In September 2018 we went on a 4 week holiday to the States. We'd not really been to the USA before, except to Salt Lake City on business, and our friend Connie in Philadelphia had invited us to stay a few days with her. Not really sensible to go to the States for just a few days, so we extended the trip. New York, Niagara Falls (Canada), Philadelphia (a week with Connie), Washington DC, Boston and Jackson in the White Mountains of New Hampshire to see 'the fall'. In summary we had a great time and all went well - well almost.

The travel agents 'Flight Centre' had created our itinerary from our particular requirements, including all flights, hotels, train, car rental and some transfers. It all fitted in well and ran like clockwork.

We stayed overnight at a hotel by Manchester Airport, and early on 26th Sept flew to Heathrow, and transferred to an American Airlines flight to New York. All well until when high over Ireland just as we were heading out over the Atlantic the captain said we had an engine problem and we were turning around to make an emergency landing at Dublin. "Don't worry but we will be followed in as we land by emergency services" he said. All was calm although a little tense! We landed smoothly, indeed followed by fire, police and ambulances with flashing blue lights, pic above shows our escort. Then taxied to a holding area for an inspection before going on to the terminal where we got off. In fact after landing we learned from the captain who came around to talk to passengers that the left engine had indicated a fire and had been shut down, but it turned out to be a false alarm. So we landed on just one engine. However, after a 'heavy landing' (the Boeing 777 was full of fuel) and having had the false engine alarm, the plane was taken out of service and we awaited in Dublin Airport for news about our onward journey. Took 10 hours to get another plane and crew! An uncomfortable wait but the delay will mean we get some money back in compensation.

We arrived in New York JFK after 1am, but JFK normally closes at midnight. Just us, some immigration staff who stayed on for our arrival (who were reasonably friendly), and cleaners! We had to call for our taxi transfer and wait for that, and eventually arrived at our Riu Plaza Times Square hotel at 4am. We were here at last! Short sleep before breakfast!