06 September – Day of Departure

I wake to the sound of gulls – and I am not talking about someone beside me's breathing a touch heavy here. They are out in force and making a bit of a racket, both verbally and also by appearing to skate across the top of the caravan! Pat remains asleep – and I take a sneaky look at the time 5:45 a.m. so alarm due to go off shortly. Can I get out of bed without waking her and make a cup of tea? Answer a big fat NO as I begin to move the covers back she stirs and then looks directly at me. The birds didn't wake her but the seismic movement of a fat body getting out of bed does! Curses caught with my trousers down, well, actually, I normally sleep in just my boxers so that is always the case! Ha ha. (did we really need to know that? – ED)

Cup of tea and one of coffee – and we shower, and tidy up, as no one will be back for a while. (Actually they will but we don't, at that point, know it). Sort out the bags that will make up the hand luggage, and lug the suitcase (well not really lug, as they are both quiet lightweight really) to the car. Everything is in – we do a final check – turn on the caravans cctv – and off we go.

We put in the details for our final destination (Gatwick not Orlando!!) into the cars' Sat Nav and off we go. Fairly sure will not go up the A3 across the M25 and down the M23 and so it proves. We drive towards Brighton and then go up a few "A" roads and soon it is telling us we are almost there. The timing was pretty good, and although actually getting in the airport is a little fraught As we are coming in from a different direction it seems wrong – and we almost turn back – when continuing was the right thing to do! Fortunately, we did the right thing (makes a bloody change for you if you ask me…. ED).

As usual about 20 mins out we ring the car parking people – who, as is the norm, seems oblivious and just tell me the same thing as is their paper work. One day perhaps I might not bother to ring them – and I have the feeling nothing different would happen when we turn up to drop off the car. 😜 We have arrived and it is only 10:45. Unload the car, give the keys over – confirming that it will get a clean before we pick it up. The one time we didn't get it cleaned it turned up covered in shit – well building debris. I think it had been parked somewhere close to Syria – and a bomb had gone off close!

 

Ciggy on the way (not for me lol) – and into the Virgin Atlantic area – boy has it changed since the last time we were there – funny thing is that they are moving terminals – can't see them taking it all with them – lol. Go into the area and the queue is very small – maybe 2 in front of us. Within five minutes we are chatting with the representative – and our luggage gets upgraded to premium economy and has a disabled luggage tag applied to it as well. The wheelchair gets its own luggage tag too – and we head back out to the smoking area for a final cigarette – as will be at least 10 hours before the next puff can be taken legally! As mentioned previously the special assistance has been booked so all looking pretty good.

Back down the walking travellator (now it's funny - here I can take the wheelchair on one – but we often get caught behind people who just get on and stand – rather than walk – where as the ones in Universal Studios "Studio Walk" we are not allowed on at all – still one of those things and more to follow!!). Go through to passport control and the scanners! Long queue here – as they combine the family and the disabled into one line – and boy there are a lot of kids in buggies. Quite a few school children age too – so it's kind of funny that we pick a time when kids have gone back (always used to piss me off having to be at school on my birthday!) but here we are at the airport surrounded by kids! God I sound like a real misery guts here…

In front of us is an elderly group – well 3 women and 1 man – who go through – and as they pass the guy who has scanned their boarding passes "Mr Scanner" says good luck – to which the singular man replied "gonna need it – bound to nag me to death the three of "em". I nearly wet myself with mirth – although trying to hide my smile from everyone! Wouldn't want to put any ideas into peoples' minds, would I?

Queue slowly dwindles and we are through – well I am – collecting all the bags, belts laptop etc from the four trays that we use – to see Pat – or rather the wheelchair - getting a real thorough going over. So we are finally into departures……

Having got up so early and not wanting to eat before the journey – nothing worse than a full belly on a journey – oh wait a full bladder is probably worse - means we are feeling a bit hungry. In this terminal, there is no Maccy-D's so as we look around Pat suggests Wetherspoons! So, we go over and there is a table free in the outside bit. We grab the menu and the choice is to say somewhat limited. We decide on two ordinary breakfasts – one tea for Pat and a drink of my "choice"! Now as you know me….. it's obvious what I will be having.

So, I go in to order– and it's an absolute nightmare. Not enough staff plus the staff that are on do not take notice of any kind of order of arrival at the bar. I am standing beside a young girl – who was there for ages before I got there – and we are bypassed for ages – until I call over one of the staff, who says "your next". He then comes up to me and I point to her and say she was first – and he looks daggers at me! He does however take her order and she says thank you. Once he has finished hers he buggers off back up the bar leaving me and my bar-sitting chin un serviced. Next member of staff that comes close gets the "any chance of service at this end" plea and she does actually come to me next. Order and am told wait will be at least 20 minutes – that's fine says I.

I get back to the table and Pat is playing her games – so decide as I have a bit of time – to go and grab a paper plus a bottle or two for the flight (soft drinks…..). There is a W H Smith close (although not called that) so grab the Sun, two cokes (buy one get one half price) and a water for Pat – and go to the self-service tills! Scan the items and the machine asks for the boarding pass (didn't think that was required anymore but had grabbed it anyway – so scan the barcode – "ping" – and nothing until the screen states "Please scan your boarding pass". So redo it – "ping" and "Please scan your boarding pass". On the fourth attempt, I am still getting the same – and there is a button to press for assistance. Which I do – expecting the lights on the terminal to change (currently showing green) like it does in Tesco when I shop. The light remains green and the terminal is now asking me to scan my fooking boarding pass for the millionth time. Maybe a slight exaggeration but you get the gist.

Standing there, looking around thinking I am just going to leave this – and a girl who appears very fresh out of school, wearing the company's uniform so obviously a member of staff – comes at look along the line so I call her over. As she approaches she says quite loudly – "you need to scan your boarding pass!" So red rag to a bull perhaps – but I gently inform her I have tried on numerous occasions – so she takes said boarding pass, and passes across the scanner and like magic – ping and…..wait for it….. wait for it…. "Please scan your boarding pass". She immediately looks a bit confused and retries… with exactly the same result! She taps away and bingo I can now go to the pay screen – but all in all it has taken quite some time.

I leave the shop – and return to Pat to find breakfast congealing on my plate. It had turned up within a few minutes of me leaving, and it was probably a further 5 minutes before I returned. Still dig in as am feeling quite hungry – guess dealing with idiots gives you a hunger! Even though not as hot as you would normally hope – it is still quite filling. Gently drinking my pint (yes you are right that was my drink of choice – although not a Kronenberg 1664 just a Carling) and Pat finishes her tea. She is playing one of her games so we sit still for a while.

A young Irish couple sit on the two-seater table beside us (we have a four seater as that was all that was available when we arrived) and another older person comes over to stand beside them. Obviously together but the lady does not have a seat. As we finish our drinks (ok Pat had finished ages ago – but it takes me a while with a pint – oh wait who am I kidding…) I stand and tell them we are moving, so if they want to grab the table now is their chance! Their faces are a picture as they are not used to this. Having said that they are really grateful and move – just as another couple were heading over to try and nab it. Ha ha tough luck losers!

So, it is now shopping time and I am asked is there anything I want? I nearly choke, as tradition states (it's in the rules – honest guv!) that at least one piece of new Arsenal merchandise flies with me. So head off towards JD sports – and have a quick look, as we have almost a new full set again of strips! I look at the "normal" away strip – the yellow – but Pat quite likes the new third strip – which is deep blue with bright almost luminious yellow/green sleeves and markings. Must admit it does look a cool shirt – so after ensuring that we get one of my size that is the lowest price (yes there was a mix of sizes and prices on the shirts) we purchase the shirt and consider our next purchase carefully.

oth of us are requiring some kind of smelly (eau de cologne/after shave etc) as we hadn't packed them and thought about buying something new so head to that area – but cannot believe the prices. I always thought that duty free was supposed to be cheaper! So, no purchase there and we head off towards the tobacco area – that is now well hidden – well actually the last few times we have flown we have gone there – but it is now so unobvious with its lack of signage etc. Must be a pain for the company trying to make a buck!

So, we enter through the maze – ha ha – and it is empty of people – well apart from the staff member who comes over and asks do we need help. We don't and go straight to the Amber Leaf (being the smoke of choice), and I can hear Pat's chin hit the floor. Five packets are £40 – again not that much cheaper than the high street, so we quickly due a U-turn and head back out. So still about an hour before the flight gets called and not a lot to do.

We find a place to sit – well Pat has her own seat (stop with the bum jokes for goodness sake – ED) and I can perch (oooh another bird reference slipped in the diary) (smoothly done – ED) on one of the seats. Pat begins to play her games on her iPad – so I decide to go and look at things techy. So walk over to Currys where almost at once I am jumped upon by a somewhat keen sales assistant! Don't get me wrong – sometimes that can be a god-send but when you are just browsing it's a pain! Try as I might he seems to hang around (ooh maybe I am a shifty type or something) and its really difficult as soon as I appear to have an interest in something he is either explaining what it does, or the cost, or that it can be shipped. I felt like telling him exactly where to go – but he was like a little lap-dog and you just can't hurt their feelings! So I move completely out of the store, half expecting him to follow – but I guess he gets the hint.

Continue to walk – looking at the various shops – and end up back in JD sports, where I'd bought the Arsenal shirt. I had spotted the Team GB Olympic rugby shirt so looked closer at it – and decided what the heck and bought one in the same size as the footy shirt. Now what I had forgotten is that rugby shirts are somewhat a closer fit – so a fat boy like me needs a bigger size – which of course became all so obvious when I tried it on the first time in Florida where I couldn't take it back – doh!

Head back to Pat, and she is still playing her games – although she did have to move the bags as I had left them out of her reach from the wheelchair! We look at the departure board (fortunately we had stopped close to it – and we had about 10 minutes before the flight is to be called. Those 10 minutes fly by and we begin our journey towards the gate (I remember the last time being told which gate it would be by the special assistance team – but hey, we can't have everything (don't you mean anything – ED), and as per usual it is a bit of a walk/push to the gate.

Not too many people here yet – so offer up the boarding passes – they are scanned – and "ping" the lady looks down and advises us that there is a secondary security check – and it is on Pat! So we get pulled to one side – and another "lady" comes over and asks if Pat can please stand! When she is informed that Pat cannot stand – her face changes – and although I couldn't smell anything there must be a really dirty smell in the air – well it would appear so from her looks. A huff like sound comes out of her mouth, and she starts to check out Pat and the wheelchair. After a few agonising minutes – well for her anyway, we are allowed to move off, so head down to the front just before the doors that will open allowing us access to the plane.

As we take our positions special assistance comes over to advise he will be with us shortly and off he heads. We are left sitting here – but there are a couple of guys with bottles of water to hand out as people get on the plane. Its very hot on the plane and they are trying to help. We are chatting away – he offers us a paper but I had already bought mine for the journey, and he also slips us a couple of extra bottles – to save a little time.

"Virgin Atlantic are pleased to announce that flight VS015 is now ready to board" booms out over the tannoy – but Mr Special assistance is nowhere to be found! The first-class passengers get on – then others that require assistance, and we are still there. Then the call comes out for normal boarding and we both groan. Yes it has happened to us again. We sit and watch as almost everyone else gets on the plane and we are still waiting there. Finally, the Special Assistance team arrives (the name kind of says it all maybe should be changed to special needs if only for those within it) – they had been waiting for the aisle chair to become available (funny thing the aircraft has its own!!).

So into the queue to get on – and when we arrive at the doorway it's a quick change into the aisle chair and then begin the journey to the back of the plane with every one already in their seats gawping as if they have never seen anyone in a wheelchair – into the very back seats on the nearer wing side. Ahh wait – we find out as we arrive at our seats that 63 is not the back in the wing seats, those seats are numbered 64 and have a young couple in them with a child on their lap! The stewardess comes over and we explain what we had booked and what has actually become the reality. She quietly speaks with the young couple, but they totally refuse to change even when Pat's back issue is explained. "We won't bang the seats blah blah blah" but that appears cheap words. At one point the child, although on my side is kicking the seat – which of course transfers down the two seats. Pat is very understanding – and our stewardess Amy is also very good – fussing over us a bit – although she couldn't actually improve the situation.

Very soon after the usual safety video and chat we are underway – and Florida is only a matter of 8 hours away! First of the trips up the aisle for the stewardesses and it's the menus for the meal on board, then again with drinks.

A cup of tea requests Pat, to which Amy advises her that it is cold drinks at the moment but she will get her a tea as she passes the gallery area. So, a beer for me then! Ha ha. Good to her word as she and the other stewardess get to the galley, she dives in and a matter of minutes later Pat is nursing her tea. We look at the menus – and there is some choice – but as usual we are worried that we will be served last and there won't be any of our choice left. That has happened to us over the last two trips to the US – so guess we must be used to it!

However, for once (woo hoo) they begin at the back of the plane, so Pat gets her teriyaki chicken and I get the chilli beef wedges. It is very tasty and filling, but normal airplane food stodgy style! The wine that is also served with the meal is quite passable, if a little small ;-)

Pat is playing games, and although there a few films which I might have watched, most I have already placed on the computer for consumption during the holiday – so I decide to continue watching the series Tru-Blood that I am in the process of re-watching on my PS Vita.

I manage to watch a couple although truth be told I am kind of zoning out rather than taking them all in. After finishing the two episodes I decide to see what else is available on back of the chair entertainment system. I come across a quiz game, that is played across the plane, with a set of 10 multiple choice general knowledge questions, the quicker you answer each question the more points you score – and at the end of each game the person on the plane with the highest score sees their name at the top of the table, with a congratulations message too! So, the first time I play – I manage top 10, but hadn't really tried. I did notice a few seats up from me the congratulations note – so thought I would try again. For the next three games, I do not get a question wrong, and am answering quite quickly – so win three games on the trot. The person in front after my third win – signs out of the game and puts a film on! I laugh to myself, and also decide to stop. I go and see if I can get Pat a cup of tea and actually its quite easy, as I walk into the galley area there is Amy who is only too willing to help.

It's now second meal time, consisting of a nice wrap. Again, consumed quite quickly as it is very delicious. All too soon it is gone, so I settle down again, this time playing one of what I would class as a "Pat style" game – which is quite relaxing and a bit similar to Tetris – ok you have to make groups etc. to remove items off the screen. We haven't seen the stewardesses for a while and then realise why – they are all putting their landing faces – well touching up their make-up (the boys as well – ha ha). I am playing the quiz game again – and winning again. The crew ensure as usual we are all belted up, and as the plane banks we can see the lush green of Florida stretching out in front of us.

The landing itself is good – a couple of minor bumps – but we are down on the runway. At which point as is the norm now you can hear a definitive "click click" as seat belts get undone. However, unlike the last few landings we have been on – a lot – and I mean a lot - of people get up out of their seats. Possibly ten percent of those around us (like sheep – 1 gets up and the others follow - baaaa). An announcement is made to "please sit down until the pilot turns off the seat belt sign." A few look a touch sheepish (I so had to get that one in after my earlier sheep comment !!) although a few continue to try and gather their items. One or two of the stewardesses are fussing around – but only for a minute or so, until the seat belt sign goes off and all hell breaks loose! Well what happens is that just about everyone gets up although no one can leave the plane. I end up with a bag banging into me as the person is putting it on their back even though they can go nowhere!

Suddenly there is movement – and people file through the aisle and we stay put. Once most have left from around the vicinity I stand and get our bags down ready, and Pat gets off her wheelchair cushion, so that I can take it to the front where – hopefully – the wheelchair awaits. That might sound a bit strange – but on one holiday had it not been for someone we were travelling with, the wheelchair would have been purloined by a really miserable old battle-axe who rather than wait for the special assistance to show with their wheelchair – tried (very unsuccessfully) to take ours as "it's a wheelchair and we will take it." She had been (on that trip) one of the first to get out of her seat, and pull the old man travelling with her (the one that required special assistance) along until he could walk no further!

Apologies for the slight digression there – but hey it builds the story nicely – ha ha ha! So we are sat (ok I am standing) awaiting the special assistance to turn up. Amy is fussing over us in a very professional manner – and still we sit (or stand!). After about 10 minutes she advises us that there is an aisle chair onboard (in case it was needed to get to the toilets), and she would go and get it and take us to the front as that was all we were really waiting for. At that point dear old special assistance turns up with chair. The cynical part of me (is there a piece that isn't? – ED) wishes that maybe she should have said that earlier…. But hey-ho such is life.

Pat is in the chair in a flash – then the belts that secure her are attached and after a few minutes we are off – me in the front carrying the bags (and everything else – umm think pack-horse!). Normally once the transfer to our wheelchair occurs the special assistance seems to stop but not this time! He takes control of the chair and is off – hitting every bump along the way I might add – really think that some kind of license should need to be obtained before being put in charge of a wheelchair – ahh wait I'd need one and I am useless! Ha ha ha.

We are taken through to the arrivals hall, but as we pass another couple one also in a wheelchair, they ask if they can join us, special assistance says yes – so he pushes in trying to get in front of me (I am following Pat and the special assistance – but the incomer wants to be behind the guy. So, as I speed up to return he bangs his wheelchair into my ankle – and gets my "what the heck" look that has been known to wilt trees (OK in my dreams….)! He looks furiously at me – then it is almost like a lightbulb goes off in his head (there is probably lots of space in there for the tiny bulb I might add) and he almost apologises as he realises that I am with the wheelchair! We are whisked down the line – to the front and are called forward quickly, although we have made a slight mistake. We filled out two immigration forms but only need the one as we live together! (I don't remember that being the case last time – but I may be wrong).

We are signalled through and so to the baggage carousel, and Pat's bag is off quite quickly, whereas mine takes an age. Nothing unusual there then, a theme that may recur later in our holiday….

We now go and join the second queue – but again we get preferential treatment through and in, and now have to get to the terminal via the short train journey. We can either take the bags with us – or let them be taken but then we will have to pick them up from another carousel! So, Pat goes to the train via the lift, and I take the bags to the train via the escalator. First train is very busy – so let it go and wait for the next one which takes about 30 seconds to arrive. We are now out into the main part of the airport, and we have to go and sort out the paperwork for the hire car, and then go down to where we collect the car. You cannot smoke until you get outside – and as the queue is quite small (well we are at the front) decide that the nicotine catch up can wait. Unfortunately, it takes forever to actually get to the desk, before signing away our lives (or so it seems) before we are given the paperwork, and we can make our way down.

A toilet break is also needed – so Pat goes in while I watch the bags, then I take her to the smoking area (or should that read the area where you smoke??). English can be a funny language sometimes as the idea of a smoking area is quite worrying) which is outside – boom the heat really hits us - and return myself to the toilet and air conditioning!

After washing my hands (good boy – ED) I return to Pat, at about the same time as the nicotine fix is completed! Finally, into the garage – and bugger me another queue! As we stand one of the managers comes out and starts to point people to rows of cars – and he looks at our paper work and points down one with a few really nice cars. The trouble is they are parked quite closely together with not enough space to get the wheelchair down the driver's side for Pat to get in. There was one really nice one – unfortunately we couldn't get even close to it, but in the end, chose one which suited our needs. It is a chevvy ("bye bye Miss American Pie" – oh wait I am not singing a Don McClean song….) and once we are in set the Sat Nav for the Fountains (I had a print out in the paperwork with the zip code), and Pat starts the engine!

The car that we had really liked, but couldn't access, was taken by an Asian gentleman and his son, who managed to get in it a lot quicker than we did into ours, and proceeded to pull out then drive in completely the wrong direction at us – fortunately we had not actually begun to move at that point!

Last time we had taken the wrong lane on the toll road but this time we were in the right lane, and pulled up – all be it a touch away from the window. The toll booth guy (not sure of the real term – pretty sure there must be one though) refused to get out so Pat had to lean a long way – even removing her seatbelt. Two things here – firstly I would have jumped out – but there were signs stating "stay in the vehicle" and secondly on the way I had seen the sign stating $1.25 so had handed Pat the exact amount. Trouble is that was not the toll amount that is the amount if you are leaving here – not continuing – so need to pull another dollar out! So much for being prepared! Toll paid and journey onwards, noticing that since the last time we were here (OK it was two years…) a lot of roadworks seem to have been undertaken allied to a lot still being done!

The most changes we see is on International Drive – in fact there is major roadworks around the 7-11 where we got our milk and supplies on the first night last time – so much so that we drive past it before realising we are there.

Half mile down the road is the sign for the Fountains – so pull in – and where we stopped last time to register is all closed up – with a sign pointing towards the original registration area, so back in the car, and round the roundabout (yes a roundabout in Florida!) and drive back – having to go through a security gate – showing the paperwork and find a parking space. Fortunately, the disabled one is clear – woo hoo – and disembark the-car ready to sign in.

There is no queue – so straight over to the desk – but as it is very high – well chest height to me – Pat can see and hear absolutely nothing, so it's a relay effort for me, as I give her the paper work (having neater handwriting than my usual scrawl) to complete, although she does move down the desk to where there is a ledge for her to work upon. The receptionist is fairly efficient, helping us as required, and then we need the car details. I head off to get the licence plate number and check the make and model of the car. As I return Pat is laughing her head off at me – as in her hand she had the key fob – which has all the details on it – DOH! Even the colour – although we disagree with the fob – the colour of the car is definitely not what it is claimed! As we hand back the paperwork – we are given two key-cards, and a map is explained to us – and we are told we have a room in Block 10 – which is the block we stayed in last time. It was difficult not to "whoop whoop" when told.

We are informed that we need to see the concierge who will provide us with the parking voucher and our wrist bands – yes, we have to have wrist bands to confirm that we are guests as it would appear there has been a series of people using the facilities that should not have – so now it's like we are on holiday in Fuerteventura and have to show our wrist bands for everything. We are also advised that we will need to attend an owners' update meeting the following morning BUT that it is was not like the old days – (i.e. a hard sell type of meeting lasting hours and hours) - but limited to a maximum of one hour - and it would be a chance for the representative to provide us with news - details of the account - and a general update on what has changed with the group since the last time we were here.

That was her words – well slightly paraphrased to make it read correctly – but her words! We can have a meeting at any point in the morning and remembering the last time (getting up going to a welcome meeting with Virgin, then a bit of rushed shopping – and dashing back – we decide on 11:30 tomorrow. She has troubles finding us on the system – apparently, the unique identifier is a phone number – and because ours would an international she cannot find it. After about 10 mins of phaffing around she gives up and says she will find us on the system, and we don't need to waste any more time!

Before we leave, she asks if we have our holiday planned – and when I say we have our tickets she then gives us loads of coupons – and coupon reclaim coupons (really?? - ED) and her colleague even suggests if we are hungry to go to the café area just over from their desk. Nicely helpful so we go over to peruse what is on offer – to see that the tables are far too high for Pat well even me with my fear of heights – yes tall stools at tall tables. Part of me is thinking "what a knob" as we walk away – but I would never say that out loud – (no just write it down for people to read – ED)

So, we" jump" back into the car and drive over to Block 10 (just around the corner from the "old" well the one used last time - reception area) –already we are going back on ourselves umpteen times – but pull into the parking and we have another disabled bay. Could this be a good sign of things to come? We can but hope.

With Pat manhandling the wheelchair herself and me taking most of the bags we enter the foyer and hit the button for the lift, there are two of them so not too long a wait – and in. Press the button for level 4 and the lift goes up. (kind of fortunate being on the ground floor but please excuse me – ED).

We find the room – and as we had booked it was an accessible one (big sign at the door telling us so), so we enter, and begin the review. Main room as expected but major disappointment when we head into the bed-room with en-suite.

Firstly, no spa bath – just a step in (note the words) "normal" low bath, and a step-in shower are the en-suite. Now call me old-fashioned but what is accessible about step in anything? So are we happy – guess not I hear you cry – too right says I! So we get everything together again – and take Pat and the bags back to the car – and head back (ooh déjà vu déjà vu'd lol!) to the reception area

So, we are back in reception and explain the issues. Takes two of them a while firstly to understand what we are trying to tell them (like it's a completely different language maybe??), and then to come up with a solution. We explain that although we had booked an accessible room – we could and did manage last time so an ordinary room will be fine!

We will still be in block 10 -but will be one floor down – room 10312 to be exact, so back to the car – and into the car park – only this time no disabled bay, someone else had got in there in the 20 minutes we had been away 🙁!

Back into the lift – this time slightly less burdened with luggage until we confirm that we are going to be happy here, and as we approach the room we note the accessible signage on the door. My heart sank a touch – believing that it was going to be the same as we had just moved from – meaning no spa bath which we really wanted as having a low step in bath etc. really would not be good for Pat.

However, once in, we find that it does indeed have the spa bath - good for Pat's back – but still no seat in shower area (again step up) but better for us! I then move the bags from the car to the room, while Pat makes a drink – using a saucepan for heating the water for the tea – as no kettle (just like last time!) We had purloined a couple of milk sachets while on the plane so no need to go and find milk, and although we are slightly hungry we can always utilise some of the "snacky" food we had brought with us.

I try and access the internet using the dongle that we had brought with us – but the wifi indicator remains orange when if everything was good would have gone green. As we are both tired – well it has been a very long day since we first awoke – I decided it could wait until the morning.

A final drink and ciggy for Pat, and we are tucked up ready for sleep – which unsurprisingly comes very quickly!