Jim & Leslie's Adventures

Feb 17th, 2009 The day ends well

So Air Canada did us proud!  Within a couple of hours they had a plan.  The Gilbey family were off by 9, but we had to wait until afternoon. We also had to add one flight.  Now we had to fly to Halifax, then Montreal.  No big deal.  Sadly we missed breakfast with the Hopkins. (see menu sign above) So we got the flight to Halifax.  I took 2 Ativan.  No big deal.  We started watching movies and the flight was so short that we couldn't see the end.  I wasn't near as bothered as I thought I might be. We met Jon & Tina in Halifax and had beer, nachos and calmari!   Yum! Then onto  the second flight.  This time I skipped the pills.  Still no problem.  I was able to finish my movie, but Leslie couldn't get hers to work. We were met by Hopkins after all.  They took us home and forced us to eat Indian food and drink beer and wine.  We were naturally quite distraught.  A good day was had after all. We have some shopping to do over the next day and some repacking.  Fun, fun fun. night all!

Feb 17th, 2009 more pix of the day

Feb 16th, 2009 New flights, new hope!

Air Canada scrambled to work and got us new flights!  Yea!  Not as nice and easy as before, but still …. it goes today. Now we fly from here to Halifax this afternoon and then to Montreal on another flight at 6:15.  We should get into Montreal about 7:00pm.  Not too bad. Now as long as our family doesn't just abandon us there …..  stay tuned!

Feb 16th, 2009 First Disaster

So we were up bright and early and ready to go.  We went down for  a quick 4 am breakfast and got the news.  All flights cancelled!!!  Ice on the runway had prevented the planes from landing, so no planes to go out on. So here we sit.  In the hotel room.  On the phone.  On hold.  … I'm glad Musac went bancrupt.  Air Canada has obviously decided to make their day better by avoiding the phones at all costs.  Our travel agent doesn't open until near noon (our time) and our travel insurance is about the same.  Our hotel room expires at noon.  Sounds like a recipe for disaster.   At least we're glad we left two days play before we have to leave for Abidjan. Waiting, waiting …… "I waiting alone. My head on the phone.  Thinking of you till it hurts …."  Musac!

Feb 15th, 2009 The Road from Home

We are on our way!  We left early just in case, but the roads were mostly good.  We made it to within 1/2 hour from St John’s before it got really messy.  A moose waved bye to us as we headed out. We did our final NFLD purchasing (still more to do in Sherbrooke) and then went to the Cluney’s, who are keeping our car for us.  They took us down to our hotel room.  The hotel is about 5 minutes from the airport.  … if that.  24 hour shuttle.    Yea! We are sharing the room with the Gilby family who are on their way to Panama tomorrow.  So now its time for wine, pizza and a little relaxation!  Yea!

Feb 14th, 2009 Almost ready to go

For those who haven’t heard already (in some cases heard ad infinum), we are off to Africa! A kind benefactor has made it possible for us to spend 3 weeks (ok Penny, 20 days) in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) with Marvin & Penny Phair! Who’d ever have thought such a thing was possible. Now this is, first of all, the longest vacation Leslie and I have ever taken together. It is the furthest we have ever gone (I’ve never left the continent). And it involves over 25 hours of air travel. … Anyone that knows me well, knows that I am not thrilled about that!! But then again, that’s what Ativan is for! So we are pretty much packed (and our luggage is too) and ready to go. Tomorrow we drive down to St John’s and book into a motel for the night. Interestingly, another family in our circuit our going to Panama for 2 months and they leave the same time as we do. Since it is in the early hours of the morning, we decided to share a hotel room and have the hotel shuttle take us to the airport in the morning. We head to Montreal, Monday morning in time for breakfast. Spend a couple of days in Sherbrooke with final purchases and repacking. Then on Wednesday we begin the long, long trek to Africa! We have an eight hour lay over in Dubai, but they provide a hotel room and meal. Yea! Then on to Continue Reading →

Feb 14th, 2009 The Panic Ensues

We are in full panic mode now!  In just two days we start the journey!  We were supposed to leave on Sunday, and have Chloe drive us down to the airport.  Then Jesse Abbott (one of the founding sisters of the Bonavista Congregation) died.  The funeral is on Sunday.  So instead, we have made arrangements to leave our car in St. John's. Because of the weather we are going to head in early on Sunday.  So now is the mad packing and praying (that we don't forget anything … especially the Ativan).