We were up earlyish for breakfast yesterday and then went to the top deck to sun bathe for our last few hours in Barbados. We had a room for the day so we had somewhere to leave our hand luggage. Lunch was busy and after that we were able to have a shower and get dressed in clean clothes ready for the journey. We left at 14.00 for the 49 minute drive to the airport, once there it was straight to the passport and security check which didn't take long and then we found somewhere to sit for the next 3 hours. Our departure was delayed by about 45 minutes but that was good, the Virgin Gatwick flight was delayed by 24 hours due to a technical issue so those people were going to have to be put up in an hotel, not how you want to end a 2 week cruise. Not much to say about the flight, an older plane than what we left Manchester on and somehow it just felt more cramped and noisy although it was the same model of aircraft. We both mnaged to doze for a while but it was uncomfortable and we had pretty much seen the best films available on the entertainment system.
We never made up the time and we landed just after 07.15, Barbados when we left was 29C, Manchester on arrival was -2C. Because of the work going in at Terminal 2 we couldn't get to a gate so had to be bussed from the plane to the terminal. For some reason the e-gate wouldn't take my passport, perhaps it knew what was going to happen! Our luggage arrived very quickly an we collcted the car no bother from the meet and greet. By this time it was gone 08.00, we decided to stop at M+S in Cheshire Oaks to pick up some stuff, partly because you can park undercover which was essential as it was pouring with rain.
We got home about 09.30. Fiona couldn't keep awake so had a bath and went to bed whilst I unpacked my case and put the first of the washing on and dealt with the backlog of mail.
Before we can go on another holiday I need a new passport as I managed to put mine in with one load of washing! It has dried but the pages are all crinkly with the water damage and so even though the photo page is OK it will get rejected by airlines which are now stricter due to the fines they get. So have filld my forms in and made the payment so it can go in the mail on Monday. It only had 18 months left on it so would have needed replacing this time next year anyway.
Joe
2017-12-16
Welcome home. Enjoyed the blog. It's minus 15 here...