Ready for the off!

It was a revelation that we had so much time on our hands today, before our departure to the Holiday Inn at Gatwick! Normally, we have to get up ridiculously early and head off in the dark when we go on holiday, but today we were able to pootle about, clean the house, have a late breakfast of scrambled eggs on toast, and take things at a slower pace! 

I printed off our notes for Isla, moved the cat beds into the kitchen and shoved last-minute bits into the cases. Sophie hoovered the house, and by 2.30pm we were ready for the off! Miraculously, Gomez and Mooney made an appearance, much to Sophie's delight, so we fed them before we left. They looked a bit bemused as to why their beds were in the kitchen, but I don't want them taking live or dead animals into the living room while we're away! Now they have free access to going in and out through the catflap, who knows what they'll bring in!

The M1 and M25 were busy and at times we crawled along slowly. It was obvious a lot of people were on the move because of Christmas, but we made it to the Holiday Inn by 5.30pm. Sophie's map app on her phone directed me down a dark narrow lane and we saw a proper deer (not a Muntjac one)!

We checked in with a friendly receptionist and we were delighted to find we had two rooms next to each other with a connecting door. That made everything so much easier! It was also good for Sophie's peace of mind!

The receptionist made a booking for dinner for us, and at 6pm we went down to the bar for a drink. Sophie and I shared a bottle of Chenin Blanc white wine which was £32 while Keith had a beer. We were a bit taken aback at the prices, but we were a captive audience and the thought of going out and finding a pub did not appeal!

We spent a great hour and a half chatting and people-watching in the lovely bar. I was bemused by the number of people sitting staring at their phones, even those where it was just a couple. Don't people speak to one another any more? A steady stream of people arrived to check in and the car park filled up. We were all wondering how busy Gatwick would be tomorrow?

Dinner was disappointing. Keith chose the lamb, which had run out, and then the steak and ale pie,  which had also run out, but the waiter was a bit gormless and hadn't thought to let us know which dishes weren't available before we ordered! We ordered a cheesy "pizzette" to share before our main courses, Sophie and I had a chicken burger with French fries, while Keith finally chose the pork belly. My chicken was charred and tasted burnt and there was only a slice of lettuce and tomato in the burger, no other veggies or salad! I don't think Keith was impressed with his pork, either!

By 9pm we were back in the rooms and I caught the end of The Holiday and then a programme showing the Funniest 30 Christmas comedy moments. Sophie set her alarm for 4.45am and we decided to have an early night! I was not looking forward to the scrum at the airport tomorrow!