I am on the road again. This time to England. It's a flying visit, literally. Out Monday evening, return Tuesday evening. And an all-day meeting the meantime.
It's a job!
On Friday last we discovered that I had not visited a "works doctor" for just over 2 years. So I was banned from international travel. Then we found a slot with the doctor for Monday morning.
So Monday started with a doctors visit and I am fine so I can go. All sorted, I declared when I returned to work. We set off for the airport.
At the checkin I asked for my ticket. Ah! When you weren't going, we booked ours and not yours.
No ticket.
I called and had permission to make an emergency reservation but the flight was full. So I am on the flight 2 hrs later and I will have to use a taxi not the hire car.
Do I have a room at the hotel?
No.
I called them and now I have a room.
Whilst queuing for the 2nd of what will be 4 times, waiting our turn at passport control, the lady in front asked, in French, where I was going. She expressed her like for the Shenzhen accord (no borders in Europe) and expressed her sadness should Britain chose to leave. Yes, I joked, I could need a visa to visit England. She asked why Britain wanted to leave and whilst I don't know, I suggested it could be rule from Brussels. Ah yes, she agreed, no one likes that!
Just then she was called forward and she quickly went on her way. My turn next and the passport officer looked at my documents and said Oh, I thought you were with that lady? No I said, just a moments encounter. She is going somewhere quite different.
The third queue delayed me a little. My home-made English to French electric adapter cased the X-Ray lady to turn my bag over and send it through again. Satisfied, I was allowed to continue unquestioned.
And now I am rather early for checking in, hence this blog.
All's well that ends well.
The saga continues:
Well the ticket was good. Expensive but good. There was priority boarding and a free sandwich and drink (a small bottle of white wine). The flight was a short hour and disembarkation didn't take too long.
Now I need a taxi. A handy policeman pointed me the last 100 yards when the signs ran out (they are still handy for that) and I climbed aboard a taxi that claimed to take credit cards. A man got in behind me.
We are not together, I said and told him my destination. I don't know where he is going, I added but my stop was on the way so I said he could come along. He was Italian and it was his first time to his destination if not in England.
I gave the taxi man the full address and he plumbed it into his GPS. It was dark and we drove along following the electronic English voice. After a while I recognised a roundabout and since this was my first time in the area I started to worry.
The GPS gives wrong information sometimes, the taxi driver informed me as he took a different exit.
Turn round insisted his navigator. No don't, I protested. I had spotted the hotel. Keep going, I will be your GPS! And so we arrived and I paid the man. Good luck, I wished the Italian. He was going to need it.
The others were in the bar and had eaten. I said hello to the new man who had joined them. They had pint glasses of water on the table. I chided them for coming to England and drinking pints of water. No wonder the French think English beer is weak.
I checked in and ordered an Old Speckled Hen to wait for me as I deposited my bags. The bottle caused some comment. I poured some into an empty glass for them to try. Soon there were 3 more bottles on the table.
The hotel (no adverts) served food 24/7 so I had a good plate of pasta and retired to bed. There was a very wet patch on the carpet outside the bathroom which explained the electric fire that I found full on in my room. I had turned it off because the whole room was far too hot. Now my socked foot was wet! Still it was a last minute room so I didn't mind.
I set my phone alarm noting that the local time on it had not reset. It went off in the morning but only after having realised it was in England (and so resetting the time) and now I was late!
Nevertheless a quick shower was in order. But no, after running the water a long time and getting only cold, I gave in and had a simpler wash in the basin.
At the English breakfast, that only I had in full, I was asked if there was no hot water in England. Not any more, I joked, not since the recession. We blame it on the EU, it's why we want to get out.
The day went well and we finished in good time to get to the airport for the return flight. Early enough, indeed, for the early flight. But the extra cost per person was far too high so the Frenchmen decided to wait. However, my ticket was flexible, I transferred at no extra cost and was given a Fast-Track ticket since boarding was soon. I waived goodbye and was guided passed the long queues to security. I will see them again tomorrow.
Whilst waiting to be escorted passed the long queues, a tall man appeared and begged to be allowed to pass. His hand was visibly shaking as he presented his documents. He didn't have a fast ticket like me but his plane was already boarding so a man was summoned.
He explained to me that he was afraid of flying and had been in the toilet. I had not asked. This was too much information.
A man appeared and took him first to catch his flight. That's what walky-talkies and yellow jackets should be for! He soon came back for me.
My little penknife often flys with me. I forget it is there and it is small enough to be acceptable. This time however my luggage was searched. There's what looks like a penknife in here somewhere the security man claimed. I fished it out for him and he laughed and waived me on.
The flight was uneventful. I had 2 seats to myself which was comfortable. I popped back to use the facilities. It was engaged but the only other one was at the front of this small plane. I waited. The stewardesses arrived and busied themselves. After a while they asked if I had waited long? Well I had. They unlocked the door from outside and cautiously knocked and peeped inside.
Sorry, they said and I was allowed in.
So my last minute ticket had scored again and I was home early. Not so bad, a little crisis can be quite a benefit as well!
One last adventure. After a long walk and a long wait for passport control, I reach the train station. I already had my ticket so I could just catch the fast train. The sign said Platform 12.
I climbed onto an empty carriage on the train on platform 12. Another train pulled in on platform 11 opposite. I popped my head out of the door to be sure and noticed that my train said "no passengers". Just then the doors closed and we set off. The signs we passed as we left the station confirmed the message.
But it was wrong and I am nearly home and not stuck in the depot. Perhaps that is why the carriage was empty?
Sorry, no photos!
Terry
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