Day 21: In which we arrive home

 Four in the morning is an ungodly hour.  Yet, that is the hour we had to be awake to get ready for our flight.  Up at 4.  Down for breakfast by 5.  Meet the OCS attendants at 5:45.  Be at the airport as quickly as OCS attendants can walk, which, for the record, is pretty darn fast.

I cannot say enough about OCS.  The attendants are polite and cheerful, even at 5:45 in the morning.  They are constantly checking in, seeing if we wanted to stop at cafes before checking in our luggage, and pointing out cafes, washrooms, and bar near our gate once through security.  Considering our later experience at Pearson, I've said it before and will say it again, Glasgow Airport can give lessons to Pearson in customer service.

With the help of OCS, we were through luggage check in, security, and at our gate by 6:30.  It gave us plenty of time for coffee, tea, and a comfort break before boarding.  

As we need special assistance, we get on first, and as we make Laura carry all our hand luggage, getting on first is rather handy.  Being in the first row is equally handy.

By some miracle, we took off exactly on time and then we had an uneventful flight.  When one is flying, one wants an uneventful flight.  A second miracle occurred and we landed 20 minutes early. As Laura had done our customs declaration while waiting for the flight to unload (as we need special assistance, we're the last ones off) customs was a breeze.  Denise has a history of customs being a problem, for reasons we've never understood, so the speed through customs was the third miracle for the day.  With so many miracles, we should qualify for sainthood.

What was not a breeze was the lack of attendants.  We had one for the two of us, and while he handled both chairs with aplomb and considerable speed, it highlighted the difference in service between Glasgow and Pearson.  

Our driver for our ride service home had kept up with the flight and thus knew it was early, so there he was waiting for us.  Just like our driver down to the airport, this one was affable and told terrible jokes.  As our family has an appreciation for terrible jokes and puns, it was an amusing ride.

I came home and promptly flooped.

The ladies headed off for the most important part of the day: picking up our dog.  

Thora literally jumped on Laura upon seeing her and we've been told our dog is a wonderful house guest welcome back any time.  Apparently, she also slept on the carer's bed, which we're sure Thora enjoyed.  She has a great appreciation for human beds.  Thora also became fast friends with her carer's dog.  She's friendly like that.

Thora and I were reunited once the ladies said hello to a half dozen neighbours on the way back.  We learned important dog information that a new dog will soon be joining our neighbourhood.

 As we've been up since 11pm Canadian time, we're off to bed early.  I'd love to say something greatly philosophical or meaningful about our trip, but there are no words for how spectacular everything and everyone was in Scotland.  I can only hope I'll be there again sooner rather than later.