I expected to sleep somewhat fitfully. I always do on the night before an early morning engagement, as I am nervous about making sure I am awake at the appointed time. To this end, I had set two alarms. One was on my (now aging) iPhone 13, and the other on my Microsoft Surface Laptop. Both were plugged in overnight to ensure the batteries would not run out of charge.
I remember seeing 01:00 CEST, and 02:00 CEST, and was therefore somewhat surprised to be awakened by the alarms at 05:00 CEST. It seemed I had in fact slept better than expected.
I had a very brief shower, resolving to have a more intensive set of ablutions on my arrival home. I departed the hotel, and walked the now planned, and sensible route back to the airport.
I took the unusual step of paying for a gentleman to encase my checked bag in plastic wrap. This was primary due to concern that my now rather elderly “trundle” suitcase had not been intended to be thrown around by baggage handlers, instead be trundled around by me. It had a number of tears in the lining and the thought of my travel being impeded by my underwear exploding over a baggage conveyor belt was not one I could bear. It seemed worth the extra expense, and I put a new suitcase on my “to buy” list.
I checked my now expertly wrapped bag in, and a screen told me it was being sent to Edinburgh.
The queue for security was long, but moved relatively swiftly. I was at the check from having joined the queue after about 25 minutes. I had a minor panic when I passed a refuse disposal area which stated that liquids greater than 100 ml must be disposed of. This was contary to what I had read on-line, so I rapidly gulped down the water in my bottle, and resolved to dispose of my mouthwash, and shaving gel. I was probably wise to gulp the water anyway as I was in fact feeling quite dehydrated.
The person at the entrance to the security area was charming, and said that she liked my “Ghostbusters” bag as it went into the tray. I showed her my liquids and asked if they need be removed. She said “no”.
I had a brief pat-down by security but they did not seem overly concerned about me. My bag tray however landed in the isle for extra checks. The gentleman who checked it was only concerned with my mouthwash. This was put on a machine with a picture of a bottle on it, and a button was pressed. A screen went green and read “pass”.
I was released from security, nearly forgetting my belt as I left. The gentleman was holding it out to me as I tried to walk away. I think he was making something of an “eye roll”.
There was a lady next to me at the extra check who I think from her passport was from Taiwan. She was getting much more of a “third degree” than I was as she had tried to take a small self-defence spray on board, and this was “not allowed”. The security person was calling a supervisor for another “extra check”. I did not stay to find out what happened.
My passport was checked with no issue, albeit I was slightly annoyed that the automatic gates could not be used by me. I could see from the departure board that gate area “G” was where my flight would be departing from. There were in fact some 76 “G” gates, and there was yet to be an indication as to which was to be mine. This being the case, I opted to find a Café somehwere around the half-way mark such that I would have the shortest walk possible when the gate was announced.
Café found, I ordered a “melange” coffee, and an apricot croissant. These were enjoyed while watching the ‘planes taking off. I noticed some very small private ‘planes departing. They looked like toys alongside the larger, commercial jets.
At 06:40 CEST my gate was announced by email, and on the boards as “G26”. As luck would have it, I was already ensconced at that location. I moved a few steps to a seat where I could see the desk, and corridor we would be departing down. Slowly, and surely, other passengers started to arrive. I could hear a group of young gentlemen talking about their travel plans. The words “Edinburgh”, and “Highlands” jumped out at me.
We were called to the gate slightly earlier than the stated boarding time of 07:50 CEST. The ‘plane took off without incident, and the journey was smooth.
I landed at Edinburgh Airport 09:50 BST. This was 10 minutes ahead of schedule. Given my previous bad luck with travel, I was took this as a “little win”. My bag took some time coming through the coveyor, but did arrive. I spent some time remove the plastic wrap so I could wheel it out of the airport.
I cleared passport control via and electrninic gate, and customs were not in evidence.
The tram took me to Edinburgh Gateway, where I caught a train to Aberdour. As I arrived at the station they were closing off the road for a parade. I did wonder if it was to celebrate my return, but it was infact for the Aberdour Festival.
I arrived home, and laid down my hat.
