Finally in Boston!

20th August 2011

Who would have thought that George and I would already have had an adventure? We left home on time and were driven beautifully and efficiently into Toronto by Fiona. She grabbed us the only buggy for our excessive luggage..no one else had nearly as much believe me..and we said our good byes. All went well at check in and we made our way to the loung, had our lattes and short bread and boarded in fine order. We took off on time and commenced our flight to Boston. We had our books and wine and were enjoying the sunny blue skies outside and reading when the Captain spoke to us: "Sorry folks but Boston Airport has closed down because of a storm, which this plane cannot fly through safely so we are landing in 15 minutes in Montreal." ...consternation from passengers about arrangements and connecting flights but we thought oh nice! We both love Montreal. We landed and some passengers chose to de-board (?) and we waited while their baggage was identified and removed from the hold. We thought we would probably spend the night waiting out the storm in Montreal....but no. "We have been instructed to fly you back to Toronto" the Captain (a very young woman who should have been in school!)told us. Oh no! Who wants to spend the night in Toronto?! Well...to cut a long story short: we returned to Toronto and were rebooked on a flight to Boston at 8 am this morning. No hotel suggestions, no vouchers....just fend for yourselves. George lost it with customer service....a guy who was being far too casual for G's taste! Not his fault but at least look concerned will you? We collected our considerable (I'll run out of adjectives for our luggage soon and we haven't boarded Explorer yet!) luggage (a sweet customs woman found us a buggy) and made our way to the taxis. A really nice Indian driver (I do love Indians!) took us to the Raddison on Lakeshore and for $200.00 we found a lovely big...as it should be..room. We freshened up and made for the Queens Quay and a dinner looking over the lake and watched all the other Porter Airline planes taking off from the Island Airport....that didn't improve G's mood! Actually I had a comfort helping of fish and chips in true British style and wine which finally knocked the stuffing out of me. After dinner I retired to a long phone talk with Sheila (with happy news of Bess who is chasing the ground hogs away from her lawn and getting on splendidly with Lady. George wandered round the Quay listening to loud music, returned to the hotel, and then we both crashed. (I would have phoned you Fiona but my cell phone had died yesterday morning as you know....and you're long distance.)

I was awake at 5.30am and meditated only to be interrupted by a loud ringing wake-up call. We dressed and took a cab to the airport a full 3 minute drive, grabbed two buggies, (we're learning our way round!), and checked in again. "That will be $21.00 for overweight baggage please" said the airline clerk...g's voice stern and brooking no argument WE PAID YESTERDAY!,...."Oh right...alright sir". I should b----- think so!

Cappuccinos this time and biscottis (how on earth do you spell that?) and a relaxing read. Called to Flight 1943 to Boston and here I am now, having 'brunched' and dumped our luggage with a charming porter, in the Seaport Hotel sitting in an elegant armchair at a huge window writing my blog. The man directing the Taxis was genuine Irish from outside Dublin. Are you a "cultchy"? I asked, a name I learned from a Dubliner I once knew, (it means a country bumpkin) and he laughed uproariously and looked at me with new respect. He also confirmed that our idea to relax in a hotel near the port was a good one...an opinion not shared until then by our taxi driver....another Indian!

So...we board at 3 pm. George wandering around while I typed this has already seen our home for the next three and a half months, the beloved MV Explorer at the Black Falcon Quay, Cruise terminal of Boston...just down the road, thank goodness . Is it still floating then? I asked, he nodded...apparently it is.