As per our instructions, we called the desk to say we were ready to depart, and almost instantly a bellhop appeared to collect our luggage and stow it on the mini-bus. Six others boarded with us and we headed for the airport. The Rome airport is HUGE - the line up at AirCanada was short, but there were thousands of people in roped off zig-zag lines waiting to get through security - then another lengthy line for passport control - then a sit and wait. There weren't really enough seats for everyone in the lounges, and so we paced for awhile, sat for awhile, paced for awhile. When boarding time finally arrived, we actually had to board a bus to take us out onto the tarmac and climb the steps to the plane. Having seats at the rear of the plane, we were among the first to board, though Bernie almost had an altercation with a tiny Oriental lady who was laying claim to the upper storage bins, saying "that space is for my sister." He politely but firmly said "No, that space is for anyone who needs it, and you can't reserve it." She wasn't happy. She was also saving space on the other side of the centre row of seats - what a nerve..... then the Bridge Club Leader tried to rearrange some of the seats so her group could sit together. I don't think they cared, but she was, as one of her charges said, 'micromanaging again'....
Departure was supposed to be 11:30 am, but we taxied out at 12 noon, with an announcement from the crew that there were strong headwinds and they expected a longer than normal flight.... so we settled in, waved goodbye to the Mediterranean Sea
and flew over the mountains of southern France and Spain ... the turbulence was awful! It seemed to go on forever and though I tried not to, I have to admit that going through my mind were thoughts like 'Darn! Such a lovely vacation and now we're not going to make it home!" Obviously we did.
We landed in Toronto the expected hour behind schedule, and in chilly drizzle which did not impress us - after collecting our luggage, we breezed through customs and caught the shuttle bus that took us back to the hotel parking lot where we had left our car. The shuttle driver was really nice - he didn't just drop us at the lobby, he took us right to our car. Then the fun began - Bernie clicked our remote trunk opener and nothing happened - he clicked the remote door opener and nothing happened.... he used the key to get into the car and tried the ignition ... nothing happened. Apparently leaving the map light on for nearly three weeks has some effect on the battery! Thank goodness for CAA - they appeared about forty-five minutes later and then we were on our way. The drive back to Ottawa was routine, and as we turned into our driveway, there were signs that a terrific windstorm had taken place in our absence - branches and debris down everywhere - luckily the roof had been spared. We later learned one of our big trees had taken out a hydro line and caused a 5 hour power failure for the entire subdivision...
The house was cool, needed airing, there were stacks of mail to sort, but here we are -
Until next time.....
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