Guest Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 We got home just after 12 today. Virgin redeemed themselves somewhat on the return leg. We checked in at Downtown Disney and went off to enjoy ourselves for the day - I'd already checked the flight out from Gatwick had left an hour late but the check in staff assured us it was only going to land 30 mins late, and they were right. First bit of good news was that the journey home was going to take a mere 7 1/2 hours (they took another route on the way out and it took 10 1/2!!! Then we started to worry about the service levels as they announced 3 toilets were out and they were 3 cabin crew light due to illness. As the service levels on the way out had been so bad we were expeting the worst but we were pleasantly surprised - they served the kids meals first, brought drinks when we buzzed (water, water, water!) and were real stars - even though they lost another crew member to illness during the flight! It was a terrible flight though, they hadn't been given the January magazines so "Ooops, word censored!"ody knew what the entertainment would be and the entertainment system kept crashing and having to be rebooted, we also spent a large portion of the flight under "seat arrest" as it was turbulant to say the least - actually it was scarier than the "Tower Of Terror" (amazing ride where you fly up and DROP down in a lift). Then as we got off James went to say goodbye to his favorite Steward - James. He had bee thrilled to read the name on James' name badge as he is really getting into reading. You should have seen my boys face when James the steward gave him his cabin crew name badge! My James' favorite game in the world is pretending to be the "person who works....." He has been saying "hello madam" to me ever since. Anyway this is a long ramble, the last part of this journey was pretty dire too - by the time I'd got the car from the parking man (anyone wants to know about cheap parking at Gatwick PM me - this guy is handy!) and got Mum and James into the car with a mountain of luggage (we managed to bring back an extra LARGE holdall full of American bargains!) my hands were like ice, but the car was warm and it's only an hours journey...... PLUS the 2 hours we were stuck on the CLOSED M23!!! I managed to cross my legs for the first hour and then I had to scramble up a bank and climb over a fence to hide in some trees - funny several blokes went over that fence afterwards too. Poor Mum couldn't manage the climb and we just made it to Clackett lane. Arrived home 15 mins after the bloke came to fix my windscreen so that hasn't been done. The good news is the girls were really pleased to see us and have been allowed roaming room and treated. Also I got the programming right on the Aga and that was on oh and there have been NO power cuts and my Sky Plus contains some 11 episodes of Eastenders, a variety of sad old Christmas films and the TOP GEAR Special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Glad you got back safely Pengy..........Sounds like you had a great time in Disney and brought back lots of bargains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 I love the Tower of Terror ride Flying home from Canada once the turbulence was so bad the cabin crew dropped to their knees not praying, it must be what they are trained to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Then as we got off James went to say goodbye to his favorite Steward - James. He had bee thrilled to read the name on James' name badge as he is really getting into reading. You should have seen my boys face when James the steward gave him his cabin crew name badge! My James' favorite game in the world is pretending to be the "person who works....." He has been saying "hello madam" to me ever since. How sweet Glad to hear that you are finally home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Sounds like quite an eventful journey. Glad your back home ok and have enjoyed your holiday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susanbb Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Glad you're home safe and sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Welcome home . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scramble Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Nice to have you back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Glad you're home safe.....feels like you have been away for ages. Thanks for the pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAZAROO Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Welcome back to the atmosphere.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 What a journey! - welcome back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Welcome back hun, what an awful journey - I don't do turbulence and it was making my knees weak just thinking about it. Hope you've got your woolly pullies handy, it's a bit bloomin' parky here! Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cammy73 Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Welcome home....would you recommend going to Disney for christmas? We've been 6 times before but never later than end of October....We are thinking about year after next and wondered Is it as good as we imagine? Sharon x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 What an eventful day. Bet you're glad to be back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Oh you poor thing with that journey. At least the holiday was worth it! I was travelling today and heard about the problems on the M23 on the traffic news and felt so sorry for everyone stuck in it - not realising that it would be you! Hope you aren't all too-o-o-o tired over the next week whilst you get over the jet lag! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ardene5 Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Hi Everyone The saying goes " it is nice to go away but even better to come home". See you had fun but it now.............. Welcome home you were missed. Best wishes for 2009. Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 It is nice to be home but James is sick! I'm worried it might be Norovirus, its definately something he picked up on the plane as he hasn't had any food that could make him ill (beans on toast, heinz tomato soup!). Now one of the cabin crew that hadnt' come back from Florida was suffering from a sickness virus and the one who came down sick during the flight was too. All those cruises we go on and we NEVER get anything like this - one flight is all it takes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 It does sound like he has caught something from the cabin crew on the flight back, we have all been down with it, infact i am the only one in our family that is out of bed today......... I hope he gets better soon Pengy give him plenty of fluids and keep him warm.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omletina Kyckling Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Welcome home, glad to have you back but sorry to hear James is poorly. Hope he's better soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Glad to see you made it home OK (even though some of the trip sounded rough). Hope James is feeling tip top soon (he's not missing anything - sooooo cold). Sounds like he needs some turkey soup to boost his immune system. I did look at Fox News when you were on your way and saw the temperature in Florida was in the 80's! Did you bring a nice tan back with you to make us all jealous?! Nice avatar Jlo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Hey you should write or email Virgin about the james guy, the steward, giving him his name badge thats a really nice little touch and some positive feedback would be nice for him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Welcome home! It is nice to be away, but always nice to come home too & see the chookies etc. Sounds like you had a wonderful time in Disney - no doubt we will be getting pics on here of some of your bargains. Hope James gets better soon & will be playing air steward! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
