The return home

Christmas Day for 16 at Fiona's. Behind Brian, moving CW: Matty, Abbie, Paul, Denise, Steph, Rory, Ivy, Becky, Jenny, Jackie, Jessica, Nick, Sam, James, Fiona

You wouldn’t think there would be much to write, but you can never be sure….

We got to Seychelles airport at 16.00 (midday UK time) dressed in warmer clothes than we’d like, but you have to be dressed wrong somewhere and airports are always a regular temperature… Wrong. Check in at this one was undercover, but open on three sides so very very sticky, particularly when she weighed our hand luggage to find Brian’s was 4kg over. We only had 1kg each available in our cases, (we had intentionally put small heavy things in the hand luggage) “just move some about” she said, “it’ll be fine,” she said. It was however very embarrassing. I was dripping by the time we went through, to a slightly air conditioned area. I was beginning to worry that there was no sign of Chris and Chris, who finally arrived, also dripping as they had been through a similarly embarrassing repack, at the check in desk, in front of everyone! What we did find though was that many people had been split up, but that B&I and Chris and Chris were sitting in our pairs, perhaps it was her way of apologising for having to enforce the rules! Got on the plane to find a fairly unpleasant couple sitting in our seats, having ascertained that they did actually have seats together too, we were happy to move to the row in front and sit in their seats. We were joined by another lady, Marj, who should have been by the window, but on asking, didn’t care where she sat really, as “My husband died last night!” That’ll be the ‘code alpha’ to the cabin next door but one to Sue and Jim that we had all heard at 07.20 then! She didn’t immediately want to talk, but was appreciative of the support we gave her, and relaxed a little, to want to talk with the meal. Unsurprisingly the thought of going through Doha airport on her own was a little daunting so we promised not to let her out of our sight, and so we didn’t. Along with Sue and Jim we formed as warm and caring a bubble as it was possible to do. We had Jim with us on the flight from Doha while Sue was 6 seats and 2 aisles away, fortunately with Marj just in front of her.

Brian's eldest granddaughter Abbie with boyfriend Matty

It was all going as expected for the first 2.5 hours, when the pilot announced that, basically, the plane was allergic to ice, so although it could turn round and land back in Doha it couldn’t potentially land, in Manchester, so back to Doha we went! Five hours flying for nothing and a couple of hours to get a new plane and crew. Brian is changing our National Express coach booking, while I’m trying to get in touch with Marj’s taxi, coming from Abersoch in N Wales to Manchester to say keep an eye on the flights, but don’t come to the airport yet. Trying to get her to eat, and trying to get her some more space on the plane to try and sleep. They did manage to get her two seats together, but whether it helped or not we don’t know.

Becky and Jenny, Brian's other two granddaughters

Arrived in Manchester and changed our coach booking again, we didn’t think there was any chance of getting our luggage and Marj’s luggage, immigration, and finding Marj’s taxi before 15.00, and we weren’t abandoning her now. Her taxi was there and with hugs all round, and with Sue and Jim we legged it to the bus station arriving bang on 15.00 to find, nothing! Fortunately it arrived 15 minutes late and we could get on it. Hurrah. He took no prisoners and we were in Digbeth by 17.00 (not the 11.00 it should have been) hopped in an Uber and after a quick visit to the Co-op we finally stopped!

James cooked Christmas Day dinner, ably assisted by Sam and Steph

Lovely to get home and find a delicious Christmas cake from Alex and Rob who had stayed for a couple of weeks to make DIY at their home easier. Thanks guys x

There were a few presents to open!

Christmas Eve was shopping then, not for much, but we had to get some stuff. Out that evening at ‘Big Keith’s’ one of the Sunday club boys, who, along with his wife Jude have a regular get together. We were very honoured to be invited, knew about half the people there and recognised a few more. Had some lovely food and played some silly games, a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

James and Fiona enjoying Christmas lunch

Christmas Day, lunch at Fiona’s (Brian's daughter) for 16. It’s going to be a squeeze, but it’ll be lovely to see everyone. Slightly odd start to the day, I had a really odd pain in my chest and a stiffness in my jaw. As we are all Google doctors nowadays, I thought perhaps I’d better ring 111. Her thoughts were obviously the same as my thoughts, as she put the call in for the paramedics! Amazingly they were with us within 10 minutes, by which time I was already feeling like a fraud, but they sat me down attached me to the machine and took a couple of ECG’s. Although they have to recommend that I should go to hospital, they listened to what had been going on, with the 27 hour travel day, and everything and wished me a merry Christmas. I have been absolutely fine ever since, but as they said, better to be safe than sorry.

Huge present unwrapping session

After a little chat with Marj who was sounding a little better after some time in her own home, we went to Fiona’s. It was loud and chaotic, but what a great day. Ridiculous amounts of food, lots of chat and lots of presents. We met Matty, Abbie’s boyfriend for the first time, he is as lovely as everyone said. More excitingly we found out that Jenny has been accepted by Ryan Air for cabin crew training, the job she has always wanted, so very pleased for her. Horrendous carol singing and more food. We left at 21.00, with Denise and Paul and Nick and Jessica, as the others were all settling down to play games!

Sam, Steph, Sis Denise and Brian

We could have stayed but Boxing Day saw us down Jonathan (Jaackie's brother) and Lucy’s, for a less raucous, but just as enjoyable day. Caroline seems to be thoroughly enjoying Oxford Uni and Charles is working hard before starting at Sandhurst in May. Again, lovely to catch up, and we did get the chance to play silly games this time.

Oscar cat gets to open his present

Wednesday was meant to be a quiet day, but we had to go to Harborne, to Specsavers, to try and get a new tube for one of Brian’s hearing aids which had been whistling for three days. Very easy, and great service, once we’d actually got through to someone. While in Birmingham it seemed the perfect time to pop in on Helen and Ian. We were meant to be there for New Year’s Eve, but after a message from a very irritated Donna, we have decided not to be. Donna thought she’d arranged for her friend to have the dogs, Cookie and Cracker, on NYE, only for her friend to deny having ever had the conversation. She said we could still go, they can be left with food, water and their dogflap, but we just wouldn’t be comfortable leaving them overnight. So a great afternoon and evening with H&I a few beers which were slightly uncomfortable as we got incredibly wet walking Monty Dog to the pub and an overnight before a dry dog walk this morning. A really good catch up with them, and Ian suggested we come over for brunch on NYD where we’ll catch up with most of the people from the party and won’t have to worry about driving on NYE.

Oh look, more food on Christmas night and now, the mince pie competition. Three entries this year, Brian didn't enter, not enough time

Back to pack to go and housesit for Cookie and Cracker tomorrow, really looking forward to some furry fuss.

Boxing Day lunch at Jonathan and Lucy's. From Brian, moving CW: Jackie, Caroline, Jonathan, Lucy, Charles, Veronica and Ron

Photo from the other end taken by Lucy

Wednesday out with Ian, Helen and Monty dog. His afternoon dog walk just happened to pass by a pub in Moseley, well two actually and it would have been rude to pass them without stopping 

4 pints each down, what could possibly go wrong? Its cloudy beer but its meant to be