The Tired and Weary - But now in England

Let's just say, the next time that flight arrangements are made, ensure that all names in legal documents MATCH prior to booking or make sure that you bring 4 different forms of identification. Yes, we had passport and green card challenges yesterday. Unbeknownst to us - mom's passport has her last name misspelled with (2) T's in Mathews. That was the minor issue - would have easily been corrected while doing the e-check in. Her greencard is still in her maiden name, because our wonderful immigration group continues to send it even though she applies in her married name. So after waiting 40 minutes for the rest of them to be able to get their boarding pass while one of the only 2 American Airlines staff attendants finally got around to assisting us - while people were balking that their 2 extra bags meant they had a $300 baggage charge. So we make it through the gate, land in Chicago, take time to walk around duty free, get back on the same plane we just came in on - only to be told it has hydraulic landing problems??? What??!!?? I literally just landed an hour ago, did it have the problem all the way from San Francisco? Ok, so we wait - and wait. Then we go to board, and again, Passport, Drivers License and Greencard do not match nor does two of the three match the boarding pass. So it was a good thing mom brought her birth certificate as well, as she had to show a second legal document to prove that she was a Hezelgrave at one time. *sigh*

So now we get to Manchester 8 hours after leaving Chicago 2 hours late. Oh and did I mention we left Lincoln at 345am - so now we're about 24 hours into this and just landed - only to find the car is screwed up. I booked a mini-van that was supposed to carry 7 people and minimum 4 full size suitcases. That was someone's cockup!! We got a minivan which could hold 6 and one bag only. So another 2 hours changing mini vans, waiting for it to come from the main garage, we hit the road.

Backing up into Kirsty's driveway in this minivan has been a challenge, but one that I'm mastering FAST while the traffic reems me up my rear trying to get passed me. Pictures to follow soon to see the harrowing option I have while driving on the WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD!!

Tomorrow - on to Howarth and or Kirkstall Abbey - stay tuned!