Well it's time to go home ...
Today I head for Glasgow and then home.
Thursday ...
I discover it's only 2-3 hours by the direct route so I have a late breakfast and take the long way round the North-West.
I still make it to Glasgow by about 3pm and book into the Holiday Inn anfter several frustrating trips around the entrance to the airport because I can't find the entrance to the hotel carpark.
The weather has been it's usual grey, wet self so I haven't taken a single photo on the way.
Actually once I start the homeward trip it's always a bit like that ... and I always kick myself afterwards!
Friday ...
I plan to stay in the Holiday Inn for two nights so I can spend Friday having a quick look at Glasgow before I head off.
Of course I didn't check ... it's "Good Friday" and "Rotten Weather Day" so buses etc. have modified timetables and lots of tourist spots are closed for the Easter break.
I decide to just stay in the hotel and read the book I spent my last Scottish pounds on as the money changers don't want to mess with small amounts.
But I only try the restaurant once! I sent most of the food back and refused to pay for it. The staff were quite good really and a bit embarrassed so they took it off the bill without argument. It was slightly better food and slightly cheaper prices at the airport cafes all of 50 metres away.
Saturday ...
The flight leaves at 14:15 so I check in at 11:00 and am just about last in the queue. Then they decide to weigh my case and hand-luggage (read camera bag) together! Oops. Just a bit overweight. So I take my camera out and fit it with the largest lens and extensions and hang it around my neck. They don't count it then!! Of course as soon as I am checked in I put it back in the bag and don't have to take it out again until I get home.
The flight is delayed about an hour and a half due to a massive sand storm in Dubai so we take off late and arrive in Dubai late.
Sunday ...
Dubai is backed up with delayed flights and they are trying to clear them as fast as possible so my 2-1/2 hour connect time is now 15 minutes. We have landed at gate C32 which is about as far as you can get from the departure gate A9 so I grab all of my gear and do the "old-man getting out of an airplane seat after 9 hours" shuffle to the other end of the C terminal and catch the train to the A terminal and repeat the "dash to the other end" process in time to be the last person aboard. Whew. Of course my checked luggage doesn't make it in time and will have to come on a later flight. Fortunately they are well organised and already have set the wheels in motion to have it delivered home the next day.
So that's about it until the next journey ...
Comments powered by CComment