Homeward Bound

It was a long, hot, sticky drive to the coast from Bansang yesterday, although Sutay made good time. The 4 ½ hours on the road included a stop at a village to buy some Bowboa fruit for Julie and getting stopped and searched at a military checkpoint (much to Sutay’s consternation and disgust!) It really wasn’t a big deal although a bit of muttering from Nick brought the “boss” out to see what the commotion was all about. Thankfully nothing untoward was found and we were soon repacked and on our way.

Arriving at Luigi’s around 5.30pm was perfect… as happy hour, well two hours actually, had just started so by the time the rest of us had showered and changed, Nick had managed to down his first three Juelbrew…. That set the tone for the evening with Nick very generously footing the bill as well as going on line to the Scoots web site to make a substantial donation towards the Children’s ward rebuild project. As the sun disappeared from yet another cloudless sky the temperature also dropped to a sensible level for the first time in 3 weeks, sending Jeanette scurrying for an extra layer! One of Luigi’s superb meals soaked up a little of the alcohol, and being a lightweight, 10pm saw me heading for the land of nod, surprisingly followed very shortly afterwards by the rest of the team. I think the time at Bansang has taken it’s toll and left us all feeling in need of a HOLIDAY! And before you all start yelling at your computers that we have just had one, we were told quite unequivocally by Anita at the start of the trip, on out first night at Luigi’s “This is not a holiday you know!” LOL

Nick & I head off in slightly different directions this morning on shopping trips, Nick, as ever dipping into his pocket to purchase some plumbing waste fitting he wants to send up to the hospital and me heading for the Supermarket to buy some groceries and tasty bits (and wine) for Tanya ! From a text Jeanette received last night, Tanya had a pretty tough day yesterday in theatre and we are hoping she is managing to relax quietly at the house now that us noisy lot have left… although my guess is that it might take her a day or two to adjust.

Later this morning Keba, Luigi’s driver will drop us off at the airport for our flight home. I’ve just looked at the Birmingham Airport web site and so far no delays are being notified, so hopefully 9.50pm tonight will see us touching down on a clear runway for the hours drive back to Orlingbury and a “third degree” debriefing by Mrs Smith!