Saturday, September 4, 2010

A double take.





Back from a sunny London . 23 degrees and no humidity. Perfect weather. From the number of American tourists around it was clear that the news has got out that May and September are the best months to visit.

On the flight home thirty or so seven year old boys scurry onto the plane at the last minute. A school group en route to language weekends with unsuspecting French families. Three very harassed looking teachers in accompaniment. I heard one stewardess say to the other as they filed to the back of the plane " Oh, aren't they sweet!". Hmmm, I thought , naivete personified. Give it ten minutes and you'll be looking for the valium and toying with the idea of throwing them out of the door at the back. As predicted , within a minute of the seat belt sign being switched off pandemonium broke loose. Having got bored with clambering over the seats and playing cricket in the aisles a stream of young hopefuls were soon marching to the front of the cabin asking the nonplussed crew for a beer. 'But we drink it at home!'. Some rites of passage never change. As the little charmers careered up and down the aisle I knew that come the end of the weekend there would be another thirty or so host French families that were of the opinion that the English come from another,incomprehensible, universe.

Wilf is in fine form. Last night he was waiting patiently at the airport for my arrival. The new terminal at Toulouse has frosted glass sliding doors that glide backwards and forwards with an alluring 'whoosh', followed by a long, deeply satisfying 'shhhhh' as they close. Our family fellow was so engrossed in these sights and sounds that he was completely oblivious to me standing above him. When he looked up to see who was tickling his head he did a double take and then rolled on his back in delight. A great welcome home.

11 comments:

  1. Children should be in crates in the hold!

    Several years ago friends who were on a long haul flight took pity on two unaccompanied children, entertaining them, helping with meals, toilet, etc. When they landed, the refreshed parents came out of First Class to collect them.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

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  2. Mom can't stand unruly kids on her flights! They interrupt her book reading time and it never fails that one of them is sitting behind her and kicking the back of her seat! grrrrrrrrrr

    Love ya lots,
    Maggie and Mitch

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  3. You need a greeting like that, after sharing a flight with thirty young school boys...
    Who would be without an ever welcoming dog!
    Cheers, Gail.

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  4. It is sometimes difficult to be on a plane with one child nearby, I can't even imagine having thirty of them on the same flight.
    Wilf's greeting at the airport was probably enough to allow you to forget about your experience, a glass of wine after you arrived home would have helped as well...

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  5. Wilf's greeting reminds me of my husband's recent return home from out of town. Edward usually hears the car pull into the drive and it waiting at the door. But this time, he was caught unawares and his returning master simply strolled into the house with no fanfare. Edward, now a mass of wags, looked slightly abashed.

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  6. Wow! I'm really glad I wasn't on that plane! At least you are old enough to drink the beer!

    I can just picture Wilf's sweet little face when you surprised him! That's my smile for the day!

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  7. Sure Wilf had you forgeting all about those short ill behaved humans - they all need leashes and a time out......

    XXoooXXoooxx

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  8. I know Wilf must miss his brother terribly but he always looks like such a happy dog!

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  9. The *perfect* welcome home, especially after a flight like that one!

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  10. Wonderful greeting by Wilf! And I remember those cross-Atlantic flights as a girl with "camp" or "language" classmates - we were as bad or worse than the boys hah! It's been too long since we visited - thanks for coming over to see us!
    Hugs xoxoxo
    Sammie, Avalon and Miche

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  11. I just went downstairs and apologized to Miss Betty and our Sophie for telling then to be quiet on our late arrival home this evening. They were running in circles and barking while we tried to fight our way into the house. I received a blank gaze from both. They are so forgiving.

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