Awake early at the Holiday Inn Express in Harlow then breakfast and some last minute shopping (these last minute shopping expeditions seem to be all to frequent). Diversion to school sports day at Mark Hall on our way to the airport.
Continued on towards Heathrow, and on entering the M11 we encountered Mrs Obama’s motorcade coming at us from the opposite direction. Must have been at least ten vehicles, accompanied by half a dozen met police motorcycle outriders, all with blue lights flashing and sirens going.
Dropped the rental car off, very efficient and speedy transfer to the terminal building. We are now so far ahead of schedule that we are twiddling our thumbs. I decide to occupy my time by trying to either talk (or buy) my way into an upgrade, and transfer my passport to my pocket (family joke there). After much keyboard tapping the lady at the desk informs me that not only are there no free seats on the flight, but that I may not be able to sit next to my fellow traveller. She picks up the phone and has a lengthy conversation with mission control, and some minutes later she is able to confirm that we are seated together.
We drop bags off, and proceed to security. I place all my belongings in the plastic tray provided, and go through the metal detector that my fellow traveller has gone through already. I, however, sound the alarm. I am asked to remove my shoes and requested to step to one side for a fingertip search. The gentleman was polite enough to ask me whether I minded first I would add. He puts on his protective gloves and proceeds to give me a personal frisk. Just when I thought he had finished, he produces a step, into which a post has been fashioned. He requests that I place one foot on the post, and the other one the floor. He then checks my feet, more like a massage I would say. I am about to remark that he would be able to get a job in the evening doing massages, but think it better not to make a joke with security personnel. His colleague meanwhile has taken a swab from my hands for analysis.
Eventually I am cleared and we pass on. There is now another stop for some more last minute shopping (I kid you not). I leave my fellow traveller in the shop and carry on for some refreshment. We meet up, and make our way to the departure area, the furthest one from the main terminal building. There is one final last minute shop, and photos of the aeroplane to send to the family and we are boarding.
Finally we are on our way. As we reach cruising altitude Colin, the cabin steward, arrives with snacks and a most welcome drink. Oh and have some wine as well. I place my drinks in the seat pocket in front of me.
For the best part of the next nine hours my fellow traveller and I are restless and unable to sleep. I watch a film and some family guy and then resort to a recording of some meditation techniques and music, which I have to say did help. Over western Canada now with complete cloud cover, partially broken by dirty smoke, what looks like a forest fire. Shortly after the cabin crew appear with cream tea prior to our arrival, and within no time we are on the ground and it is “doors to manual and cross check”.
After passport and customs formalities we make our way outside, our lift to the city is waiting and in short time we are at the hotel, tired but eagerly anticipating the days to come.
Later that evening we take a walk along the beach, a block away from the hotel. There are a good number of people on the beach, some young couples taking selfies in the sunset, and groups of youths playing American football on the sand. As they run past they throw up clouds of dust. They are very apologetic. Back at the hotel with a take away Starbucks coffee, ready for some sleep at last.
