london to new york day

The trip to Heathrow was easier than expected carrying our luggage. We were slightly later than we should have been because both Sean and Matthew said "you never need three hours". Well I scanned our passports at one of those new machines and all our information came up. I entered our U.S. VISA numbers and then I was booted into touch. We had to join the long queue and be questioned by an official before he gave our passports a sticker. Once we got to the counter I had to explain that my visa was in my expired passport and that my name had changed. The very friendly Eastern European assistant had to double check on our marriage certificate. A couple of phone calls and she gave us a friendly smile and told Michael he could kiss the bride! 

Then came security and this time all nail clippers and the one remaining pair of scissors was safely in the suitcase. The queue was slow and we were starting to run out of time. On the board we saw that it was a 15 minute walk to gate B49. What about the couple of remaining pounds in my sweaty paw? What about the tequila for margaritas? What about the hours spent last night comparing the prices of cosmetics in SA and the UK? Michael looked horrified when I asked him to wait outside the duty free shop - 5 minutes I said. Well I was quicker than my quickest ever spree in Primark yesterday. Straight to Clarins to buy a tube of their BB cream. The assistant wanted to sit me down to test the colours. No time. Medium, it would have to be. Didn't I want to try the brand new serum - only £45? Sorry no time but a tester would be appreciated. 

I was out of the shop in less than 5 minutes and we started motoring up and down stair and flat escalators. We got there with 5 minutes to spare and heard the announcement that they required two seats and were offering $500 dollars each and a ticket on the next flight for the seats. That is quite a bit of cash and we discussed it for a moment but we're now too exhausted to work out the finer details.

So here I am, writing my first blog from the air. United Airlines are pretty generous with alcohol. Michael's standards have really slipped and he had two Heinekens before lunch. Unfortunately all the airlines only seem to offer water and wine by the glass, no small bottles and no more spirits in those cute bottles. The passenger over the way from me had to pay for the 6 bottles of Baileys which he threw into a glass with ice. Greedy chap. I should have followed him as he has not opened his eyes since lunch. 

We are arriving at 7.30 (UK time) and which is only 2.30 in the afternoon in New York. It is going to be a long day.

My eyes feel hot and need eye drops and I am about to amuse Michael by I taking out my bag of tricks and start removing and re-applying my makeup. Hopefully the BB cream is the right colour. I will let you know.  

Hold thumbs for me that they let me into New York!

Later Alligators!