Day 2 London to Cape Town via Jo'burg

We were a little scared in London. Barb elected for a wheel chair: the one picking us up from the Admiral's lounge was 20 minutes late and then the next person at the drop off never appearer. We got to the plane at the close of boarding.

The flight was long and cramped but we did ok.

We got to Johannesburg at 6:30 am but had to wait for a 10 am flight. I gave Phil his father's Day card.

We were greeted at the Cape Town airport by our driver who took us to the hotel.

After showers, (and discovering that I don't have a South Africa adapter--it's different from the 7 I have), we went to the aquarium near our hotel at the V&A waterfront and then to dinner at the Victoria wharf shopping center.

The Big Trip -- Leg one Austin-Dallas-London

I began the day calling Spain about my hotel reservations, fighting with my scanner to copy travel documents, being very lucky in getting a Khaki sports jacket for Phil at Goodwill and a free replacement surgical shoe for me at Dr. Pietzsch.

We drove to Suze's work. Since it was Friday the 13th of course there was a wreck on Mopac, we missed the get off for Bee Caves Rd since the sign said Rollingwood and the plane from Dallas was delayed two hours. We even had a delay after we got on the plane because there was a discrepancy in the fuel amounts.

At least waiting in the Admiral's club lounge was pleasant (Except T-mobile was down, so no internet, and the wired access for Phil didn't let him see his beloved Red Sox.)

A wheel chair greeted me in Heathrow since I am really trying to avoid having a cast on my foot when I get home. We went to the very nice Admirals Club to wait. Lounge chairs that you can really sleep in and internet and quiet! Free beverages including alcohol (of which we had none). I played with my international phone. And Gwyneth mine doesn't work in Japan either.)

Springtime in Texas

Springtime at the cabin

Snow at the Cabin

We were very excited to see snow on New Year's night. It still was on the ground in the morning.

Tuba Christmas

I checked with my old journals. December 21, 1975 was out first Tuba Christmas in Rockefeller Center, only I called it a Tuba Concert. Didn't really get the significance!

A family fun-filled Thanksgiving with a Blue Ridge, Georgia, Tuba Christmas


was followed by a quieter weekend with Phil and I going to the Christmas Stroll Parade and Tuba Christmas in Georgetown.

Barb in Washington State

Barb flew out Sunday morning, aided by the time change, to Seattle in preparation for a NCWIT meeting. There were a great views of Mt. Rainier and of Seattle from the plane.


She spent Sunday night with the Tripps. Here is Ruth with Ella in front of Becca's house.
Later Becca brought the children over to Ruth's for dinner. Ruth and Owen played sticker book and trains.