unforgettable

Our journey home was ….. one we’re unlikely to forget (cue elephant - a present from Yakshi).

It’s in three parts; the taxi ride to the airport, the plane and the taxi ride home.  A total duration of 17 hours.  

The ride to the airport was not the white-knuckle, late night dash we experienced last year.  But still memorable, in its own way.  

It starts on the narrow winding roads behind D&V’s house.  No rush - we’ve plenty of time.  

At one point we descend a steep hill. There’s a sharp left-hand bend about half way down.  As we reach the apex of the corner, a car is parked while the driver allows a young boy to relieve himself at the side of the road.  We swerve to miss it, and of course there’s a car coming up the hill towards us which we also miss. Just.

About halfway to airport we join a major highway (much like a motorway).  As we accelerate onto the slipway, I notice the driver fumbling to put his seat belt on.  There are police about.

I won’t say much about the flight, except to say it’s awful.  Being 6’3” and facing a long flight, we’ve paid extra for seats with a bit more legroom.  As we check-in we’re informed that the seats are ‘broken’ and we can’t have them.  They’re very sorry, as they direct us to the cheap seats. 

Luckily there’s an empty one between me and Anniemay and I spend ten and a half hours sitting with my legs at 45 degrees.  ‘Nuff said.

We have a taxi booked to take us home from the airport and emerging into the freezing night, we attempt to establish a rendezvous point with the driver.  This provides a moment of comic relief as Anniemay and the driver speak to each other on their respective phones.   I miss the blip of the century.

There are two figures in the road standing back to back each shouting “I’m here, where are you?”  I walk over and introduce them.

It doesn’t quite end there.  The driver arrived early and parked in the multi-story carpark.  The only problem is that he can’t remember where he parked it.  We spend about half-an-hour dragging a trolley with 3 heavy suitcases between 2 carparks, each on different floors.  

We eventually arrive home to a warm house, thanks to Anniemay fiddling with the heating app, in time to sink onto the sofa with a cup of tea and fall asleep watching the latest episode of Vera.

Thank you all for your good wishes and following our time with Dan and Veronica.  It’s been quite a trip.