Important things

(29/8/25)

Gosh. I fully expected to blip while we waited for our gate to be announced at the airport, but ... c'est la vie!

Our last day here began early, and by 9 AM, we had most of the big things in the big cases. Then we lost momentum and found ourselves rushing until we left at 6 PM. We had been advised to leave at 5:30, but we got to Hertz to drop the car off (all OK there), and the Terminal within the three hours required. Things didn't go quite so smoothly there. My bag was 1kg over. The first lady who noticed it said to go to a manned desk, where the charge can be waived. I could have opened my case and readjusted the weight, but I persevered. Long story short, a kind lady in a completely different area processed us. It was no hassle, and we were thrilled and thankful for her customer service. She even allowed us to place one of our cabin bags in the hold.

The rest was plain sailing. We met a lady from California on her way to South Africa. It's so cool the people you meet when travelling. As I had forgotten to check in last night, we had seats in the middle aisle at the back of the plane. Incredibly, two seats on their own by the window were free when the doors closed, so we moved to them. *AMAZING!* They are the seats I would have chosen had I not been preoccupied with putting the car on charge.

And in the afternoon, straight after a late salad lunch, we raced to our last T@3. We felt genuinely welcome and accepted. It took a little coaxing to get this group shot. I've just realised G isn't in the picture! She said she didn't stand in the line-up because I wasn't in it, but I was taking the photo! Hmmm.

We said our goodbyes to our neighbours in No. 2 and No. 10, who, I have to say, have been fantastic. Ed helped weigh our big bags and then put them in the car for us. Ellie had joined us for morning coffee earlier in the day, and then happily received things from the freezer and fridge. What a relief!

The most amazing thing today was seeing a rainbow when dropping the car off. The lighting today has been amazing. There were times when it was pouring with rain, yet the sun was shining. I wish I had whipped out my camera to capture the rainbow. The phone image is not blip-worthy. I can't remember the last time I saw a rainbow. I couldn't help feeling it was a sign for us. :)) Looking back, it has been an incredible seven and a half weeks. There have been numerous challenges, but we have overcome them, often with help from friends. Both G & I have kept in good health through it all, not succumbing to sniffles despite the numerous late nights and early mornings with a few sleepless nights thrown in.

PS. The cross behind Chris (holding the T@3 tea cosy) is now in the Lodge!