Today we were meant to fly to Miami and then catch an overnight flight to London. The flight connection was 1 hr 50 minutes and it didn't help that the plane took off late because a passenger was complaining that his seat was wet.

Once at Miami we had to wait until a Gate became free. With about 45 minutes to go before our flight left, we knew things would be tight but...

Unlike other countries where one doesn't have to clear immigration if you are just in transit. In the US you have to clear immigration, pick up your bags, clear customs and then check your bags on to the next flight before clearing security and immigration again.

Initially we had to clear some photographic based computer screening that wasn't working and therefore a lot (most) of the people had to queue to be done by a real person. Joan's clearance worked but a Kevin's hadn't she had to queue with him. There were very few officials and the queues were big and fractious. The officer at the head of our queue disappeared without explanation leaving people to grow restless as they could see other queues going down. When someone complained, a guard said; "Do you want me to bring the lady with the gun to speak to you?" It all seemed a bit brutalist and chaotic.

There was talk of us and other delayed passengers catching a later flight to London, but by the time we had cleared customs, that flight had already gone. So we all went down to the American Airlines check in desk where a handful of staff dealt with the stranded passengers. It took two hours to get to the front of the queue and the poor staff were very friendly and efficient. Transport to a hotel was arranged, with vouchers for two dinners, breakfast and lunch. We were booked on to the same flight but the next day.

Tired, dehydrated and hungry, the bus service to the hotels was somewhat unregulated but we got there. The hotel restaurant had closed for the night. There was a small mini-market selling Pot Noodles and meat-based microwaveable meals but nothing veggie. And NO WINE!!!!!

We had no dollars and also had no idea where we were in relation to anything. The receptionist said there was an ATM a coupe of blocks away. We took out some money and went for a wander. We found a Latin American Café that had a very loud singer (especially if you sat next to the speaker) and it seemed to be a birthday party. We were glad of some fresh food and joined in the festivities. It was lovely to still be able to speak Spanish!! Around 1.30 we finally collapsed in to bed.