Is it us? Just us? No matter the trip, or destination. No matter the airline, no matter the baggage allowance – we ALWAYS exceed it! So this trip was not going to be any different! I can, however, blame it on Anil’s golf clubs!
A week earlier, I had marvelled at the tender way in which Anil prepared them for travel.
Each baby was cleaned and dressed in new grips,- special grips brought from Washington. I wonder if such care & attention would enhance the golf handicap.
Aside from the golf clubs, how did we exceed the remaining 92 kg? Do you know the collective weight of giant Cadburys bars, boxes of strawberry cremes, bars of Crunchies, and Mars Bars?? I only bought them the day before travelling. As much as I wanted to buy and get organised the week before, there was a high probability of them being consumed twice or thrice over prior to departure day!
Being slightly off my food due to a virus was not enough to guarantee the stash of confectionery would remain intact! Anyone who knows me will know how true this is!!
So between that - and what else would be expected from Scottish Travellers??
Various whisky bottles had been selected and wrapped for safe transit. In all my travels, I have successfully transported numerous fragile or awkward items –China plates. A china tea set. A large wicker stool. Not forgetting the lampshade which had to sit on my knee all the way from India to Scotland once. This was in the days pre 9/11 – I even had a set of cutlery in my backpack once – complete with knives and forks!
On another trip, I carried a large tub of my famous homemade fried rice for a special friend – securely closed and taped and oh so very spicy! Meals on Wheels has taken to a new level!
As well as the sweets, whisky, and shortbread, we did throw in a few items of clothing!
Our Ben took us to the airport, and it was lovely to have him see us off on our special journey
He has selflessly agreed to have our car when we are away – yes, the BMW - the sports model - taxed – insured – so kind of him to have it for us!
Not one for sentimentality he did upload to Social Media a lovely post –
‘It's really nice to see my parents finally heading into the sunset after working so hard their whole lives.’
A 2-hour delay by British Airways due to ‘an important panel under the aircraft not securing properly’ – that sounds a little bit worrying, but we trust it will be repaired fully! I mulled over the necessary madness of air transport.
Literally squeezed into a seat - Average 350 seats 17.2-18 inches across and a pitch 18-20 inches – not much ‘space’ for the eight-hour journey – at least the destination was not New Zealand.
With COVID still doing the rounds, I switched my mind off from what germs and bugs and viruses may be circulating in the cabin but abandoned my mask - What will be, will be decided.
Waiting, and waiting, and waiting – I love it! Given our trend of excess baggage, the relief I feel when I get my loaded cases checked in without being given a hefty charge or having to empty bits and pieces into an already bulging carry-on bag means I am quite happy to sit and people-watch, and wait to board.
Finally - We are on our way!
P.S. A word on British Airways breakfast - have you ever heard of scrambled eggs in a pastry wrap? Not quite the Full English!
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