So we were all up by 8am, cases packed.

The cats considered coming with us



We decided not to put the suitcase ribbon on until we got to the airport as didn't want to draw attention to our cases on the train. Tested the face time with Mum and it was lucky we did as Rob forgot she would need to link my iPad to her wifi, so sorted this out over the phone. Taxi arrived at 10:15am. Rob prepped us before to say, if asked, that we had someone house-sitting, and the house wouldn't be empty etc etc (in panic mode already). However the taxi driver said "I'll put your cases in the car" and then didn't speak until we reached the station 10mins later. It was a bit odd really, so we were all talking in hushed voices in case we weren't supposed to make a noise too
Train wasn't due until 10:44am so we grabbed some sweets for the journey from the shop and waited. Mum then turned up to wave us off, which was nice.

We had seats reserved (remember that saga?) so when the train pulled in we went straight to carriage B to stow our suitcases. Well that was rammed already and there was no space to put anything I got the girls sorted in our reserved seats then noticed there was a bit of space right at the bottom of the carriage so we dragged the suitcases through the carriage (I think I ran over a few feet on the way ) and left them there. Train journey was pretty boring. We took a packed lunch so ate that about 1ish. The girls sat together and watched you-tube films. I tried reading my book but didn't get very far with it. Was a bit of a novelty to sit next to Rob to be honest, as normally we would be sat with the girls. We arrived at Reading at about 2:45, and quickly found the connecting train to Gatwick. What a boring journey that was The train was so slow, and it felt like the driver needed to change gear all the time, so your head felt like it was going to explode. We stopped at something like 15 little stations and eventually got to Gatwick at about 5:15pm.

We caught the shuttle to the North side and went straight to BA twilight check-in. Because we were part of a group booking with a Charter Travel I knew there was no point us trying to use the self service so we went and queued up. There were about 6 families in front of us. Was quite worried about this part of the process as unsure where we would end up being sat, but luckily we were all in a row, sat 2/2 across the aisle, so was really happy with this The check-in lady also confirmed that Ffion had a child's meal booked. So all to plan so far. The only slight annoyance was that none of the API info had been completed by Charter Travel so the BA lady had to do that for us. She was apologetic about it, but it wasn't her fault, I had checked this with Charter Travel too and they said they would complete what they could (which I would have assumed to be our details and the Hard Rock address at least as they knew where we were staying) but seems to have got overlooked.

After getting rid of our suitcases (both well under the 23kgs) we went out of the building and across the road to the Premier Inn North. I had already checked in online so we just had to print our keys out from the self service booth. One of the staff was there to answer questions, but to be honest I already knew the answers We had a room on the 4th floor (room 118 so easy to remember ) so just tended to use the stairs rather than the lift. After dumping our stuff in the room (and realising that the suitcase ribbon was still in the pocket of my bag ) we went back across to the South side on the shuttle to eat at Giraffe. The manager allocated our table, and requested that we sit in a booth which was nice. Not sure why we got singled out for the booth, but wasn't complaining. Both Rob and I had the rodeo chicken burger with sweet potato fries and a coke, Georgina had chicken Caesar salad and a fresh lemonade and Ffion had a plain burger with chips and a coke.



In total it came to £52.85 and was very yummy. Ffion was happy as she got her plastic giraffe, and then when they brought a top up for her drink they brought another one, so George got one too. And they are both still in one piece amazingly

After finishing our meal we went back on the shuttle to the hotel. Ffion, whilst having a nosey around the room, managed to pull a panel off the wall in the bathroom, as she thought it was a cupboard It did seem to be there for maintenance so luckily Rob managed to slot it back into place. After that we wouldn't let her touch anything. Georgina used the free 30mins wi-fi and we watched the TV until about 10pm then all went to bed. Ffion's camp bed was a bit creaky which was a bit annoying because she fidgets so much. I did swap beds with her in the end, just to stop the noise. Excellent sound proofing in the room though - didn't hear any noise from outside at all, and our room faced a busy road. Would definitely stay there again

Love the title-so relevant! It hardly rained at all did it just about to read with a cup of tea now :-)

Lovely start to your trip, even if the train was a bit boring. Never mind, the plane will be quick.

Hope you enjoy it, day 1 added as well. Not sure the rest will be quite so quick


Thankyou. I really couldn't settle to anything on the train (or the plane either to be honest). I think I just wanted the travel over and done with, with no hassles

Lovely first day! What a pain with the train luggage space that's annoying. I totally burst out laughing at poor Ffion pulling a panel off the wall it's the sort of random thing my dad would do while checking everything!

Annoying about your API but glad they sorted it all in the end! Sounds like a lovely meal as well, eeek so exciting knowing you where all getting ready for the big off tomorrow xxx

Oh I couldn't believe Ffion. There was just this big crash and she came out of the bathroom lugging half the wall with her The Giraffe meal was really nice. Even though it's really busy in there it doesn't feel busy, if you know what I mean. Loved it. I'm amazed we slept at all really, knowing what was coming

You didn't let the pusscats come along? Meanie!

I feel your pain on the train journey. I find trains so boring and slow, I'd rather drive that get on one!

So funny Ffion trashing the room.

Thought it best to leave the cats behind They were spoiled anyway - I'm sure they have both put on weight while we were away

Ffion is such a vandal

Ooh long travel day but yay, you got there. Dinner sounds yummy. Omg about the wall panel, that's exactly the sort of thing one of mine would do. Bit irritating about the API, you have to enter your passport details in so many places now, it's so stressful !

Thankyou I'm so jealous of people who live about an hour from the airport Must make life so much easier, especially when you get back. Bless Ffion and her re-decorating. She really is hopeless and broke the curtain pull at POFQ too