Our flight to Gran Canaria was at 1.30pm. I tried to time the valet parking and the airport lounge right when I booked it all of those months ago.
We left home at around 8am as planned (the usual pre holiday stress petering out, but not quite gone). The roads were clear and there were no dramas getting to the valet parking, well there was one, half way up the ramp in the multi story car park at the airport, was an abandoned car – engine running, lights on – we waited for a few minutes and I eventually got out of the car, just as a young person came running back to their car, following several cars tooting their horns. We parked up and made our way to the bag drop. (We had already checked in the other day, so no need to do that).
We reached the self service bag drop, but unfortunately, as Laura’s bag (and mine, full of Laura’s extra bits 😂) were over 23Kg we had to see the person behind the desk. No problems, just a heavy bag sticker on both mine and Laura’s suitcase. Oh I didn’t mention, this holiday Adam is back with us again – Yay, his bag was very light though…
Straight through security, although I was stopped as I left my kindle in my hand luggage, and off to the lounge – No.1 Lounge at Gatwick this time, and we are so thankful for it. We swapped seats a couple of times until we had a nice window seat. We had some breakfast and a few drinks (only one round was alcoholic) and waited in the relative luxury and quiet of the lounge.
We were due to go to the gate at 12.40, but the gate information wasn’t showing… we’ve been delayed, and the gate information was due at 13.20, so we waited, had another drink, and some more food (Cream Tea this time).
At 13.20 we got the gate information and headed off, with a brief stop for me to get a water bottle, and some water. Off to the gate.. the back rows plus parents with children first… we took a chance and joined the end of that queue, we were in row 4, but anxious to get on to get our sleep apnea machines secured in the over head lockers. Then we waited – because we late, our slot had gone, so we had to wait another hour before we took off…
The flight, for the most part was uneventful if uncomfortable. We got extra legroom seats, but it’s still not designed for people of mine and Adam’s stature. We had (more) food… but that didn’t sit right with me.. well my stomach complained at lot… I had to go…. Not a scenario you want on a plane, and not a great experience… I made it – just…
Now the coaches used for the transfers to the hotel have a number of stops… ours was bus number 54 and we were the last stop – but we were first on… I said we should get the back row for the leg room, which we did. Then a couple came on after us, and the guy was 6’7” – ah well we got here first.
We finally got to the hotel about an hour later, it was around 9pm and were second to check-in. The final stress of the holiday booking was about to be tested. We’d paid for the premium package and asked on the form, and I’d rang TUI, for a low level room as Laura is now afraid of heights. Prior to the holiday I was informed that for an extra €10 per night, I could select a room, but the lowest floor they had for that was the second floor… Jeopardy… Stress… Anxiety… do we book it or do we take a chance that the TUI person I spoke to was going to do what they said…
Well the room number on the card was 1010 – oh no… not the 10th floor – right time to bring myself to my full height and width, and politely ask if we got the low level room we’d asked for. “Yes Mr Frost, 1st floor room 10” – Woohoo 😄🥳 amazing… the first floor is actually the ground floor where we were last year, and 10 rooms along.. not a garden room, but a lovely room with a bed made up for Adam, and an amazing view over the sea – The final holiday stress resolved… now time to relax.
