Round The World and other travels

As if arriving half an our early wasn't enough, both Bruce - a US citizen - and I were able to walk straight up to our respective immigration agents and complete the process in a matter of seconds. Astounding! We made our way to the BA Arrivals Lounge in the Sofitel and, as we were allocated our shower rooms, realised that we'd better say our farewells at this point, as Bruce would be heading for Heathrow as quickly as possible after freshening up.

After my shower, I had a light breakfast and spent some time catching up with my e-mails and other goings-on in Cyberspace. After all that, I went airside and took up residence in the First lounge, where I read the Sunday papers and had one of the celebrated bacon rolls. Eventually, it was time to head for the domestic gates.

The allocation of an A319, and then that abandoned approach, had made my routine shuttle flight a little more interesting than usual! Unfortunately, the luggage took forever to appear, but eventually I made my way out to the car park pick-up point in very pleasant and warm sunshine. I didn't have too much of a wait and was soon aboard my own car and heading for home. My cold had entered a new (and thankfully, final) phase and I spent an alarming proportion of the journey coughing violently. As I was going to stop for some groceries anyway, I made sure I picked up a cough remedy from the pharmacy before completing the final part of the journey.

So another huge trip, or combination of trips if you insist, was at an end - one that had taken me overland through France, then hopping around various parts of the Middle East and finally relaxing in comfort in the Caribbean with a good friend for company. Another kaleidoscope of memories to savour for a very long time