Returning home

I was up, showered and fully packed ready for the transfer bus at 0600. These are the times when white hair is an asset and my suitcase was taken on and off the buses for me.

You take two buses to get to the airport. I was far to early so I had yoghurt and muesli before going through security and a pleasant chat with an Irishman who lives in Belgium and had been fishing in Iceland with his brother who lives in Australia/Mongolia!

It was self service for the luggage tags. The first 3 machines did not work…..but the fourth did.

Other people were having problems too.

Security was OK except I didn’t have to remove my boots, until I had to go back, remove them and try again.

I am reading Anne Michaels’ brilliant book, Held, so I was well occupied.

My troubles were about to begin. The gate was announced and the info board said it was 15 minutes away. Still 45 mins to go, so no problem. We had to go through passport control and the queues were horrendous. About 300 people waiting to go through one of 4 booths. No self service. No staff to make sure that people got through according to flight times.

I could see that I would not make it, so advanced past people, apologising and explaining and pushing forward all the way. I made it just before the gate closed, along with about 20 others. What a relief.

The flight was very easy and just about 2 hours. My blip is an aerial view as we approach Glasgow Airport.

I joined the queue for the city centre bus and was denied a free trip with my bus pass. The official would not believe me that it had been free in the other direction.

A lovely woman on the bus helped me to get to the station and I made it onto a Manchester Airport train. The train I had booked was later and delayed.
At Carlisle the trains were also delayed so I hopped straight onto one for Morpeth. The only drawback was that the one toilet was “out of order”. That’s enough information!

Liz collected me and provided a delicious meal. I’m home with Daisy and Oscar. Daisy is making a big fuss and wants to knead my poor legs with her claws out!

It’s been a great trip and it’s lovely to be home again.