On the Way "Trip to the North" day 1 + 2

Tuesday August 8

Well, I think we are ready. The "Schultüten" done, indoor plants prepared, hummingbird feeder taken in (don't want the leftovers get bad and bird sick), 3 church cookbooks printed and handed over for proof and yes, suitcases packed. It is noon. The Uber is called = 11 minutes away.

Where is he. Oh, already in CR.

Good timing. Check-in was fast. Security was fast. Time to relax. We had brought sandwiches but were thirsty. We asked the place whether they mind if we would eat it there. So friendly. Ubsolutely no problem. Hey, for the prices of those beers there really shouldn't, ha-ha. 

Today we are flying with United Airlines. They sent James a notification about an app for his iphone. There are the two baggage details. If he wants to, he can follow were the suitcases are. But we don't need it. We have an airtag in each one. And in each backpack. 

All went so well that we have time to w.a.i.t.

Finally. RIC to IAD.

14.55 taxing to the runway.

"Find Me" tells us that yes, suitcases made it. Fun.

18:54 a little later than scheduled we are in the plane to London were we had not much layover time to catch our plane to Oslo with SAS. We already know we will miss it. But since we have all day....

We have comfortable seats. Snacks and a (plastic) glass of white wine.

Chicken or vegetarian. I am actually not that hungry. Vegetarian this time. A bit boring except the salad because the dressing is very tasty. Real silverware in cloth fabric and glass wine glasses. That is nice.

The flight was smooth. Soon it had been dark. James was able to sleep which is no surprise. I didn't which is also no surprise. I had bought a book at the airport and could not put it aside. I am halfway through when we arrive.

Yeah, the luggage has arrived. But our next plane has gone.

Wow, it was a long walk from the plane (in Terminal 2) until we found a airline service desk. But we asked and were told were to go to get a new connecting flight. There was no line and the lady was very nice. Instead of 7:05 with SAS we were now flying to Oslo with British Airways 766 at 13:00. Got to Terminal 5. Is there an airline lounge we can use? No, not there. But we got a voucher for 17 pounds each to have lunch or something. Not bad. But we want to go to the gate first. 

We need to take a bus to Terminal 5. The bus says 11 minutes to destination. We have to go through security. In security we find out that we actually can not go through because what we have has not really a boarding pass. There is no scanning thing on it. But we are told very nicely were to go (behind security) to get that and come back. When we have the boarding pass we are send to Terminal 3. Another bus. 6 minutes to destination (except somehow it took a bit longer, ha-ha). That security line is looooong. But we have time. No problem. At every one of those there seem to be different rules. Shoes off, no shoes off. Take this out, don't have to. But, it is for our safety so I really don't mind.

OMG, when we are finally through all of it we find that we have lots of time until we even know what gate to go to. In Heathrow there is is large center place with all the expensive duty free shops around and lots of seats around with none-working gadget charter places were you have to wait and looks at the boards were it tells you to which gate to go to. 

At this time 09:53 the flight BA766 said that gate would be announced at 12:15

Time to do something with those vouchers. We found what looked a bit like a Japanese place. Very nice. James had something on a huge steamed bun.

I had a ramen. With drinks the vouchers took easily care of all.

Finally we are in our last plane for today. This plane too left a little late but no more connections.

Arriving in Oslo soon. This flight was a bit bumpy especially at the end but we had a good landing.

And yeah, Christa's luggage arrived but James' airtag said that it was still in Heathrow. Where to go. Finally found the place, had to wait somewhat, but then it was our turn and the lady could not have been nicer. Yes, they already had an email that it was found. She got all the details from us, the hotel, where to text to, where to email to etc. And we received right away confirmation that it was in the works.

Our guide had told us how to get from the airport to the hotel = take a taxi, get a fixed price. 

We found a stand were you type in where you want to go, how many people and luggage. Several options about taxi cars come up (bit like Uber) and you pick (the cheapest). You are supposed to take a photo of what you have booked. That taxi came immidiately and we were on our way. We had been told that it would be about 45 minutes.

At the hotel. It must have been 7 or 8 by now. Met our guide. Checked in. Refreshed. Decided to walk around the block and find something for dinner. It had rained but we had raincoats. We found a very nice place. A bit like an English pub. Next to us was a lovely couple from the Netherlands with two young girls (7 and 9). They plaid a card game they had brought while waiting for there food. We talked a lot with all 4 in English and German.

It was a very lovely place. We walk back - it was still light. We do a bit of organizing (and blogging) and go to sleep. Have to do some catching up on sleep. Setting the alarm for the next morning though when the tour really starts. Excited!