Another trip-Day 1

The long flight to America is not on my "favourite things list". But it is a means to an end when you have two daughters currently living overseas. At least they are on the same continent, just not the same side.
The day began with the most remarkable run to the airport of just under 1 hour in peak hour traffic, but that was not an indication of future events. At the airport I was too early to check in, so I waited for half an hour until my flight came up. Off to the counter to discover that my bag was 2 kgs over. (Two quilts, a large jar of marmalade for Susan, a GF fruit cake and a small jar of vegemite for me might have been the issue?) Fortunately I had a spare back pack to repack enough to get the main bag back to weight. Said goodbye to my luggage and went through to immigration.
Brand new automated exiting system, which works brilliantly for adults, but not for kids who refuse to go through by themselves. Need to rethink that issue. But miracle of miracles no spot check for me!

Off I went to the furtherest boarding gate, buying water along the way only to leave it at the counter and had to retrace my steps to get it back. Luckily I knew all about the hot beverages issue with that boarding gate (hot drinks are about a "kilometre" away from the gate and you have to buy them as you go past.) So I sipped my cuppa and read most of my book during the LONG wait. Should have left at 11:50, but we actually boarded after 12 :30, to sit on the tarmac for the next hour. The Qantas flight before us was also delayed, so much so that I could have caught it. Not to worry all went well. Spare seat between me and the Canadian man by the window to store all our junk. The plane was a 747 and after the last few flights in an airbus it was much noisier and moved around more in the air, which made my numerous trips to the bathroom sometimes quite an interesting experience. Staff were lovely, especially the steward who found me some panadol before we began to fly. GF food provided and of course no sleep for me. What was even worse I had seen all the movies that appealed to me! Had to revisit quite a few.
Landed two hours late in LA but had another incredible run through immigration, of only 10 minutes, with their new automated system. Lots of our fellow travellers had missed connecting flights or were going to be running very fast. The baggage of course was slow to appear.Through customs and up the ramp to Susan, Troy and Teagan., with the last two whingeing about my delay. As soon as we exited the building, the heat was such a change form the cold day I had left in Melbourne.
A slow run back to Susan and Oscar's, before finally arriving with a much needed cuppa after being introduced to their latest pet. Churo.
By now I was in "zombie land" and had to stop and have a brief nap before I fell over. Teagan and I began a game of Monopoly, Susan was busy working and Troy was playing online with a friend. I was constantly nodding off. The kids came with me to take Churo for a walk when it got cooler. What a difference a day makes as far as the weather goes. Into shorts and light summer top as soon as I could.

It was just glorious to eat dinner outside.  (Oscar will be home late tonight) Troy starts junior high tomorrow! Teagan doesn't begin school till next Thursday.
Kids are asleep and I will be fairly close behind. Susan is uploading photos from her wedding and the ceiling fans are keeping the breeze flowing.