And off we go
The travails begin today. I started early, putting my flat to “sleep” prior to departing. My landlord drove me to the train station for the first of two trains and a 4 hour journey to Frankfurt airport. The train union strike had ended the day before, and I’d built in some generous buffers to ensure that I could make my flight even if one of the trains was delayed.
Contrary to expectations, and prior experience, both trains were on-time and I arrived at the airport in good time. I had booked the flight to Gatwick in Lufthansa business class (at the time of booking the price was almost the same as that of a standard ticket). This meant I could use the lounge and I settled back with some free snacks and drinks. A half hour before the flight was scheduled to board I asked the status at the desk and while the official system showed no delay the Lufthansa employee stated that the airplane was still in Hannover – quite far from Frankfurt.
FRA – LGW
The flight made up for lost time and we boarded a mere 30 minutes late and arrived in Gatwick only 15 minutes late. Since I’d deplaned at the front, there was no line at immigration and my new passport worked at the automated entry lane. The only excitement came at the luggage carousel. All of the bags except for one lonely straggler had been picked up and I was alone at the belt. I was debating going to the lost luggage desk when I realized I’d been waiting at the wrong belt. After walking to that belt I picked up the last bag there, mine, and proceeded to walk to my hotel.
I’d made it to the U.K. and only had one flight left before finally being able to bask in the Caribbean sun and get my first sunburn of 2024.