[Belle]

Yesterday was the worst day in a long time. It started off early when we left in plenty of time in the morning to go the the airport. The plan was to have breakfast there like we always do. As we got onto the freeway, we hit a bottle neck and traffic came to a dead stop. They where working on the roads. It took us a 3/4 hour to pass there. Even Henry was stressing that we were not going to make the flight. We got through and the traffic was free flowing. We would make it. Then we got to the Toll Gate. Ten lanes were open. Directly after the toll, they were working on the roads and only 2 lanes were open. Have you ever tried to squeeze 10 into 2 when there are trucks, busses, taxis and cars all wanting to go to the same place at the same time. We made it to the airport with 5 minutes to spare. No time for breakfast. Boarded and managed to get a sandwhich and a cup of coffee after 1pm. Got home safely. Son-in-Law took everything out of the car and we started bringing in the cases. Somehow one stayed behind. It was a case of 'I thought you brought it in.....' So we lost: All my best jewelry, (luckily only costume jewelry but still about $100 worth). My favorite necklace that just goes with everything and quite a few bracelets. 3 advocado pears that we carted all the way from down the Wild Coast. Biiiig butter pears. Hope they were bitter. My whole months supply of prescription medicine. Blood pressure tablets and HRT just renewed the day before we left. Pretty expensive to replace. And dangerous to the person that took it. Hope it was not a child. The GPS (Satnav), a very good one. But worst of all, MY CAMERA. I love my camera. All the wedding, family and holiday photos, all gone. Henry took photos of the farm house where he lived with his Granddad as a child. We went out of our way to go take the photos. Also I bought a lot of rusks and cookies from a speciality store in PMB. All gone. Oh yes, the gift my sister gave me as well. I am really crying about that and my photos and camera. All the other things can be replaced. Well no use crying over spilt milk. I must just move on. It's back to a point and shoot for me for a while. I suppose I should be thankful that my laptop was not in the case. I always put it in there. I carried it myself this time around because the case was too full. I am never going on holiday again.<br><br>My Worst Day should read, My Worst Week. <br>So after the bag going missing, a lady bumped my car. Today my DH got hit by a taxi. The *** driver was waiting in a parking area for a passenger and Henry crossed the road in front of him, The driver then decided to pull away at a speed while keeping his eye on his passenger. He knocked Henry on the knee and spun him around. Praise the Lord, he was not hurt. I will see tomorrow if he is stiff at all. <u>That's me done for the week</u>. The rest of the week has been cancelled due to lack of interest. <img class="bbc_emoticon" alt="" src="http://scrapgirls.net/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/disappearing-smilie.gif"><br>We put a claim in for the case and we are waiting to see how much they will pay out. <br>

[Jo Corne]

Oh Belle, is there no way the airline could track it for you, if you left it at the airport surely someone will take it to lost property or something like that.
I have no idea how things run in SA anymore, haven't been there since '95 but surely if a case is unclaimed it goes to lost property or am I being totally naive in thinking that?
don't give up just yet, there is always hope

hugs to you Belle

[AnnBK]

I'm shedding a few tears with you, Belle. I wouldn't mind losing the jewelry, or the camera. You can always buy a replacement. But those photos...I'm looking for a way to transfer travel photos to a safe place to guard against this kind of thing. Maybe iPad3?

[Smiles]

Belle, this really is hard to take.
You didn't happen to back the photos up on your laptop, did you?
May your guardian angel locate that suitcase for you!!!

[ValerieT]

I'm sending you a big hug.

[Sara Arell]

Oh, Belle! What an awful experience for you! Surely the airline can track your bag? Have you called them yet? Sending you hugs and I do hope you find that bag!

[jode2771]

I read it that you left it in the cab? Maybe they can track it for you? I totally understand cos I had my camera stolen once too and the loss of the photos was far worse than anything else... I suspect you hadn't downloaded yet to your laptop or you wouldn't be this upset... such a shame... I have my fingers crossed you get it back... most stolen things are dumped close by... and perhaps check the lost and found in the paper for a listing - they may just want a reward.... good luck x

[Bride]

Oh Belle, I'm so sorry this happened to you. I pray there is some way someone can track this down for you! I pray some good samaritan will find this bag and turn it in. There are still good, honest people in this world ... praying they are the one to come across your bag!! Hugs, sweetie!

[diannecp]

Oh goodness, Belle, I am feeling for you this morning. Like the others, I hope somehow, miraculously, someone turns it in somewhere. I'd notify every possible place so if it shows up someone has contact info for you. In the meantime, I pray your heavy heart is comforted somehow.

[princessrunningfingers]

Oh, Belle, I hate that you had this happen to you. It's so hard to put something like that behind you, especially the photos, and the camera. I hope something happens and the bag turns up. Saying a little prayer for you.

[Sherry Lynn]

Oh my goodness Belle I cannot even being to imagine how upset you are - I am so sorry this has happened to you AND pray that some way you will get you missing case back. I agree with everyone else - the photos are what would be bothering me the most! Sending comforting hugs your way

[Belle]

Thanks for all the hugs and prayers. We have notified the airport police and the local police. We are trying to see if we can claim from insurance.

[KayMitch]

Oh Belle that is disappointing to say the least. I hope by some stroke of luck all your goodies will find their way back to you. I lost a camera once and it was in the days when I only took one film a year as we couldn't afford to get them printed. I lost all the photos from the childrens birthdays and Christmas for that year. It sure was sad. Here's hoping for a better result for you. Kay

[MariJ]

Oh, Belle - I am so sorry - how awful. One thing after another and I DO understand how bad it feels to lose not only all your things, but your camera and those photos? Gosh, I know that sickening feeling inside.
Keeping my fingers crossed also and sending lots of positive thoughts that your possesions are returned. Not much more there is to say but to send you lots of big hugs and say "I'm so sorry" and feel your pain.
Take care...

[SandiC.]

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear about this Belle. I'd be devastated. Hugs.

[Nica]

Oh, Belle, how awful!

[shellbw]

Oh my! That is a bad day. Losing photos is so hard! I hope that someone can help track the case down or return it.

[CRS]

I am so, so sorry! I can't imagine how hard this must be. Saying a prayer that the case is recovered and you get those photos back!

[teecee]

I'm so sorry Belle! I'll be sending some prayers for you. Hugs!

[Becster]

Oh Belle, I'm so sorry. I'd be devastated. I hope that your things turn up somewhere soon.

[~*Kiana*~]

HUGS!!!!! Hoping a locates your stuff for you!!!

[Cheri T]

Oh no! I'm so sorry sweetie:( I had something very similar happen to me when moving out of the college dorm YEARS ago, and I STILL mourn the loss of whatever was on my camera then (and I can guarantee it was nothing nearly as important as a wedding or heritage-where-I-grew-up photos.) Luckily, though the thief (mine was indeed theft) took off with my camera and calculator, she/he threw out the rest of the box and my dorm actually found it in the trash receptacle and called me during the summer. I pray this happens for you as well!

[LaLo1103]

Oh Belle - I am so sorry to hear your sad news! I have no wise words, but I know how I'd be feeling to loose the photos. I will hope and say a little prayer that the missing case turns up.

[PBarnes]

Hugs for you, Belle. I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope and pray that the suitcase may be recovered.

[podiumchick]

Oh my! How horrible! I cannot imagine how terribly you feel. I do hope the bag somehow shows up for you!

[AmandaFace]

Oh man! Sending you some 'finding that bag' kinda vibes.

[Ro]

Oh dear... Belle... what a HARD thing for you. I can totally see how losing that camera and the photos was the worst. But the whole of it made it quite a difficult day for you. I'm so sorry that you had such a rough time of it.

[Smoky]

Oh, I'm just a ball of nerves from reading this! What a nightmare! I hope your bag makes its way back to you with everything intact. Good luck!

[mbc72]

Oh no, Belle, how awful. Sorry to hear this.

[BarbaraC1977]

So sorry to hear this; I hope some of your things are recovered soon.