Last Day: Sedona to Phoenix

Today we repacked the car for the last time, with our suitcases nearest the door for a change! 

We drove south towards Phoenix, passing for the last time through the red rocks of Sedona, with a passing glimpse at a church built into the rock and a brief pause to admire the saguaro cactus.

Red rock, Sedona

Saguaro cactus outside Sedona

Church built into the rock

We decided that a coffee break would be in order and Bob pulled off at Red Rock Cafe.  It looked rather suspect from the outside, but inside turned out to be a dieter's nightmare.  Pies, pies, pies!   And what pies.  Some confections saturated in syrup and others piled inches high with whipped cream!   Of course we couldn't resist!  Bob had chocolate cream pie, Peter had sugar-free apple pie and I had mixed berry crumble pie.  Mary had a cookie.    The place was really busy and many people were tucking into hearty lunches at 11.45 in the morning.  

We admired the saloon, with its ancient refrigerator and some of the buildings outside.  

Red Rock Cafe facilities?

Also selling "Whoop Ass Sauce"

Pie anyone?

More pies

Good news! 

The saloon at Red Rock

Ancient refrigerator

So full of pie we set off for the airport.  Bob and Mary had a long drive ahead of them to New Mexico so it was a swift farewell and hugs all round outside the terminal and then we whiled away the time until our flight.   We found wifi - that kept us busy for a while - then a fruitless search for a reasonably priced aftershave for Rupert....sorry son!  Then a very late lunch in an Italian restaurant in the airport which actually had a woodfired oven.  We had very good spaghetti and meatballs! 

Eventually we boarded the plane.  Poor Peter,  the window seat next to him was occupied by a very, very large lady who encroached on his seat space and wriggled all night long.  She must have been so uncomfortable!   She did not leave her seat for the entire 9.5hr flight.  We don't know how she managed!  Best not think about it! 

So Phoenix to Heathrow, collect the hire car and head back to Norwich.  Rupert had kindly put the heating on for us, so it was a cosy homecoming...

Goodbye for now!  See you again in January when we go for the inaugural gala for Peter and the other visiting professors at College Station, Texas.