Thursday 20th February 2020 - home

Seems like I couldn’t resist!!! Maybe I think I have an audience out there 😂😂

Up at 6.10, in reception by 6.50 hoping our car back to the airport would be early, but no. It should have been there by 7.00 and every other time the car has been early. I am a bit anxious and already looking at telephone numbers to call but at about 7.05 a young man comes into reception very out of breath and looking relieved when he sees 2 obviously European looking people waiting for a driver! They had been at the wrong Pullman!!! Catastrophe averted we were driven to the airport where the security person at the entrance (even before check in) took ages to look at our documentation. At that point we were glad of not only a driver but also an assistant to get us through the process!

After that, check in and security were straightforward if lengthy. Belt and watch off. Camera, phone, iPad, battery pack, liquids, purse with coins in, all in the tray. Then in Indian airports women are taken through a different scanner, into a little tented area where a female Indian security officer then scans you again and stamps your boarding pass.

Next problem, flight delayed, initially by 10 minutes, but we take off an hour late. Not a problem except that our transfer time in Doha is only 1hour 15 minutes. This could be interesting!!

So I’m writing this somewhere on the way to Doha. As flight data is unavailable I don’t know where we are or if we have made up any time!

I’ll be back later!

Well, we made it to Doha with 55 minutes before the next flight. It was all a bit frantic rushing to the gate only to find they hadn’t started boarding 😅 I was selected for a random search of my hand luggage which threw me a bit but I wasn’t carrying anything I shouldn’t!!!

The first flight was in a Boeing 787 and then on a 777. Sadly no more A380’s!!

Second flight was just over 7 hours and I managed to watch American Bistro and Jersey Boys, along with Judy on the first flight. We landed at 5.25.

So now back in the UK. Got through immigration, collected our bags, security and straight onto the TfL train to Paddington. At Liverpool Street station just after 7 and home by 9.00.

We have now been up for 21 hours and although we had a little sleep on the plane we are feeling weary. Cup of tea and bed. A welcome home treat is the sound of the tawny owls in the trees outside!

It’s been an amazing adventure and a real privilege to be able to travel, see the world and have your view of the world challenged. We’ll have to start planning the next one!!!