A long-awaited reunion

[blackcat20]

I'm getting in a little early, but let's face it, we all know that I've already started packing

Next week we are finally heading to Chicago, a long-awaited trip to take Miss 3 and Master 1 to see (and meet!) grandma. The last time we saw her, Miss 3 was just about to turn 1 and Covid was just about to turn our world upside down. Master TomCat is 17 months next week and hasn't yet met his grandma. We've put together a great trip using a mix of QFF points and some flight credits from a cancelled trip to Hawaii.



It looks a little something like this:
MEL-SYD QF J (overnight at the Rydges)
SYD-LAX QF F (yes we got three seats )
LAX-ORD AA J
After a twoish weeks in Chicago we're heading to Hawaii
ORD-LAX AA J (overnight)
LAX-KOA HA Y (five nights)
then
KOA-HNL HA F (two nights)
HNL-MEL JQ J

 

[VPS]

Finally and good to know you got Qantas to change those other flights. Looking forward to travelling along

 

[blackcat20]

Finally and good to know you got Qantas to change those other flights. Looking forward to travelling along

So much effort to get that flight changed. The last thing we wanted was to be on the last flight of the night. Now we're just trying to sort out logistics to get to the airport on time; I've taken the day off to get the animals kennelled, bags sorted etc but TV has work.

 

[blackcat20]

In a move that will surprise no one, I've already got the kids all packed
Just have to survive three more days of work (and keep avoiding covid people, I'm currently a close contact) until we go.

 

[craven morehead]

 

[love_the_life]

In a move that will surprise no one, I've already got the kids all packed
Just have to survive three more days of work (and keep avoiding covid people, I'm currently a close contact) until we go.

What about TV? I seem to recall he is not one to pack early.

 

[Pushka]

In a move that will surprise no one, I've already got the kids all packed
Just have to survive three more days of work (and keep avoiding covid people, I'm currently a close contact) until we go.

Brilliant. And we all know when TV will start packing.

My friends are flying to South Dakota next month to meet their first Grandchild. They missed the civil wedding in March 2020, Covid, then the religious wedding in October 2021, in Hawaii, Covid, and the baby is now just two weeks old. They have been packed for months. To say they are excited doesn't even come close.

 

[TomVexille]

What about TV? I seem to recall he is not one to pack early.

Brilliant. And we all know when TV will start packing.

My friends are flying to South Dakota next month to meet their first Grandchild. They missed the civil wedding in March 2020, Covid, then the religious wedding in October 2021, in Hawaii, Covid, and the baby is now just two weeks old. They have been packed for months. To say they are excited doesn't even come close.

You two will be pleased to know my bag is out and ready for packing*




*because it didn't get put away after our last trip

 

[blackcat20]

I've torn the house apart looking for my packing cubes and they are nowhere to be found. I know when I last used them and I know where they should be, but I cannot find them

 

[get me outta here]

You probably put them inside one of the other cases to keep the dust off them.

I've torn the house apart looking for my packing cubes and they are nowhere to be found. I know when I last used them and I know where they should be, but I cannot find them

 

[ellen10]

I love my packing cubes, hope you find yours. At least you are not me who cannot find my passport! It is not in the filing cabinet, where it belongs and I haven't travelled overseas for 3 years!

Glad your trip is nearly here. I hope you all have great flights and the children travel well. So lovely for Grandma. Special times!

 

[blackcat20]

You probably put them inside one of the other cases to keep the dust off them.

Nope, unfortunately not. I have a tub in my wardrobe where I keep all the cubes, shoe/laundry bags etc, and they are definitely not in there. I've searched the WIR, both kids rooms, the linen cupboard, checked all the suitcases. Cannot find them. They each fold into their own attached pouch which is handy, but also makes them small and easy to lose apparently.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Looked in the other bag?

You two will be pleased to know my bag is out and ready for packing*

 

[blackcat20]

Looked in the other bag?

Yep, I've checked every suitcase we have.

 

[blackcat20]

T-1. Last day of work today. We're all packed, just a few last minute things to go in the bag (kid's comforters etc). Dropping off all the animals first thing tomorrow. USA attestation done for me (everyone else are US citizens). Covid Vax certificates printed. Smart tags tucked into bags just in case.

 

[love_the_life]

No luck with the packing cubes?

 

[blackcat20]

No luck with the packing cubes?

Nope. I've given up, but I'm sure they will turn up when we get home Lucky they were only cheap ones but I do find them handy.

 

[blackcat20]

Well Thursday was a bit of a disaster. Our flight was cancelled and we were moved to the next one, which became more and more delayed. Eventually they just moved everyone to the 9pm, so back where we started it was a good flight, crew were great making sure the kids were sorted. Poor things were well past their bedtime but held on well, and we cabbed it to the Rydges and had them in bed around 11pm (I had them set up a cot before we arrived which helped).

I booked the plane spotters package, and while the view was good, none of the other inclusions were provided

 

[blackcat20]

Friday morning we headed across the road at 7am and beelined for F check-in. Weirdly we'd received only an email from the F host, not a call, and they'd told us if we wanted a spa booking we'd have to ask in the lounge

Check in was a bit of a mess, they indicated that Master TC didn't have a ticket, so TV ducked over to ticketing where they said there were no issues. Finally at 8 we were heading to emigration/security. With kids we use the family/assistance line which was busy but moved quickly. Security was also relatively painless and we were in the lounge by 8.30.

The lounge was busy so we were taken to a closed section of the restaurant, which was probably a good thing with two noisy kids.


Champagne was Piper, unfortunately not the Taittinger as it has been recently.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Friday morning we headed across the road at 7am and beelined for F check-in. Weirdly we'd received only an email from the F host, not a call, and they'd told us if we wanted a spa booking we'd have to ask in the lounge

Check in was a bit of a mess, they indicated that Master TC didn't have a ticket, so TV ducked over to ticketing where they said there were no issues. Finally at 8 we were heading to emigration/security. With kids we use the family/assistance line which was busy but moved quickly. Security was also relatively painless and we were in the lounge by 8.30.

The lounge was busy so we were taken to a closed section of the restaurant, which was probably a good thing with two noisy kids.
View attachment 288993View attachment 288994View attachment 288995

Champagne was Piper, unfortunately not the Taittinger as it has been recently.

They no longer pre-arrange Spa appointments unfortunately. No call either just an email from the First Host.
Enjoy your trip