I leave the island...

So today was the day... a packed hand luggage could only mean one thing, I was off to the UK for my nephew's wedding.

I haven't ventured off the island for nearly 4 years so I must own up to a bit of apprehension particularly with passport control being a pre-Brexit resident.

John was having 2 trips to the airport today as the Clan were due to fly later today but too late for us all to go together and John wouldn't have even able to fit us all in with luggage too.

I was happy to go early and plonk myself somewhere with my book but not vegore we had called in to see Mum.  Whilst we were sat at hers we hot a text from Jet2 warning of potential queues at Paphos airport.  They were not wrong!  I duly joined the end of the queue which was snaking around the departures and arrivals area.  It moved reasonably quickly and I wondered whether this was a knock on effect from the horrendous situation unfolding in Israel and Palestine with people either fleeing the conflict or returning to be with loved ones.

By the time I had got through, picked up a bottle of gin for Kaye and settled near an information board it had been an hour since arrival.

The incoming flight arrived early and we were quickly boarded and ready to go even though the captain warned that we might be delayed.

Right up until the last minute my row (10) only had me in it but eventually a man and his wife filled the empty seats.  He told me that he had passed put on the incoming flight last week and spent 2 hours laid put in the aisle.  I think he was just warning me in case he keeled over again which thankfully he did not.

The flight was uneventful.  I was grateful for the extortionately priced chicken and ham panini I had picked up at the airport and for the book I had pinched from Jackie which helped while away 4 of the 5 hours in the air.

We landed on time and Kaye and I eventually found one another in the drizzle.  It wasn't cold though and once in the house and unpacked I was rather looking forward to my bed.