Off we go!

Here we go, here we go, here we go!

6.00am and we're up and getting ready. Bags packed, dog gone on holiday and we're waiting for Lisa to take us to the airport at 8.30am. Les has already been to the loo (not a sign of nerves).

8.30am, no sign of Lisa. Probably stuck in traffic, we're hoping not for long.

8.45am, still no Lisa, not to worry, we've still got time. Les needs the loo (might be nerves).

8.55am and Lisa arrives, all is well with the world and after loading the car off we go. Lisa does a great job of getting us to terminal 3 despite not knowing the route and having to be reminded to stop for red lights (although to be fair it was only the once!).

So after hugs, kisses and goodbyes, it's into the departure terminal and to the Quantas desk. We were met by a very pleasant and smart young man who asked if we were booking in. He then took us to a machine to do auto booking in. For some reason it recognised Les and allowed him to book in. It also showed Jen and Calum but wouldn't let us book them in. "No problem" said the nice young man "We'll go to the luggage desk and you can book in there".

Off to the desk we go and try to deposit our luggage, very nice man behind the desk "I can't find your booking, the computer says you've cancelled your tickets, have you cancelled at some point?". Now, it might have been a clue to most people, but us being at the airport with a load of luggage indicates that to be very unlikely. Anyway it does recognise Les but not Jen and Calum, but says the ticket numbers are cancelled. He suggests we go to the BA ticket desk around the corner as they deal with the Quantas tickets.

A very nice lady behind the desk asks if she can help. The story is explained: "No problem" she says in a cheery voice "I'll look it up and we'll get it sorted" she taps at the computer "Oh, it says here you've cancelled your tickets, did you cancel them?" I'm beginning to think I'm the one going mad, maybe lots of people go to the airport with luggage and passports etc with no intention of going anywhere! "No" we say. "I'll have to get onto your agent" she says, and she's told it was Trailfinders in Brighton. "Does this mean we can't fly today?" asks Jen, the tears beginning to well in her eyes, the nice lady does the politician thing and doesn't answer the question "I'll give them a call and see if I can find out what's happened". She makes the call. We see her writing down numbers on our copy of the itinerary and then she comes off the phone. "For some reason they were cancelled but take these numbers to the Quantas desk and you should be able to book in.

Back to the Quantas desk to book in. Hurrah, the numbers work and we're booked in. Les needs the loo (almost certainly nerves)!

Through security and into the departure lounge. Time for a quick tea and a coffee and then off to gate 1 where we see the Quantas Airbus 380. The biggest passenger aircraft we've ever seen!

Show boarding passes and into the gate area waiting to board.
Announcement: "There is a slight delay in boarding due to a medical emergency"
No problem, flights not due until 12.05pm and it's only 11.30am.
Announcement: "We apologise for the continued delay in boarding, this is due to a medical emergency"
No problem, flights not due until 12.05pm and it's only 11.45am.
Announcement: "We apologise for the continued delay in boarding, we hope to have the problem rectified shortly, this is due to a medical emergency"
Now, owing to the fact it's 12.00pm and the flights due to take off at 12.05pm and no one has boarded, you kind of know that we are going to be late taking off! More alarming is the fact that we only stop for an hour in Singapore and have to change planes. This might make us really late. But wait, what's this? It's only London Ambulance Services finest to the rescue! Well actually it's a slightly portly female paramedic on a mountain bike cycling through the departure lounge and onto the plane.
12.10pm and we board the plane. 12.55pm and we're in the air.
Announcement: "This is your Captain speaking, welcome aboard. We are running late but conditions are looking good and we should have no problem making up the lost time, we hope you have a good flight".

Once again, all is well with the world.

Les really needs the loo!



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