Perfect Landing!

Rough departure. At 11:30 we were in good shape--everything packed, bed linens being washed; dishwasher loaded, last minute things... I was dressed. Kevin was dressing and began that arduous job of putting on his compression socks and dislocated his resurfaced hip! I heard him calling and hurried to bedroom where I found him flat on the floor, unable to get up.

I know the routine as he has done this twice before.  I called 911 for an ambulance. The ambulance and a fire truck arrived and all the neighbors appeared! The ambulance driver was a really friendly guy and advised us on the quickest fix. He took Kevin to Baptist Hospital ER.

I stayed home and finished up as best I could, calling Sylvie and Laura in case we missed the 4:00 shuttle to Charlotte and needed a later ride. Kevin called about 1:00 and said he was going in for the final X-ray. I was so happy and realized that we were going to make it!

I drove to the hospital and talked with nurse and doctor who said he was fine. Kevin said he felt fine but seemed wobbly and slow on his feet so I called American Airlines and arranged for a wheelchair in the airport.

And that was great! We were able to move quickly through Charlotte airport and later through Heathrow, even through Passport Control!

I had made a mistake in our packing. I had bought an extra suitcase for our summer cruise and forgot and thought that we had taken three big suitcases to Wolfson in 2012. We actually only took 2 (1 giant; 1 big) but my mistake was that we ended up this time with 1 giant and 2 big. I realized it when I saw we had room left over. Oh, well, I thought. I could add more stuff, a couple of books, some more clothes, Kevin's ratty old tennis shoes, etc.
 
But we just had too much!  But, thank goodness, a lot of help!

Our driver was waiting for us at baggage claim. It was a beautiful drive to Cambridge--a bright and sunny day, through the "green and pleasant land."  We saw animals grazing--the horses had on their coats-- and enjoyed the beautiful greens, greys, mauves, browns of the bleak midwinter countryside. I dozed as Kevin and driver kept up a lively conversation. I wish I had taken more photos.

We arrived and had help from favorite porters unloading and briefly settling into B3. This is a temporary flat as the porter on duty for the Holiday Break lives in Morrison House. B3 happens to be my favorite flat. We have lived here on two sabbaticals. We only changed to Morrison House because it is twice as big.

B3 is small but full of sun roofs so there is always light. And the big study window looks out onto Wolfson Quad so we always see who is in and out. And we watch the dramatic cloud movement and see the beautiful Wolfson gardens as they change with the seasons.

We made it in time for the annual New Years Eve luncheon at the Principals Home where there was orange juice and champagne, delicious food, and interesting colleagues to meet.

Afterwards in the early gloaming we walked over to the Darby Store, our neighborhood corner store, and picked up essentials. Then home, a small supper, and to bed.

A perfect landing.