After picking out our choice of wardrobe last night and hanging it on our huge portable wardrobe rail, reserved for parties and holiday packing, we had a leisurely breakfast before packing the cases. The combined weight was 77kg and my rucksack containing lenses, cameras, iPad and Mac plus assorted power supplies and cables, added another 10kg, so were well within our allowance thankfully.
The driver failed to turn up at 10:30 so Hubby called them, but he was just a bit lost - houses with only names not numbers cause so much confusion for callers - we do actually have a number, but it is inconsistent and even appears incorrectly on some sat-navs so that is no help even if we offer it.
The drive started fine, but Woodhead pass was as busy as usual, complete with reckless drivers, and by the time we got to Tintwhislte (pronounced Tinsel) the queues were rediculous. Our driver tried a couple of detours but all routes through were crazy. Detouring via Glossop provided the best path and we made “relatively” good time, until we hit Mottram Hill where again the traffic was hopeless. I taught him a new route through an estate and round Tescos that we often use, and we were pleased to observe we had gained advantage over others we recognised as they later passed us a break-neck speed on the M67.
Hitting MAN and huge roadworks, we finally made the check in only 30 minutes later than planned, and still in time to get victimised passing through security. Unusually, it was Hubby who got the body search, but as usual my rucksack was intercepted, unsurprising considering how much metal and wires are stored within.
We had a half-hour in the new lounge (to us anyway) called 1903 which is dedicated to the Wright Brothers first powered flight in that year. It’s small and quiet and rather nice, we mostly resisted the smorgasbord but had to try a lovely cheese platter and a glass of prosecco of course.
JOur first flight took ages to board, it was full to bursting, but eventually we were on our way and a lovely lunch of mixed salad with olives and sultanas, club sandwich for him and pastrami for me then banoffee pie all washed down this time with with cava. KLM have lovely china and the service is always attentive, even on the short hop. The child-captain hadn’t started shaving yet, and was very excitable with his announcements - the purser told me he’s always like that - I guess it’s all fine as long as he knows how to drive the bus, which clearly he did!
With over four hours to spare, we walked a long way from our arrival terminal, then walked to the departure terminal E24 and then back-tracked to the lounge to check our walking time (10½ minutes and 1246 steps.) We stopped off to watch the lovely “clock-man” timepiece which I find endlessly entertaining as he patiently and unerringly paints the clock hands, then cleans the face, then scrapes off the minute hand before painting the next minute - a fabulous and functional piece of ‘art’ and humour.
Eventually arriving at the lovely ‘52’ lounge we have time to relax, me writing this, Hubby reading Shackleton’s book about his intrepid 1914 to 1917 expedition - I’m also reading this on a different device. What an amaizing account! Of course we need sustenance so it’s spicy nuts and other bits and pieces this time lubricated by Crémant de Limoux. It’s been a fun tour of Europe by sparkling beverage so far today!
20:00 is imminent and we’re on our last glass before we head off to E24...
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