Thursday 22nd March

We had a great night sleep: Note to self, if we come again, check matress, get it changed on the first day if it feels like a brick and bring your own pillow!!

We couldn't go in the sea today even though it's been the hottest day so far. Had to be out of the room by 12 midday and outside reception by 13:30. We went for one last walk along the promanade and laughed about 'running the gauntlet'. Everynight, as you walk along the road all the Egyptian waiters pop out like something out of Mr Ben (and the shopkeeper appeared from nowhere) and tried to get you to eat at their restaurant, you could be asked by at least 4 or 5 times in the space of a minute. You just have to ignore them or say no thank you but it is like running the gauntlet.

We were at the airport by 2pm to catch a 5pm flight but the plane was delayed so we didn't fly home until 18:30. Very turbulant on the way home and I really don't like it. I'm not scared I just hate that feeling in your stomach. The cabin crew were, how shall I say, useless. They couldn't get the safety video to run so they tried doing it the old fashion way by standing there miming. They couldn't do that for laughing which wasn't very professional. It went down hill from there, oh well chalk it up to experience. Landed at Gatwick and spent an hour waiting for the luggage which made us very late. Taken back to Portsmouth by 'Airport Taxis', we had missed the last catarmeran so we were dropped off at the car ferry. Managed to catch the half past midnight boat and Matt picked us up at Fishbourne in the Serena. They all came, Matt, Gem, Lisa & Liam armed with blankets as they thought we'd be cold (how gorgeous are these kids)!!! We got home and made a drink. Found everyones presents and opened my birthday presents and even more cards ... Gemma & Matt ~ Harry Potter Deathly Hallows Book voucher, Lisa & Liam ~ You've Got Mail DVD, Andrew ~ OMG, a 250 GB External Hard Drive, yey!!! What a birthday!!! We went to bed at 3:30 am and slept like a good'un.

GM-FAYROUZ-VIL@hilton.com