My pre-travel trip report detailing our plans for this year is in the pretrip section.
Woo-hoo!
It's today!
Kevin was nightshift last night, which I hate when we are going somewhere next day. Normally he goes to bed and I have to be organised enough not to need into the bedroom all morning. This time he decided rather than go to bed he would stay up and just lie on the couch for a while but that meant none of us were allowed downstairs til later so we didn't disturb him. So although I had the run of the house most of the morning I had a later start than usual, so it impacted on bed stripping etc as less washing machine time til we left the house. Hey ho.
I spent the morning finishing sorting hand luggage, taking Kieran for a haircut, picking up Caitlin from her house and bringing her to ours, clearing the fridge, yelling at folk to get in the shower so I would have time to wash and dry the towels... you all know how it goes.
I also did the online checkin and it was the same as last year - kevin couldn't be checked in and we need to do him at the airport. This basically means he has been randomly selected for the extra checks. They definitely think he's dodgy
We set off to the local train station at 12 into Glasgow Central, picked up an assortment of burger kings and M&S meal deals and onto the train for Manchester airport. It was a smaller train than usual so it was jam packed and meant no cheeky wee staff upgrade to first class. Shocking if you ask me.
There was no room for everyone's suitcases in our carriage, so the guard told us to stack our cases in the bike rack in the next carriage. Kevin decided to sit through there with them as he doesn't like not being able to keep an eye on them. The girls sat together, and Kieran with me.
Sitting through there he met an American family who have been on holiday here (what were they thinking?) and are on our flight back home to Orlando tomorrow.
Spent the journey mostly looking out the window (once I persuaded Kieran to switch seats since he was playing on his tablet anyway). Nice sunny day so plenty to see. The girls took a pic of our manicures. Bet you can't guess which hand is mine eh? Spot the mammy!
And when I had a wee snooze my darling daughter took flattering pics
Arrived at Manchester airport station on schedule at 16:49. I'd checked Trainline just before we pulled in to see what platform we needed for the train to Heald Green. We walked 100 yards round to the right platform and onto the 16:59 for the 4min journey.
Off the train, 2 min walk to the premier inn at Heald Green, checked in and all settled.
We had a wander up the Main Street to stretch our legs, stopping at a wee grocers to get Kieran some fruit.
Then we about turned and walked round to the Flying Horse which is of the Hungry Horse chain. We've eaten in the beefeater attached to the hotel the past 2 years with the dinner and breakfast deal but there was no point this year as we are out too early tomorrow. The hungry horse menu is cheap n cheerful
We had:
Curry for Kieran
halloumi and fries for Hannah
chicken and mushroom pie for Caitlin
steak and ale pie for Kevin
and salmon with lemon and garlic sauce for me
Kevin had a pint and I had a wine, Hannah coke and Caitlin and Kieran had water. It was very cheap so definitely a shout for those on a budget.
Kevin then had another pint and Hannah and Kieran had a candy and something or other dessert
Wandered back round to the premier inn and settled down for some TV.
When it got to 9pm I left the boys and went along to the girls room to watch Love Island. I know, I know! I'd never watched it before but this year hannah asked if I would watch it with her as a mammy daughter thing so she could gossip about it with me so of course now I'm hooked.
Although I have to admit I do spend the whole programme giving appropriate mammy commentary ^why do none of their bikinis cover their bums?^ ^What's this thing with the boobs hanging out underneath?^ ^Why would anybody do that on tv^ ^that lassies granny could be watching^ ^don't you ever do that/wear that/say that^ (delete where appropriate). I'm still addicted. Going cold turkey in Florida should sort that out though.
And so pre travel day is done. Alarms are set for our early start and it's off to bed (where I will no doubt lie awake all night worrying about sleeping in for our 5am start)