Our last day in the USA. Only one last thing we need to do – shop. Although we had purchased the odd gift for family and friends on our travels (Grand Canyon, Yosemite, San Jose) we hadn’t really present shopped properly. Not to worry: Gilroy had a very large factory outlet shopping district, and Erik kindly took us there. The place was huge. It comprised six or more shopping complexes full of brand name shops. We went wild and purchased all sorts of presents for the children (watches and clothing for Alexander & Julian; clothing and clothing and clothing for Hannah). We were finished and back home for lunch!!
Packing – the highlight of any trip NOT. A necessary evil trying to pack four suitcases worth into two. I had purchased way too many books (but they are so cheap in the US that I really saved hundreds of dollars) and so Disa selflessly sacrificed her summer clothing to be shipped home separately (what a gal).
TS took us (Disa, Scott, Erik, Mary & Maria) to the airport where we checked in then waited for our flight. After a horrible coffee (had to cadge 50 cents off Erik as we miscalculated the tax) and a slightly tearful farewell we boarded the flight and were off.