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Published: September 11th 2022
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Sat 10th Sept. Getting there despite some peckerheads
After a frantic four days in London, with three shows in two days, we had one night at home to get ready for this trip. We never do things simply!
Normally we drive to the airport but airport parking (off-site of course) has rocketed in price so it was only a few quid extra to be picked up. Mind you, given the price of petrol at the moment, it’s probably about the same once you factor everything in.
Our ‘always on time’ transfer turned up five minutes late but Mohammed was soon whisking us to Manchester airport. He was quite chatty but I was out of his view so Claire did the talking for both of us. There was a road closure and Mohammed knew a good way round so having him drive us was an even better idea. Setting off in plenty of time was, as always, an even better idea so I am quite smug in being proved rigt as always!
Inside the airport there were lots more queues but we made it through with less than an hour to spare. We even got through security without
a bag check….yes I know I’m asking for trouble there! And then came the inevitable delay….
I had been told that we had a one hour transfer at Istanbul….and the flight left the gate one hour and ten minutes late. We were assured that we would catch our flight….and that’s where we are now as we head for take off…..
Having previously missed a connection in Istanbul that wasn’t my fault….I am prepared!
Since we got together Claire is used to my bad luck at airports having previously never having had a single problem. Now, she doesn’t expect her luggage to get there, flights to be delayed and the inflight-system to be in Mongolian. I find it’s best to expect these things……
Flight one. Not much legroom (obviously for someone 6’ 3”), late and the inflight-system didn’t work although I did manage to get Claire’s working after both screens were reset. Mine? Useless. It could have been worse though. The guy across the way watched Aquaman….all the way through!! The journey must have felt about 3 days long!
We get to Istanbul and have a mad dash from one side of the enormous airport to the other. There are moving walkways and there we meet our first peckerheads of the holiday. Who in their right minds stands still on one of those things and, even worse, blocks the way of everyone else!?!? Peckerheads that’s who!!
Anyway, we actually make it onto the plane in plenty of time, particularly as it was fifteen minutes late setting off. More legroom this time and both in-flight systems worked! I watched The Duke and it was okay.
Food note 1. This is my first time travelling abroad since turning vegan so it should be interesting. Flight one the starter was green beans, the main course was, wait for it, green beans. Could have been worse, could have been the devil’s food-mucky mushrooms. Both were okay but rather lacking in imagination in a world full of alternatives. Flight two was hummus and something forgotten followed by veg in sauce. Again not brilliant but definitely edible. The carnivores had a choice of chicken or….chicken….which annoyed the woman next to me. Claire offered to punch her in the face instead but she passed on that far from unique opportunity *.
*This last bit didn’t happen of course.
We got to Tiblisi only about ten minutes late and breezed through passport control as we don’t have to worry about being second-class citizens here following Brexit. We are embarrassed by our none-EU passports though and Claire has bought a cover to hide hers.
And then the usual nervous wait at baggage reclaim…..as I said, I normally stand by Lost and Found ready for the almost inevitable. BUT….Turkish airlines did the biz and our luggage arrived! Imagine getting to a country at the same time as your luggage? Weird….
I think that’s a long enough blog for one day….even though we’ve only just arrived….
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