Let it snow, let it snow, let is snow ...

Hello all!  We are alive and here's the tale of our travels to date -

Departure day, Saturday December 19 14:45 scheduled departure.  As we left the house I knew it had be delayed to 15:25; however, once boarded it seems we lost a passenger who was a no show, really where can someone go???, so they had to pull his/her bags from the plane.  We were finally in the air just after 16:00. 

Good flight, decent service and food, no complaints, that is until our arrival.

Sunday December 20 07:00 we touch down at the Manchester airport.  As we're taxing off the runway the captain announces that the airport has just been closed to the snow and ice.  We have been asked to sit on the access way until further notice.  Two hours later we start moving toward the stand ... seems there are so many planes at the terminal that we get assigned a remote one away from the terminal.  Now we continue to wait for stairs, then grit for the stairs, then a bus to take us to the terminal.  We are on the first bus, clear immigration and are waiting for our bags at 09:30.  A few bags come on one carousel, then a few more on another.  Only about half of the passengers have all of their bags and leave.  The rest of us wait, and wait, and wait.  Around 10:15 an announcement is made that due to visibility on the tarmac our bags have been delayed.  At this point I should say there was only a few inches of snow on the ground, although there was a fair bit of ice, but still ...

Still waiting, another announcement around 10:50 ... in a approximately 5 minutes the bags should be here ... at this time another flight has just landed and picked it's bags up and all have left.  Frustrating for us but there were a large number of families with small children who were tired and hungry.  Shortly after 11:00 once carousel starts, then anouther, then back to the first, then a few come out manually, .... a HUGE circus of angry people moving back and forth.  Finally at 11:30 bags start to come out.  We get ours and are out the airport doors at 11:45 ... taxi ride to the in-laws and we finally arrive at our destination around 12:30.

A long day of travelling, up about 22 hours with very little sleep.

A few visitors to the house, then Dave heads out with his brother Keith for a few groceries.  I hit the bed for a much needed nap.

The jet lag wasn't so bad this time at least.

Monday December 21 - Dave's dad, Thomas, has a bad day.  Doesn't recognize anyone, is very confused, doesn't know where he is.  He's suffering from Dementia but is deteriorating quite fast over the past few weeks from all reports.  Dave and I head out into town for a bit, and his mum Margaret, calls the nurse.  Good medical here in the UK.  By the time we return a few hours later the head phsyc doctor has made a housecall, unfortunately we have to go back out for the prescription only to find out that the pharmacist doesn't recognize the dosage or one of the drugs so they won't fill it.  Weather is still crappy.  It's been snowing most of the day.  As we're just about back, about 20 feet shy of the driveway a vehicle a couple cars ahead starts to have problems and everyone's stopping ... not good on the incline.  We have a hard time to get going again.  Luckily two young chaps help me push the car and we manage to get it into the garage.

Tuesday December 22 - Roads a mess.  Lots of slush.  Most of the british cars are little and are without tires meant for this kind of weather.  Supposedly this is the worst snow in 20+ years.  Scotland and further north of us is getting it worse.  Dave and I head into town mid-day to get a new prescription filled before the roads get too icy again.  Slow going.  At least this new medication seems to have calmed Thomas down so he's not so agitated and has some recognition back.

Wednsday December 23 - I find out there's a library down the block so I head out to use the internet ... unfortunately it's not open on Wednesdays.  Dave's shovelling the driveway up at the garage.  The bordering neighbour is helping.  Due to the +/- freezing temperatures and the trudging there's a few inches of packed ice on the ground.  Dave's gets quite the workout but manages.  We were unable to pick up more road salt Tuesday or yesterday as everyone was sold out.  The roads are mainly bare as the plows have been through overnight.  After tea (dinner) we head out to the Grapes, a pub not far from Dave's brother Keith's place.  We meet up with Keith & Joyce for a frew drinks.  Good news is no problem with the road getting home tonight eventhough a few more flakes fell during the evening.

Thursday December 24 - I head out to the library only to find out it's closed.  Seems I missed the 1:00pm opening time!  ARGH!!!  Back to the house.  Dave takes Margaret out to get her hair down and a few groceries while I keep Tom company.  Keith and Martin, the other brother, pop by while they're out.  Dave & Margaret make it back and now I'm finally at the library.  We're heading out to the Club for some entertainment tonight, then maybe back to Grapes.  We'll see how Tom is at the Club.  The library is closed until the New Year so I'm not sure when I'll be posting again.  We leave for the Canaries on the 30th.

Merry Christmas everyone!