Sunday 28th December

DISNEYLAND WAS FAB!!!!! After a quiet few days at home, and me going to work for 2 of them, we set off to Disneyland Paris for Sarahs 'Starlight Childrens Charity' wish. The train was at 9.13am from Ashford International in Kent, and after a nights stop at my brothers in Meopham, we got up early to check in by 8am. Much excitement, and a tricky climb on to the train up 3 steps over a huge gap later, we were on our way.We arrived at 12.13pm, exactly to time, and dropped our bags off at the Disney Express luggage drop (they would take our bags to our hotel for us, so we could go straight into the park). We got a disabled pass from City Hall which meant we could jump the majority of the queues and I have to say it saved us hours - IT WAS PACKED!!!! We walked up main street and the sight that greeted us would have brought a lump to the throat of the most hardened of people - a giant Xmas tree was in the middle of the square complete with presents under it, and SNOW!!! It was even snowing when we walked along the road (piped in, I know, as there wasn't a cloud in the sky, but lovely all the same!!)The castle at the end was covered in twinkling lights, and I have to say I gulped back a tear or two for a moment - so lovely to be on holiday again after the year from hell, and at this magical time of year, it was extra special.
All the months of worry melted away for 3 wonderful days, and although it was almost as cold as Santa's home at the north pole, we had a great time. Christmas Eve dinner was booked up for us at Mickey's Christmas Cruise Dinner, and we saw all the characters whilst we ate. Christmas morning breakfast was a character breakfast, so autograph books were at the ready. We had lunch at Planet Hollywood, and dinner at Annette's Diner, with waitresses on roller skates. Katie and I went on the scary rides - Rock'n'Roller Coaster, Hollywood Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - Dave and Sarah came on Buzz Lightyear, Big Thunder Mountain Railway, Aladdin's Flying Carpets, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, It's a Small World, Star Tours and Haunted Mansion. Straight to the front, and a few hairy moments getting Sarah on and off the rides - a few tantrums, and a few giggles, but it was great. Only thing spoiling it were the French!!! B"""dy French - so ignorant - see a wheelchair and stop in front of it - don't move, apologise, or get out of the way - queue for the loo - HA!!! Jump in and ignore everyone else waiting in line. By day three, I'd had enough quite frankly, and wanted to just ram the wheelchair into their ankles!!! Even the staff on the rides weren't happy in their work - wouldn't happen in America - fixed grins reign supreme over there, and nothing is too much trouble.In France, it seems, that Christmas spirit is wearing a bit thin!!
Anyway, we made the best of it, and even managed a swim on Xmas day in the hotel pool. The Fantillusion electric parade on Christmas night was a great way to end the day, and the journey home was fine, and speedy. We do feel a bit cheated out of a Christmas rest, and are still absolutely shattered, but Sarah had a good time, and as it was her wish, we must respect that!!! But next year we are staying home.
Physio went by the way side, and Sarahs foot and leg swelled quite badly on the way home, but she has been moving it a bit more since we got home and it has gone down. She is back to the 'I can't stand on it' mode again now though, and refuses to put any weight on it, even when I nag.She has promised me she will try tomorrow - fear is still in the equation, although she refuses to admit it. Lets hope Piia, our local physio, can work her magic, or 2009 will be as long as 2008 has been, but for different reasons!!!