There and here

I made it!
I didn't sleep much overnight, paranoid about missing my alarm and 4.40am taxi, so ended up tossing and turning instead of sleeping. Everything went smoothly, Edinburgh airport was very quiet, but of course the lounge was a sizeable trot from the gate. We were all loaded and away though more or less on time. Goodbye to rain for a month.
My transfer in Doha was so on time too, I didn't have to walk as far as usual, however I also missed out on the prestige part of the airport with its Tai chi and its gardens. It's when you see gentlemen like the three in my picture wandering around without anyone noticing, that you realise you've slipped into another culture.
I've discovered that my airmiles are worth quite a lot, so although it's a short stop on the way back I may buy myself a treat. Last time I was here there was enough for a large bottle of Chanel for Ali, there's lots more this time so Katy and I may be in luck.
My second and thankfully shorter flight, was on an Airbus 320 which is not a comfortable plane. I didn't manage to sleep on it even though it was late, however it arrived in Trivandrum on time. I was quickly through immigration - for dinner train I don't have clear fingerprints, so it takes ages for their biometric checks before they give in and just write - no clear fingerprints- on the immigration form. I'm a bit old to take full advantage of this for a life of crime I fear.
The plane touched down at 2.15am I was in my bedroom by 3.00am 12km away. It's so nice to come out into the stifling heat to find a grinning driver with a card with my name on it waiting for me. The heat always takes me aback for a couple of days until I adjust to never feeling cold - except in fierce AC.
Anyway, safely into the hotel and, after a quick cup of herbal tea, to sleep.