20130512 Sunday No pictures
Got up slowly, gradually got ready and took out the trash, then departed in the Airport Ride minivan. He was a chatty person and we weren’t, so eventually he just drove. As we were entering the terminal, I was struck by the thought that I hadn't brought along the power supply for this laptop. We'll just have to get another one.
The wait was boring as usual. The flight was full to the walls, as they all are these days. It was also boring, which is not a bad thing. On time arrival at BWI.
We gathered the one bag we'd checked, and I got out my jacket (in the mid-60's here). The shuttle took us to the rental car building where we picked up a VW Jetta. Nice little car but the steering is quite touchy. Huge trunk – I threw in the first suitcase and it disappeared.
We drove it to the BWI Sheraton and checked in; I’m not about to tackle I-95 and the Washington DC beltway at rush hour if I don’t have to. We've dined many times at G&M Seafood in Linthicum, a noted local place close to BWI. But today is Mother's Day, so it will be super crowded (so we were told last night) so we decided to just stay in the hotel. The restaurant here has been good in the past.
More later after dinner. Later, after dinner:
Nice dinner. Quite a few people in the dining room, mostly of our age. Must be mommy-day trade. D praised her crabcake and I enjoyed my prime rib and pinot noir. D's still a little cautious about her diet after having been unsettled for a week, so she took it easy.
She didn't sleep well last night and I stayed up late, so it's going to be an early bedtime. Tomorrow's an active day, seeing old friends in Northern Virginia followed by a seven-hour flight through five time zones, which you really can't prepare for. We’ll take it as it comes.
'nite.
20130513 Monday Pictures Link
At 1640, we're sitting in the British Air Club World lounge, sipping something and looking northwest to Bull Run Mountain.
We had a nice day. The drive from BWI to Manassas was a little slow, but what can one expect from the DC Beltway?
We bought the new laptop power supply at the Apple Store in the Fairoaks Mall near Fairfax, VA. Got the normal good service although the specialist we first talked with had to seek help from the “elder”.
We had a nice lunch with Val & Pat, our long-time friends, at the City Tavern. We remembered to them our first night in Manassas when we moved there. Susan wondered if she had to be a Confederate when she saw the flag.
Then we hit some other places including McKays books (for a book for the flight). We found our way to Dulles without a problem and shuttled to the terminal. Check-in went well, but the TSA screening took a while. Then we came to the lounge, where we'll lounge.
More later. Later:
I checked on Dr Brian's near simultaneous flight (Val's son-in-law); it was delayed. Went back to the lounge, then D & I left the lounge prior to our boarding time. Sure enough, we found Brian. We hugged for happy, took pictures, and then let him go off with his 22 students for the Greek & Turkey trip.
We went further and boarded our British Air 747-400 and got comfortable. Odd seating, but nice. The seats are in pairs, one facing forward, one aft; each is a little cocoon with all the amenities plus the seat flattens and meets with a footrest to become a bed. First time I've been seated facing aft since my military days, but it works.
We were plied with champagne, then cocktails, then wine with dinner. D had crab that she thought was quite good. I had a beast with mashed potatoes that was also nice.
Then the crew turned out the lights so those who want to sleep (and can) can do it. Some have pulled up the blankets and crashed. To us, it's only 9:11pm (2111) EST, so we're wide awake. We know we should sleep if possible, but.
Another complication is that this old dog is running like crazy. For a bit, we had a tail-wind of 157 mph. The captain says we'll arrive a half-hour ahead of schedule. Ordinarily, that would be great; but we're going east. We'll arrive at our hotel in the mid-morning, and can only pray that our room will be vacant so we can take a nap.
If we can't get into the room, we'll leave our luggage and go around the corner to the British Museum and tour that until we can settle in. A quick nap should do until we come out for the evening. We'll see.
I'll get Brian's picture into this later. And, I'll end this day here ; we've just past Newfoundland and Labrador, heading east. Not far at all to London, some 3.5 hours, which would make it 0100 body time. Tomorrow’s going to be rough.
'nite