The Journey: UK to Cape Town

Well, it wouldn't be a trip to the UK if it didn't have a little drama somewhere.

If you've been following the blog and read some of the old posts, you'll know that in 2011 we found ourselves doing what felt like an episode of the Amazing Race, and then again in 2014 (I don't even think I blogged about it) we were racing to and through Stansted Airport trying not to miss the flight home - Andel with the luggage; me with Zac and a 6 month pregnant belly!

Anyway. Until Saturday afternoon, we had not had a single dramatic event this holiday. Then we arrived at Victoria Station.

Context:
Since we had accumulated an additional two suitcases on this holiday, we could no longer all fit into the car and drive to the airport. So, the plan was for me to take the kids on the train for a more comfortable and exciting journey. And because Christopher was heading back to Cardiff anyway, he was going to come with me, and then take the coach from Victoria after we'd left.

Catch #1:
When booking the train tickets, Andel had thought our flight was at 21h00. It was actually at 20h00. So while we would not yet be late in arriving at the airport, we wouldn't exactly be early either.

Circumstances:
So Christopher, the kids and I left for London around lunch time on Saturday. Andel and Aunty Lynne waited for Uncle Eddie to finish golf so that they could drive down with the luggage. We arrived in London around 15h00, and leisurely took them on the tube to Victoria where we walked around a bit to show the kids the London buses they love so much.

Catch #2:
We expected there would be a chance we would not be able to change our ticket from Victoria to the airport to an earlier one, so we were prepared to wait to 17h00, and took the kids somewhere they could sit and snack in front of the iPad to pass the time. What we did not expect was for the train to run late. First 15 minutes to 17h15. Then another 11 minutes to 17h26. Then another nine minutes to 17h35. At this point, Andel was already at the airport, unable to check our luggage in, because we were not all there with our passports. I could write a pretty long piece on just what was going through my mind at that time. Thank God for Christopher who is 100% comparable to my comprehension and computation styles, and therefore a blessing to travel with.

Conclusion:
Our train left at 17h45, and stopped between stations three times on the journey to the airport due to signalling and other similar glitches. We got to the airport at 18h20, checked in at the Priority Services, sailed through security, and managed to board at 19h00 with everyone else.

We had a good flight, all things considered. Even with some turbulence, the kids all slept, and when they were awake, were well-behaved and polite to the steward staff and other passengers*. We arrived in Cape Town a little ahead of time, and made it seamlessly through baggage reclaim and customs.

* I actually have to say: this has been the part of the trip they have impressed me most, and based on this, I would definitely travel with them again!

So now we're home, and straight back to reality!