An Unexpected Journey -- Norway???

Our travel adventure started off as planned... We all met at the airport, checked our bags (little did we know how long it would be before we were reunited with our material possessions -- still not reunited in fact), and made it quickly through security.

Our first surprise -- my former colleague Aaron and his family (who all live in Norway) were on our flight to Iceland!  I haven't seen any of them in several years so it was a nice surprise.

Unfortunately, it was a dark and stormy night in Minneapolis which led to a 2.5 hour delay, much of which we spent on the runway in Minneapolis waiting out the storm.  Finally, we took off and we were ready for adventure!

We got to Iceland hopeful our plane was still there (the internets told us that our outgoing flight was also delayed).  Alas, it was not to be.  Our gate was empty as we ran toward it.

Icelandair was so helpful -- they found us a way to get to London without staying over.  They booked us on a connecting flight through Oslo.  YAY we thought -- we get to be in Norway, albeit briefly (many of the people on our flight were bumped to the next day).  We just needed to get our bags and recheck them.

We went to the baggage claim which was swarming with people -- in short, it was a zoo!  Still keen on this adventure we were having, we all watched eagerly for our bags...

Fast forward 2 hours and it was not to be.  The baggage desk told us to go ahead and get on our flight and check with the baggage desk when we arrived in London.

Nothing like a little snack during a harrowing day of travel (the wine and crackers were mine, the smoothy and sandwich were the kids'):

Our Oslo flight was a little late, but nothing to worry about.  Or so we thought.

We had a very tight connection and it turns out you have to go through a new security line and passport control in Norway.  We SPRINTED through the airport after security to passport control.  It was sort of what you might expect from a heartwarming family movie from the late 80s or early 90s.  Except we were sweaty and tired and NONE of our hair was in place. 

The passport line was long and not moving.  Then, our party of seven (including four children) was spotted by a helpful employee of the Oslo airport who took pity on us.  She knew our story and she knew the Heathrow flight was leaving momentarily.  She found a passport control agent who opened a side desk just for us, called and had the plane held, and swept us through... more running... and we made it!

Our bags did not.  At Heathrow, it took about an hour to secure the location of our bags and assurance that they would arrive some time soon (hopefully).

Then we headed to the Heathrow Express...

The train operator apologized several times for how slow we were going (apparently we were rerouted to a slow track).  FINALLY, we made it to our flat where Clive checked us in and we made some quick dinner (eggs, pita, chicken, hummus, fruit -- all items we picked up at the M&S grocery at King's Cross).  Then... at long last... bedtime around 11:30pm.  Over 20 hours of travel and we are HERE.

It was a long day, an unexpected journey (hello Norway!), but there were plenty of smiles and laughs and we are all ready for more.  Hoping for our bags soon -- delivery expected tonight!