Glitter and Sparkle

Well my day started early, I left home just as the plane from Doha landed at 5.45am and got to the airport around 6. I sat in the car in the free drop off area for just under the permitted 30 mins in the dark, wet and blowy weather. The rain was bouncing off the ground, I was glad I'd brought a cup of coffee with me while I waited. My 30 mins of free time was up and I'd just left the car park when a text came in from Ali to say she didn't know how long they'd be....., only to be followed about 3 minutes later by another saying they were in the paid pickup and drop off area. I drove round and there they were. Josie yelled "Grandma!" and threw herself into my arms! Both little girls looked happy and fresh as daisies after their 17 hours of flying, their parents a little less so. We put all the luggage and S into my car and Ali set off with the girls and buggy for the airport bus. S and I unloaded the car back at their house and just as we carried the last bag in, Josie came running round the corner. They must have timed the bus really well. They were in their house within an hour of touchdown which was quite remarkable. Not like my last experience of the baggage handlers at the airport.
I left them to it and headed home and back to bed. Not long after I got there, I noticed that Katy was on line so texted to say they were home.
I then decided that as I was up and awake I'd offer her a lift to work so she didn't have to cycle over six miles each way to Little France and then back again, in the dark and the forecast heavy rain and gale force winds. She accepted after only a little persuasion and so I had a quick cup of coffee and picked her up. It was nice to have the chance to chat in the car and the traffic was relatively light. I headed over and brought her home again at the end of her day. She commented that I'd had a good day parenting my grown up children! It was nice to be able to help out and not to have to worry about her cycling in the bad weather. Doctors have no parking at the hospital, so driving is not an option and the bus takes well over an hour which just doesn't fit with family logistics.
I went back to bed for a second time and had a couple of hours of sleep. Ali came over with the girls at around 12.30 and they had some lunch with us. They 'd had a great time, the girls were great on both flights. Josie had slept for the entire second flight taking also before it had even taken off till about 20 minutes before landing. Bonnie for not so long, but a good 5 hour stretch. She had spent the first leg laughing and smiling at everyone and generally entertaining the crew. I'm so glad as two such little ones could have been very challenging. They're coming for lunch again tomorrow and to open some presents.
Colin and I had a relatively quiet day otherwise.
My blip is of a dress in M&S, I think they rather over ordered, there was a rail of about 40 of them. They made me think of all the poor souls who had expected to be at concerts and Street parties tonight. I hoped they managed to get in somewhere, most of the pubs and clubs will have been booked up well in advance. Shame if all those gorgeous sparkly little numbers didn't get to party through the bells! Mind you, I'm not sure I'd be wearing one of those in December in Scotland!
Happy New Year everyone, I hope it's a good one.