as per usual!

I watched a third film, Yesterday, once I was awake and I really enjoyed it. After breakfast it was time to prepare for landing, we arrived 15 minutes early. Ine of the cabin crew took my bag out and there was a wheelchair waiting for me. 

I was taken to the bus that travels between both terminals, I was met off the bus and taken to the Regional Lounge, the new one should be open next month. our Prime Minister, Jacinda Adhern, happened to call in to the lounge while waiting for a flight, lol!

My friend met me at the airport and dropped me home. both she and my flatmate were a bit shoked at my appearance, lol! Grant said I could do Halloween without any make up, lol! 

Later in the day I caught my toe on the step going to my fridge and managed to fall on my face again!! I am OK, but feel stupid. I re-opened a couple of abrasions from the first fall and may have bruised my left wrist a wee bit, thank goodness wood is a bit more forgiving than concrete!