I had a terrible sleep . Up and down from the loo and my brian was also busy ; probably thinking about our imminent departure.
I was sad to be leaving. We had a really enjoyable and quite busy time. I could have done with a bit less of the heat, but it just served to remind me as to why we prefer Greece in the shoulder months.
We retired to shady sunbeds after brekkie – and – yes – T the unwashed took a shower.
Tina rang to suggest she pick us up and we join her and Aspassia at their house. I grabbed a quick swim and we were removed to their shady garden and twinkling pool.
This all involved some disruption to our packing arrangements.
We chatted for a while before driving to Rafina to a Turkish restaurant for home cooked lunch. The large array of taxis parked up at Rafina confirmed my view of the other day, when we couldn’t get a taxi back from Nea Makri. Should have gone to Rafina!
Lunch was very good but Vangelis was very late joining us. Held up by some patient or other.
I asked Tina to return us to the hotel, rather than go back and forth any more. My mind was set on the return trip home and where various travel items and documents needed to be in our carry on bags.
We whiled away an hour or so by the pool, then gathered our things together to await our transfer driver.
She proved to be a chatty lady of Australian origin , who clearly had the best job ever, driving around in an air con taxi during the daily heat.
We knew our plane was to be delayed by nearly 2 hours, according to the text I received from Easyjet. It was like an annoying replay of some previous trip. The nice Greek Easy Jet check in lady tried hard to get us to take the special assistance, and assured me that my whole being would feel better if we avoided the 15 minute walk. But I declined. Not sure why. But the walk was OK – just sticky.
We had no problem with the scanners. We were not required to take off any outer garments, nor put any electronic equipment in a separate tray, nor hand over keys and belts in the body scanner. They did not ask that I take off my shoes. They weren’t officious and obstructive line the Gatwick staff. I am not sure if that means security was more lax in Athens.
We needed a drink. The first place I enquired… Coffee? No. Limonada? No. Water? Only 1.5L. I tell you what ( You useless outfit) – I will go somewhere else. So, we did, and bought a couple of baguettes, because, on this occasion, another Easyjet text warned they did no longer do food.
At the gate we were prioritised along with some other special assistance family. (sunflower lanyard) They had a severely disabled young boy who emitted regular loud grunts and groans.
There was a real old muddle going on between ground staff and announcements. The gate kept changing and the family beside us were told the plane was on time.
We were 90 minutes late leaving.
But, the flight must have been a real goody. I registered nothing about it, apart from the first and the last half hour. And only the last half hour because an announcement to that effect awoke me from wherever I was. I slept the whole flight, like a baby. Probably not. My mouth was probably open, I expect I snored. And dribbled too.
Close inspection out of the window revealed an unpleasant sight. Even in the dark l, I worked that out. We appeared to be parked out in a field, miles away from anywhere sensible; there were buses lined up, and I could feel those dreaded stairs waiting. Yes! at 23.30 UK time we were again dumped with that vast walk.
Now was the time for special assistance. And it was truly amazing. A very helpful man, took our cabin bags, enquired if we were ok on the stairs and loaded us onto a vehicle, along with the family and we purred our way around the outside and the inside of the airport, including in and out of lifts and through passport control. We just sat there.
The family must have had an issue with one of their passports because I could hear questions and the passport stamp.
We were dropped by the conveyor belt where our bag miraculously appeared to meet us. Thank you Gatwick!
We trundled our way to the Premier Inn, had a drink at the late night drink place and went to bed.
So- there you have it!
And it’s 7.10 Wednesday morning. The sky is grey. We have a view over silent runways. My nose is stuffed up and my eyes hurt. Hotel air-con maybe?
Greece is a different world. Heidi we are coming to get you.
Thought for the Day
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