After a birthday breakfast for me at home, Sophie and Charlotte caught the bus to school, Shannon drove off to work and Jess came with us to Springwood station where we caught the train to the airport.

After lengthy checking in, immigration and customs procedures we did a bit of duty free shopping and then made our Business Class lounge where we could relax with champagne, juices, spirits, nuts, cheese, muffins etc. What bliss!! When boarding commenced, it was announced in the lounge and we all trouped upstairs and were ushered straight through the waiting economy people in the departure lounge. We were seated upstairs in the little cabin near the pilots and plied with more champagne! Business Class is wonderful!! The found is superb (e.g. smoked trout), served on Noritake china and with Starbucks coffee!! The space and manner of treatment in Business Class is just lovely.

Our arrival at San Francisco and processing through the airport was so smooth and easy - so much better than LAX. We found our shuttle just 1/2 hour after landing, and continued easily on to the Sheraton at Fisherman's Wharf. After settling in we wandered around the wharf and had clam chowder with zinfandel for lunch whilst watching the seals in the marina. We wandered through a grocery shop and discovered Guacamole Doritos and Pizza Pringles!! We had a low-key dinner in our suite - it had been a long, long day!!!