We agree to leave the hotel at 6:15 for the 8:50 flight. At 4:45 'The Font' is up and about and cheerfully observes that we've never had a hotel room with a patterned carpet like this before. After a conversational gambit like that Angus resigns himself to the fact that further sleep will be impossible.
We check out of the hotel at 5:30. 'You don't know how bad the traffic will be ' The Fonts reasoning for this accelerated departure. We say good morning to the ladies arranging the flowers in the lobby and the gentleman with the broom. Angus is asked for the hundredth time if he has the passports.
We leave our bags with the bell hop and enjoy a quick walk outside before getting a cab. A chance to get some fresh air before the flight. Tokyo may have glitzier hotels but none have a location like this one. Sitting out on the terrace by the moat is one of lifes delights.
We get to the airport in exactly 16 minutes. So much for worrying about how much traffic there might be. Check in and security are empty and together take another five minutes. 'Everyone must be at the World Expo' says The Font breezily. This leaves us with nearly two hours before take off. In the airline lounge we're offered fish but settle for a croissant.
A sign in the departures lounge intriguingly says 'No pets or balloons'.
The plane has just arrived at the gate as we walk into the airline lounge. There don't seem to be any signs of delays to our BA flight although aircraft coming in over India and Pakistan later in the day may be rerouted.
The flight back heads up over Canada and is due to take 15 hours and should be smooth. We shall spend tonight at the Sofitel at Heathrow and then take the first flight north in the morning. Scotland beckons. How quickly the time has flown by.
With the early start to your day, hopefully you and The Font will sleep well on the flight! Looking at the map, and knowing you both enjoy the US I wondered why you didn't stop over in Washington DC or NY for a couple of nights, but perhaps there are no direct flights from there to Edinburgh. Wishing you safe and uneventful travels.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home. St Andrews was delightful yesterday, sunny and almost warm. We had a nice walk about. We take the train to Glasgow today.
ReplyDeleteAngus is asked for the hundredth time if he has the passports.
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteSafe flight... and I hope, a restful one. Clearly The Font is keen to be home! YAM xx
Once on a trip - I think we were in Turkey - my husband was shuffling through his papers which he insisted on keeping in a long folder - we were at check-in and he had turned to go when a couple behind us pointed out that he had dropped his passport. He never would have seen it on his own. I still shutter when I think of it.
ReplyDeleteSafe return travels
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing photos of your entire trip! Sadly I didn't get the "feel" for Japan that I have on journeys you've made to other countries.
ReplyDeleteI still miss your reports from The Rickety Old farmhouse and needless to say the antics of Bob and Sophie! Am I the only one?
No, you aren't the only one. It was an especially charmed time.
DeleteThat's quite a flight path home. Now comes the 8 hour time adjustment. Looking forward to your posts about your walks around St. Andrews.
ReplyDeleteSafe travels, and rest and relaxation on your return home.
ReplyDeleteSafe travels. I’m surprised the airline didn’t suggest to arrive at the airport four hours before flight time. That seems to be customary in the US for an international flight (or maybe that’s my husband’s rule!).
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