Day 2776 What’s black and revolting?

22nd March 2025

The day has arrived, nothing about delays on the airline website, so fingers crossed.

I managed a few hours sleep before Nicola and Colin arrived to take me to the bus station.

Some say they only do it just to make sure I leave the country, but I’m sure that not correct. After complaining that there were no custard slices, we headed off for the coach.

Bath was surprisingly busy at four in the morning, not just the travellers, the clubs had turfed out the late night revellers.

The coach driver was sticking to the rules, he emerged from his cab exactly ten minutes before departure, and started to load up the luggage.

Then we climbed abort the Islam express, or so it seemed. The ethnic balance was certainly not equal. The coach started its journey, stopping at various places along the way. I proudly took up two seats, like any proud Englishman would do. 

There was a short stop at Swindon where even more joined, taking up the last available seats.

Then on to Heathrow, all this time the clock in the coach was two hours fast, enough to freak out anyone without a watch.

There is a long walk from the bus station to terminal three. This required two trips in a lift, one of which didn’t move because I was standing in front of the button. There was a lot of pointing and words I didn’t understand, but eventually it got through to me.

As I was traveling Premium Economy I didn’t have to print my own tags and boarding cards. This kept me apart from the plebs.

Once through the improved, much larger screening area I went to have breakfast.

I decided against the full English, not because there were no English people serving, but rather I didn’t want to spoil myself. I chose to have an egg Benedict, what arrived was not what I expected. Sure there was an egg, but it was sat on a piece of toast, with bacon and a foul slab of black pudding!!, it looked bloody disgusting. 

Whatever Eastern European interpretation of an egg benedict this was, should have been consigned to the slop bucket.

I carefully dissected, and extracted the offending invader, placing them on the side of the plate. I noticed that black puddings were served with everything, even the vegetarian menus.

The delays that I anticipated did not materialise, the flight left on time, and arrived in Charlotte early.

The customs person that processed me was friendly, and welcomed me back to the United States.

I had about an hour to wait for my second flight, which is close to the time it took to navigate my way through the remodelling that was taking place.

I found a place to sit and read my book until they called my group number.

Then the dreaded announcement was made, a slight delay due to a problem with the door.

I checked what aircraft it was, and fortunately it wasn’t a Boeing, but Airbus. 

The delay kept getting extended, I wasn’t concerned, “take as long as you need chaps” I thought, the door is an important part of the plane. After a number of engineers went through the tunnel entrance, it was announced the boarding would start.

I think we were delayed by thirty minutes, but Kelli’s smiling face made the long day worthwhile.