jawnbc | Travels, travails (Reply)

querrelleand I had a quick cuppa chez nous before I grabbed a taxi to the airport. Check in with Singapore Air was smoothed by being able to pick my own seats online within 48 hours of each flight. The agent convinced me to check my carry-on (”they’ll take it at the gate anyway”), which I later regretted.

Shortly before we boarded the first of several supercell thunderstorms roared through: blinding sheets of rain, grape-sized hail, howling winds. Eventually 3 squalls blew through, each one stopping air traffic, each one interrupting ground crew (loading/unloading), each one with hail (2 of 3) necessitating a re-inspection of the aircraft. Thus we left Sydney nearly 2 hours late, which didn’t bode well for my connection through to London.

The flight itself was excellent: I wholly recommend Singapore Air. For economy class the seats were comfy, the crew were fantastic--hard working, pleasant, fast--and I had the best red curry beef I’ve ever had. Anywhere. Each seat has its own mini-TV, so all the stuff (movies, music, games) were on-demand. Start when you want, pause, restart, scan ahead. It was an ADHD boyo’s dreamland!

About an hour out of Singapore Changi Airport the wee TVs started offering gate information for connecting flights. The last page was about 10 flight that said “see gate agent”. Including....mine. But 15 minutes out they announced that several info tables had been set up, and proceded to assign 3-4 flights to each table. But they didn’t mention London the first tiime. Or second. On the third they added, “and passengers on flight 322 to London, proceed directly to gate F54.” They held the flight and put our Sydney-Sing flight in the gate next door. Yay! I boarded, took pills, strapped myself in and slept 8 of the 13 hours (plus dozed another 1-2).

London this morning we arrived 30 minutes late. I made my Aer Lingus flight--but my bag didn’t (maudite vâche australienne à l’aeroport de Sydney). After getting a SIM card, map, doing a luggage claim and finding the hotel shuttle it was after 09h00 (8pm in Sydney). Travelling well over 24 hours. Got the hotel (very nice), had a hot bath, a nice gabber with my man (and

toneyvr who arrived safely yesterday), and then a 4 hour nap. I’ve staggered around since, decided to skip going into town.

Tomorrow are 2 presentations, then I’ll power into Dublin proper. Shopping. Buggery. Shopping. Grafton Street at Christmas time. I’ll make a day of it.

Wish me luck!