Thursday, December 25, 2014
It was a restless night as Sir Thomas Oisin Leaf, Lady Etain, and Cian the Prince of Enduranc were struggling with the onset of a cold. The young Prince Cian also sick with the cold – runny nose and feeling ick, the first time he became ill with anything since his birth 21 months ago (there was a mild spell when visiting Ireland last year this time of year the adventurers thought he might had his first cold, but it didn’t last long and may have been an allergy – this time for sure a cold). Luckily the family could indulge in the nice fact that the young prince had lasted 21 months without getting ill – thank the Goddess for breastfeeding, delayed immunizations and quality co-involved parenting Sir Thomas thought were the triggers for their success. The explorers had lodged themselves over Xmas Eve at the Medford Ramada Inn* which had affordable rates with a place to park their car for free during the two weeks they would be gone on this adventure. Not bad for $80 Sir Thomas thought. The adventurers had a good swim albeit cold water in the indoor pool so prince Cian could continue his ascension as a mer-man, followed by indulging in Xmas-eve feasting at the Denny’s diner on site, and movies in the room to cradle them to sleep. The weary travellers woke up late around 9:40 am, just barely enough time to rush off for the free hot breakfast included with the room, the highlight of which was waffles and orange juice. Then back to the room to discover that the room key didn’t work, and the maid let them back in hesitantly since they had no proof of room rental except the key card envelope with room number jotted on it. They were blessed with extended checkout until 1 pm as the wouldn’t technically have to to head off to the airport until 2 pm. They would soon be off to Ireland. So much in disarray as most of their belongings were still in storage as they couldn’t find their roller suitcases nor their power converters for the US to Irish plugs. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire came on HBO and it just dawned on Sir Thomas Leaf that he had yet to see that one -so they watched almost all of it while getting ready for checkout.
They actually checked out just before 1 pm, and because it was Christmas day, Ramada’s free shuttle to the airport was off operation. So the hotel hired a cab for the adventurers door-to-gate service. They arrived at a pretty empty airport, checked in to United, luggage on the conveyer belt, and were on their way to the gate. The airlines were expecting wind and weather delays for the 4:20 pm flight, so United switched them to the 2 pm flight … hustle and bustle they just made the gate time. Security check went smooth and on the plane they were to San Francisco. Prince Cian was good the whole flight through. He passed out and slept albeit originally excited about flying into the sky on a plane.
The Delvers had a 4 hour lay-over at the San Francisco airport. but grabbed some sushi for lunch and a chai to invigorate themselves. No free internet so went into withdrawal as they couldn’t log on until well settled into Eire. Exhausted before boarding, their 9 1/2 hour flight with a 8 hour additional time change ahead they boarded the United air dragon and flew across the country, followed by a leap across the grand pond. Their colds were at peak with much of a chill, sneezes and runny noses, not the greatest for flight. Coughs took effect as boarded the blue, they were at the back of the plane where they seem to send parents and infants. Luckily a sympathetic stewardess asked their seat mate to move to another location so they became blessed with three seats for the young Prince to stretch out on instead of being constrained to his parents laps. they caught up with films they’ve been wanting to see, and before they knew it were landing in London Heathrow the next afternoon around 1 pm.
- * Note: these links refer to articles not yet written as of publication of this piece. They will be published most likely before mid-January. Please check back.
More photos here:
