Bens Wish To Walk: Homeward Bound!!!

Packing took a little longer than expected so it was a really late night for us.

I did not have the greatest night’s sleep but all the boys did!

So the alarm went off at 7:30am so it was a strange feel knowing that this was it and we were going home. The boys needed a rather large prod to get out of bed. So we hurried around getting the apartment all clean and tidy – Damian took all the bags down to the car & all the left food/toys we were taking over to the Residence Inn to pass on to other UK families who are staying there.

The boys were a bit quiet, I had a quiet word with Ben & we both had a little cry – we were excited to be going home but said that we were leaving America our home for the last 5 weeks. Abby called by to say good bye before she headed to work.

So a quick nip down the St Louis Bread Company for a coffee & chocolate milk then it was off to meet up with the Wardleworth’s. A quick stop and back in the car and off to the airport. The ‘BIG’ boys (Ben W & Damo) dropped us off & the took the hire cars back, which ended up taking a little longer than we thought, check-in was smooth-ish need to pay a little extra for our luggage (these Build –A -Bears!) then we look at the screen our flight was delayed an hour, so no rush needed off we went to departures.

In departures the wait got longer – We had a 3 hour gap between flights in Chicago – but this was slowly disappearing!! I was little panicked but Damo kept asking the America Airlines desk & they seemed to think we would be fine. The plane was very late, but this time all of us had had enough and just wanted to get on the plane & go home.

How to entertain yourself at St Louis Airport - Static hair - Just love it!!!

It finally arrived and we were boarded first – I was not happy as we were split up Damo & Ben at the front & Me & Jacob at the back!, but it was only a 47 minute flight so I could deal with that. We sat on the tarmac for about 45 minutes while they took ages to load the bags & then they had to hose off ice/slush from the wings. Out gap was getting smaller!!!

We finally set off on our short flight, landed at Chicago and looked at the clock it was 6:05pm, we had missed our flight. To make matter worse they took forever for us to get off the plane. A very kind American lady on the plane let me use her phone to ring American Airline, yes out Manchester flight was delayed 15 minutes – great but it was already 6:20pm! As we rushed off the plane we were greated by 6 grounds staff there to say – We have held the plane for you!

Music to our ears so all 10 of us rushed to the departure gate, passed over boarding cards and we were on. More luckily we had spare seats next to us so the boys could lay down.

Well due to the wind the flight time was 6hours 40 mins so even due to our delay we would land at 7:45am in Manchester.

The flight was non eventful really – which was great both boys slept and all was great.

We landed in Manchester to rain, which I was glad to see. Then off the plane through passport control and off to baggage claim.

All items collected plied up on the trolleys it was then time to say very said good bye to the Wardleworth’s – what a journey we had all been on, so hugs & kisses all round & we were off to find our taxi.

We arrived home at 9:30am to be greeted by a banner saying Welcome Home – it’s good to be home.