Home, Sweet Home

Wednesday morning at around 10:30, we checked out of our hotel in Villefranche and boarded the train into Nice. We then hopped on a bus to the Nice airport, where we caught a plane to London's Heathrow Airport. From there, we hopped on another bus that took us to Gatwick Airport, where we caught a shuttle that put us at our hotel around 8pm. Phew! We grabbed a quick dinner and went to bed.

The next morning (yesterday) we woke up early to catch the 7am shuttle back to Gatwick, so we could catch a 8.5 hour flight to Charlotte, NC, where we had a long 4 hour layover! Yuck! After we finally boarded our plane for Seattle, they informed us that the runway was closed due to an incoming storm. So we sat on the plane, at the gate, for another 45 minutes before takeoff. We arrived in Seattle, after a 5.5 hour flight from Charlotte, just after 9pm (which I think is 6am Nice time).

Our luggage took forever to come out - but finally did, thank goodness. Liz picked us up at the airport in Seattle. Thanks, Liz! We said goodbye to our travel companions. Thanks, Tanya, Troy, and Jada! And we curled up in our very own bed sometime around midnight.

We have tons of stories and photos, which I will share soon - when I can muster up the energy. In the meantime, here's an adorable Marley picture to tide you over:)

And we're off! (Almost)

Our bags are packed (mostly), the house is tidied (somewhat), our travel arrangements have been made (for the most part), and we're ready to go! (more or less). Bright and early tomorrow morning we get on a plane bound for London. Okay, technically we get on a plane bound for Philadelphia first. We're looking forward to this, most likely our last, flight with Mars as a free "lap baby". Actually, I'm not exactly looking forward to the whole flying part of it (read: dreading), but I'm very excited to be going on vacation.

I may or may not be able to update the blog while we are away. So, here's our itinerary for those who would like to imagine where we are on any given day.

July 6: Leave home at 6am courtesy of our good friend, Liz (Thanks, Liz!); Depart SeaTac Airport at 8:40 am
July 7: Arrive at London Gatwick Airport at 6:55am; Hop on a train to Reading, UK to stay at Kristina and Adam's house
July 8: Hop on a train to Bodmin, Cornwall, UK; Pick up our rental car and drive to Wadebridge, Cornwall, UK to stay at the charming Brooksdale B&B
July 9: Enjoy a day at the beach with Kristina and friends; stay at the Brooksdale
July 10: Attend a garden party at Adam's parents' house; stay at the Brooksdale
July 11: Kristina and Adam's Wedding at the Rose-in-Vale hotel in St. Agnes, Cornwall, UK; stay at the Rose-in-Vale
July 12: Return the rental car and hop on a train to London; Meet up with Tanya, Troy, and Jada; stay at the Ramada
July 13: See London; Stay at the Ramada
July 14: Take the Chunnel to Paris; Stay at the Hotel de Seine
July 15: See Paris; Hotel de Seine
July 16: More Paris; Hotel de Seine
July 17: Take the train to Nice; stay at the Hotel Provencal in Villefranche (where Jeff and I stayed on our honeymoon)
July 17 - 21: Sit on the beach; stay at the Hotel Provencal
July 22: Fly to London; Stay at the Holiday Inn near the airport
July 23: Fly back to Seattle, arriving at 9pm (Liz?)

Whew! Wish us luck!