Chapter 2 - The Big days arrives.....

Well before I get to the "Big Day" a couple of side commentaries....

First if you didn't get the Pioneer Womans cook book for Christmas, either buy it or put it on you Birthday list..  I made the Rib-Eye with wiskey sauce for the second time and it was just as good as the first, maybe better.

Second thank you Ed and Rachel for the bottle of Jameson Irish Wiskey you gave me Christmas 2008. Since I ran out of "Jack Daniels" for cooking I snuck a little of the Jameson into the Rib-eye. Started with a little over half a bottle and have about an inch left.  Good thing about cooking with Jameson is it's REALLY tempting to taste... Needless to say this may be a little confusing, at least to the readers....

The big day... I don't remember the date but it was the last weekend in May 1997 something.  Oh by the way I guess I'm going to have to dig out the old film camera photos, that'll be fun....

Everyone was at the house on Wilde right on time with a lot of luggage. We were going for two(2) weeks so we packed at least enough for one(1) week and we planned on laundery. Question, do they have laudromats in Ireland, guess you'll need to read more to know,, haha.... It's the Jameson...

We arrive at the airport the required two(2) hours in advance for international travel.  We check in and wait, and wait etc.. Nothing really interesting at the Colorado Springs airport... Our flight is to DIA for a connection to Washington Dulles continuing on to London Heathrow.... The five of use took most of the first class seats to Denver, boy were they (the kids ) ever rowdy, Susan was terrified as usual as it was a "small" plane a local hop 737... But it was only a thirty minute flight from gate to gate, still white knuckled all the way....

We connected to a HUGE, brand new Boeing 777. Check it out, the first class section was bigger than our living room with only eleven(11) seats.  Much better for Susan, she FINALLY decided she could stand up and get to the bio-break facilities without panic.  The kids are now in the bussiness class, all with window seats in seperate rows to eliminate any fighting, bickering or kid stuff... There really isn't anything to see from 35,000 ft and it's Dark over the Atlantic.... All three were VERY well behaved...

Well first things first, we arrive in Washington Dulles and have to get off and actually go to the terminal. No problem there's an International 1st class lounge, which they let the kids into, with just about every kind of food and liquor you could ask for. I don't know about James but I'm pretty sure Rebecca and Edward helped themselves to EVERYTHING they could "drink" and certainly everything all three of them could eat..

After waiting in the 1st class lounge for what seemed like forever, we boarded the 777 for Heathrow. Of course they had a seperate jet-way for the eleven(11) 1st class passengers as well as the thirty or so business class passengers. The HUNDREDS of coach passengers loaded by the other jet-way (aka cattle shoot).

Hmmm. there is a flight attendent for just about every two(2) passengers in 1st class. They're waiting with wine, champaign (the fancy stuff I can't even recall the name of). and pre-flight snacks.  The seats recline to a full 180 degrees, all the liqour and food you can eat is shuttled right to your fully reclining seat.... asppetizers, Filet Mignon, Lobster, crab, you name it they got it.  I suppose that's why people pay over $12,000.00 dollars for a 1st class seat/ (ours were on frequent flier miles)... Almost forgot the personal entertainment facilities with movies, games and other superferlous stuff....

It is an eight(8) or so hour flight. I HAD made it once before in coach (aka cattle car) once in business and and several times upgraded to 1st class. which I can assure you I wouldn't do unless I had plenty of frequent flier miles (all due to expire in the next few months).

I think the key is the HUGE space for only eleven(11) seats, Susan felt right at home, like she was in our living room... It was luxerious. (but not worht $12,000.00 dollars per seat, at least MY money)... Susan even drank some Champaign without using the bag usually provided in the seat back pouch....

So the plane finally arrives at Heathrow London and we break through the clouds just after sun-rise (they had already served a huge breakfast).... It looks like the movies, you know all the shots you see with the cameras flying overhead... Quite impressive and since the pattern is SO BIG with all the arriving flights it's almost a tour unto itself....

OK, gotta go get some MORE Jameson and watch "House".... more soon


Cheers.... Might even be pictures to go with chapter 3...