Long haul

Up and out early today to take Son2 to Heathrow for his epic journey to La Reunion in the Indian Ocean via Paris and Mauritius for his year abroad under the wonderful (but currently threatened) Erasmus scheme.

It wasn't without incident, due to the check-in person being convinced that he needed a visa when he'd been told that students don't. After involving her supervisor and her supervisor's supervisor, as well as the other person from Son2's university who was travelling to the same destination, the situation was resolved and he was finally able to check-in. Fortunately, we'd arrived in plenty of time; the only issue was Mr DA driving round the departures drop-off for an hour and occasionally being moved on. There were lots of armed police around, I noticed, incidentally.

It will be very strange without Son2 around, even at uni an hour away, but he'll be back in a few months for his Christmas break and then, hopefully, we'll be paying him a visit out there. Exciting times for all! :)