Leavin', on a Jet Pla...Jet Pla...Jet Pla...

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Second try at leaving SFO wasn't much better than the first. Got everyone boarded in time for the scheduled 11PM departure, taxied out for take-off, then sat, and sat and sat. Finally the dreaded voice of the pilot, "Uh, sorry folks, we can't seem to get the engines to start. We're returning to the terminal, and we'll keep you posted." This can't be happening, can it? Well, yes, it can!

Back to the terminal, where they directed us to a new gate, new airplane, then told us we had to hurry and board because unless we were all on board and the doors to the aircraft closed by 1:35AM, the crew would be illegal, timewise, and we couldn't leave. Everyone scrambled, and with only about one minute to spare we got boarded and the doors closed. Third time's a charm, right?

Uneventful flight, with most passengers just yucking it up because it was all so surreal. As we approached Sydney the pilot came on again. Westerly winds up to 35 knots, have to land to the west, not a lot of fuel to spare, but we have to circle for an hour to see if the winds will ease off. Sigh. This time our luck held, and we did in fact land at 9:12AM Saturday morning.

So here I am, Sunday morning, feeling fairly frail and hoping I'm not coming down with something, but in one piece and on terra firma.

Kitties arrived at the quarantine facility just fine and I hope they're settling in alright. If I'm up to it, I'll make the drive on Tuesday to see for myself.

Thanks to you all for your best wishes and commiserations!

Comments

Patti said…
So glad you finally got there - what a horrendous experience. I think I would have gone nuts - I hate to fly! Hope you get to see the kitties very soon.
4:44 PM
Libby said…
*sigh* I bet you thought you would never get there. It will be a fun story to tell at holiday get togethers in years to come. Glad you arrived safely and hope you are able to get settled soon.
5:54 PM
His Office, My Studio said…
Welcome home! What a way to get there. Wishes and hugs and glad you are safe.
5:57 PM
Sweet P said…
Hooray! You made it. What an eventful trip.
6:10 PM
Jeanne said…
Whew! Glad you made it!
Jeanne
8:03 PM
Tonya Ricucci said…
Sounded awful and scary, but glad you made it safely. hurrah the kitties did too!
5:22 AM
KC Quilter said…
Ohmigosh, that's awful!!! But glad you had a happy ending! I bet you are just worn out from the stressful flight. It took me a week to recuperate from the trip home from Italy!!!! Hang in there. Soon you'll be sewing....
10:21 AM
tami said…
Wow! You must have started to wonder if the trip was the right thing to do. I'm glad you and the kitties made it safe and sound.
8:16 PM
Laurie Ann said…
Glad you and the kitties made it there safely!!
10:07 AM
Anonymous said…
WOW that really is surreal - two "bad" experiences in a row... Glad to hear you & the cats all got there in 1 piece. (Did your luggage make it?)
10:23 AM
Jenni said…
Welcome to Australia. "sorry folks but the engines won't start" is a pretty scary thing to hear. Glad you got here int he end, and hope the kitties are ok
11:55 AM
Cynthia said…
WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA!!!!!
So glad you finally got here.
3:52 AM
Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said…
I'm adding to the Welcome to Australia, though unfortunately we are quite big and I can't just call with a casserole-but would if I could. I did 32 hours home from Russia once-2 days sleep was the only answer.
5:47 AM
McIrish Annie said…
Yahooo!! you made it! hope that the kitties are fine and you get settled in your new home quickly.
1:54 PM
Anonymous said…
Glad you're there in one piece and all is good.

Thanks for all of the good wishes. So far mom's london trip has included a trip to the pub and a takeaway. . . which is rather apropos methinks. . .
2:00 PM
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