Sunday, 21st August was with us all too soon and after 64 days in Europe it was time to head home to Colombo.  We were ready to go in good time having packed the day before, helped by Mum and Dad taking the grandchildren out for lunch and much of the afternoon so we could crack on. 

Six items of hold luggage had been packed, one including Deefer after I managed to squeeze him in to a new refuse sack which then slide nicely in to a large box.  We’re not sure what this passenger thought of their class of travel but it was the only way that Misa was going to surprise his girlfriend, Thilini with it!

I’d initially thought there was scant chance of taking it but we were going to be inside our 140Kg baggage allowance so I had a go.  By good fortune I managed to juggle the relative weights to pair Deefer’s box at 16Kg with a suitcase at just under 30Kg, not only using most of my personal allowance of 30+20Kg but exactly on the 300cm height, width and breadth dimensions total allowed per person.    

On-the-day packing complete with items like cheese, ham and sausages from the fridge, our driver was with us bang on time.  Farewells were said, tight hugs were held, and we were on our way with the bittersweet feeling of happiness and excitement to be homewards bound to where we have put down roots and collectively and individually forged our own lives, but sad to be leaving seeing what was written behind eyes and knowing that Mum and Dad need our help and wish to share time with us as us with them, more than ever. 

We had already explained to Mum and Dad that this will be our fourth and final year in Sri Lanka and that if circumstances permit, the children will take their IGCSE exams in May without change of school and we will relocate back to the UK in early June.  This will give good time to settle in to our UK house before A level studies commence in September but we are under no illusion that leaving Sri Lanka will itself be emotional; it is truly a privilege to call this country home, with so much opportunity and friends like family for us all, and professional interest in harmony with skilled and committed individuals for Rennie and myself.  Much can happen between now and then, so time will tell which way the road goes.

After enjoying lounge facilities it was time to board – but we then sat and waited before pushback a good 40 minutes late.  Not so good when Doha transit was only 55 minutes even if on time and sure enough we ended up with a run for our connecting flight, thankfully from the same airport wing and with the flight held back given a fair number of connecting passengers.

Of course our baggage didn’t make the connection, but more of this in the next post. For us, it was simply good to be home – once more feeling both that we had been away forever, yet not at all.

Steve