Thursday 3 January - Orlando to Monticello

Breakfast at Homewood and a challenge to the room account - the rate had been increased by $9 a night from the original internet booking so had to get the Manager to sort that out which was done by the time we checked out around 9.30am. Alison and Philip thought they had worked out the route on Google Maps so headed off with Alison driving and Chuck the GPS on. He would not have a bar of the route that Alison and Philip had planned so eventually he was allowed to take control and we retraced a few kilometres and were on to the well used I-4.

Managed to keep on track to his liking from there on and pulled into four toll plazas to pay cash tolls as the EzyPass toll token that we hired with the car does not work on Florida toll roads. The weather was overcast, at times foggy, at times rainy for the journey but all went well with just one stop at a well-maintained and clean rest area for a comfort stop and we were back in Monticello for a late lunch at Pizza Hut.

Back to John Denham House B & B and a welcome from the owner Pat and we are settled in and have enjoyed an afternoon nanna nap. Philip is now over his head cold but suffering from sinus problems. He probably needs to be taken out and shot. Alison says that this is not an option yet, as we are not home.

Not sure if the ongoing saga with Virgin has been mentioned earlier in the blog but we had been trying to get information from the airline since 9 December about whether we could pay for an upgrade to Premium Economy for the return journey to Australia. Philip ended up emailing the Virgin Executive team and finally received a definitive answer from the Manager of the Velocity Team last week. The answer "no way" due to the fact that we had used points to book the original flight and we hope that you enjoy your trip!!!! Well at least an answer did arrive and an apology that we had not been contacted by the Velocity Team. On checking emails this morning a Velocity team member had finally responded - different answer this time, still no way but the reason being that there were no available seats. To top off the matter there was also a comment that they had attempted to make contact six times to our home and mobile phone in Australia and maybe our contact details needed to be updated. The fact that all Philip's contacts and questions regarding the matter had clearly stated that we were travelling and home contact was not possible and that email should be used seemed to have escaped their attention! Another email was then sent to the Velocity Manager and elicited a short response about improvements being made and a wish for us to have a good flight back. Now we are certainly aware of how unimportant the general traveller is inspite of all the hype that airlines (especially Virgin) make about the customer experience. It would be so nice if when we checked in at LA for the big leg we were told we had been upgraded! do miracles happen? Alison hopes so.

The weather today has changed as mentioned but yesterday being 80 in Orlando makes today feel very cool. Hopefully the weather as the journey across to New Orleans is made will see warmer days before our homeward journey is made.