We arrived home at just after 12 GMT today.
I'm gutted because the shuttle launched while we were on the tarmac at Orlando airport, just a minute or two before we took off.
We had been assigned seats in the centre section of the aircraft, despite trying to get window seats, and the captain said that if we looked out of the windows on the right of the aircraft we'd see the shuttle launch. We were taxiing at the time and despite desperately attempting to see out of the windows from our seats we could only see the orange glow from the Solid Rocket Boosters, not the actual rocket exhaust - while others got a clear view.
It was the last ever shuttle night launch, but there will be more shuttle flights until 2010 so I guess I'll have to go back again ;-)
The 7 3/4 hour flight back was quite bumpy most of the way and, being in cattle class, it was as much fun as eating sawdust.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Ho Ho Ho
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Endeavour (Decisions, decisions)
It's hard to see the shuttle in this picture taken with the iPhone - but it is there.
On the way back to Orlando we stopped off at the Virgin desk at the airport to see if we could change our flights to Saturday - so we could the shuttle launch tomorrow night.
Unfortunately, there's only one seat available so I'm faced with the option of letting Sal go home without me. As there is only a 70% chance of the weather being ok for the launch - and the extra cost and reorganization of everything - I've decided (for now) to stick to our original plan (although... It is the last ever shuttle night launch... Mmm)
Back to the Cape
On out last full day in Florida we went back to Kennedy Space Center to see space shuttle Endeavour on the pad.
We took the tour and got a pretty good view of the shuttle on Pad 39A before moving on to see the Saturn V exhibit and then the ISS Processing Facility - where we saw components of the International Space Station being assembled.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tower of Terror
Magic Kingdom
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
End of the Day at Epcot
Monday, November 10, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Florida Grand Tour
After breakfast in Naples we drove the 4 blocks down to the beach. We took a walk along white sand that was like talcum powder and had a paddle in the Gulf of Mexico.
Naples is one of those places that's almost 'too' perfect - probably why Steven Spielburg has a home there.
From Naples we drove north to Fort Myers beach stopping at some lovely places on the way - including a 'dog beach' (dogs aren't allowed ok most beaches here).
Ft Myers Beach is a much more typical seaside resort with lovely beaches - but not much else.
As we wanted to get to Orlando by 6:00 we then picked up the pace a bit and took the interstate past Sarasota and on another 120 miles or so until we reached our destination - the Hilton Grand Vacations Club on International Drive.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Breakfast in Naples
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Sunny Beach
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Happy Anniversary
This post is just to wish a Happy Anniversary to Age and Tracey. With all the excitement of being on holiday I forgot to do it yesterday (sorry).
It doesn't seem like a year ago we were in Australia.
Love Ian and Sally xx
It doesn't seem like a year ago we were in Australia.
Love Ian and Sally xx
It's great here...
Well, He Can't Be Worse...
Another Sunny Florida Day
The sun took a few hours to come through today so we took advantage of a free lunch and $100 Visa card by attending a presentation at our resort. After politely saying no we went for a walk in a Florida Park a very short wall from our apartment. Sally was paralysed with fear when a snake crossed the road just in front of us, but she recovered her composure and we had a lovely walk in the sun along the waterside.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
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