Got to Heathrow a little after 2pm. Checked in and passed the security grilling. Am now 'airside' in the airport terminal - sat with a cappuccino in the internet cafe - writing these words. Flight leaves just after 5pm - about another hour.
Cx was on time this morning (a first!) she brought her kids with her, a good move - they always cheer me up. We loaded my bag into the boot of her car and then drove down the road to my mom's to drop off my keys. She was in tears as I said goodbye to her, I gave her a hug and walked back down the garden path, turned, gave her a wave and jumped into Cx's car before I too burst into tears.
We had quarter of an hour to spare at the station, Cx had brought a bottle of Champagne with her, so we stood there on the platform in the weak late autumn sunshine - her kids running around our feet, while we sipped the bubbly stuff from flutes and made small talk. Cx made an excuse that she had to drive home, so she made me finish the bottle off, nerves were beginning to calm now! Train arrived on time (mild shock!) and we said our goodbyes. The kids gave me a hug, and when she thought they weren't looking, Cx gave me a gentle kiss. Time to go.
The first part of the journey I must have done a thousands times; Worle, Yatton, Nailsea and Backwell - the route I used to take every day on my way to work for a penison company in Bristol ... Hey! No more working for the man! Although in my case it was a woman, a tall willowy blonde called Jan - a total selfish bitch, who needs to learn who her friends are/were - she dumped on them really badly, 2 lovely sweet girls. At Bristol, quite a few footie fans joined the train - most were drinking cans of Carling Black Label - but some were drinking alcohol, not knats piss. I sat quietly in a corner seat reading and glancing up now and then to watch the passing scene. At Reading it was onto a bus and down the M4 to Heathrow, one of the most depressing places on the face of the earth. Did the check in thing, wandered around and bought a guidebook to Jordan to read on the flight, eventually wound up here in the Java Cafe.
Going to the departure lounge now, want to stop on the way and get a bottle of Bourbon and might buy some ciggies to hand around to guides and locals as sweeteners. Feeling much more relaxed now - this is what I do!. It's good to be travelling again.
Delx