29th November 2024

We had breakfast in the buffet at 7 am, as we were scheduled to assemble in the Meridian Restaurant at 8 am, ready for disembarkation. Reassuringly, our suitcases, which we’d dutifully left outside the cabin the night before, had vanished overnight, as planned. Always a good sign. As part of the first group to leave the ship, we disembarked promptly and were soon aboard the coach for the hour-long transfer to the airport, taking one last lingering look at the Canarian landscape, basking under clear skies and heading for a toasty 29°C.

Security and immigration were mercifully swift, and we soon found ourselves waiting at Gate 40 for our Jet2 flight to Birmingham.

Sue and I managed to sleep through most of the four-hour flight. Once on the ground, we breezed through passport control and joined the crowd around the luggage carousel, watching intently as bags tumbled onto the belt. Thankfully, ours were among them, top marks to P&O for a well-oiled operation! Outside, the brisk 4°C and creeping darkness reminded us that we were very much back in Britain. The rush-hour traffic didn’t disappoint either. At home, with the central heating and wood burner both going full pelt, we revived ourselves with pizza, a spot of telly, and an early night. Lights out by 9 pm.

The next day, Sarah popped in as part of her Christmas gift drop-off tour. Charlotte’s house, this year’s official Palmer family Christmas HQ, was her main destination. While Lee held the fort and wrangled the children, Sarah packed the car with festive loot, ready for Santa’s big day delivery.

The following days were grey and chilly as Sue and I set about readying the house and garden to fend for themselves while we disappeared off to the Caribbean. Our packing and pruning were briefly interrupted by a message from Jamie, confirming the dates of a trip to Dubai, where he’ll be collecting an international award on behalf of his company, FxLearning. Sue and I had hoped to tag along, but a clash with an important hospital appointment meant Sue couldn’t make it, so I’ll be heading out with Jamie on 7th January instead. We’re cutting it fine: our return flight from Florida lands just days before Sue and I are due to embark on a cruise from Southampton to Europe. Fingers crossed the travel gods are kind.

On the afternoon of 5th December, Sue and I made our way to the Sheraton Hotel next to Heathrow Airport, ready for the flight to Miami the following morning and the start of our Caribbean adventure. The weather forecast for the journey was grim, but we got lucky; the rain held off until the evening. Unfortunately, it caught up with us just as we dashed to McDonald’s for a quick bite, leaving us soaked to the skin. In hindsight, we probably should’ve stayed dry and splashed out in the hotel restaurant instead.