After a yummy brekkie with decent coffee (finally) we checked out and piled the car high with luggage and set out to see some more of San Francisco. Heading out to the bay we picked up signs for a 49 mile scenic drive. First stop gave us a wonderful view of the Golden Gate Bridge from the marina, and also Alcatraz just off to the right. We followed the signs and wound our way up the hill (to another great bridge vista point) and then around to the beach road. Next we passed through a park and part of the zoo (couldn't see any animals though). We got a bit lost at the naval college - it appeared some likkle scamp had pinched some of the signs........... So we made about 20 miles of the 49 it promised.

Time was against us, so we headed back over to the interstate to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge. Another glorious vista point met us on the other side, but we couldn't hang about. Nipping back over the bridge we paid the toll and hit the interstate. We were airport bound. The sun was shining, the traffic was moving - it was all good.

We dropped Eddie home (they make that process far more complicated than it needs to be) and headed up to the airtrain that would take us back to the terminal.

We were soon checked in and mooching around the lousy shops of the departure lounge. They seemed to put off boarding for ever, but we got to watch all the likkle airport people loading the plane with food and bags and water and fuel. That's always nice to see.

Soon we were herded onto the plane. And then it was just a 10 or 15 minute wait for the not-very-bright-people who stand in the aisle unpacking their hand luggage, apparently blind to the couple of hundred people waiting to get past them. Grrrrrrr.

Finally we settled into our seats - I got the window, which on a night flight is not all that exciting. But they were playing Oceans Thirteen, which I'd wanted to see. Within minutes of it finishing I was on my way to dreamland. Shame the other passengers were so flipping noisy. I gave up the fight after a few hours and instead watched out of the window as we passed over Ireland on a lovely bright morning. Is there anything fluffier than clouds?

Soon we were over South Wales, then following the M4 past Cardiff. Got a glorious view of both Severn Bridges. Planes are quick, so within an hour we were banking around Canary Wharf and then following the Thames back to Heathrow. Got a rather lovely view of the flat as we whizzed past too.

All too soon we were landing at Heathrow, and making our way through immigration and the baggage hall. We were out in record time and we met the taxi driver who was gonna take us back to Mildred. At this point Grumpy confessed that he hadn't slept at all on the flight. So we agreed I would drive.

The plan was short lived. The traffic was appalling, and I was flagging as we sat on the M4 going no-where quickly. So we swapped drivers at the services, and Grumpy took over, heading off the motorway and onto the A roads that run alongside. An hour later he woke me to check the map. He looked dreadful so I made him pull over and switch with me again.

We stayed off the motorway until we'd crossed the 2nd Severn Bridge and passed through Newport - I don't think I'd have managed the journey had we stuck to the motorway. We arrived home 8 hours after landing.

But with a party to cater the following evening, it was straight out with the Nigella and on with the cake making :D

Chocolate fudge cake is a great antidote to exhaustion!!! ;)