Flights of fancy

OK, So I'm back in Canada after what seems, ooh, at least a week, maybe even 8 days....it's all the same, I'm in Lindsay's old room, directly underneath the one I had before....it's all tidy at the moment though so maybe I'll keep it that way, seeing as

a) I have less stuff and
b) I'm not here so long

Anyway, I thought I'd take this opportunity to talk about my flights to and from here so far (not that there's much to talk about)

So, coming here first time was OK, checked in OK, went through security OK, got here OK but then had to talk to about 3 or 4 different people about why I was here, who I was working for, why I was going to be here so long, where I was staying, where I was working etc. etc. After this I was waiting by the carousel for my luggage to come off when I saw what I thought was my bag, but actually some guy had the same one, in fact he had two, and both of his came off first and then he left. I was so hoping he hadn't taken the wrong bag and I would have ended up with his wife's or something. Now I'm sure I would have looked good in a skirt and high heels (I reckon I did before) but it's not really the look I was going for at my first day here. So I was very happy when a third bag came down and it was mine.

I do actually always get a bit panicky at baggage reclaim, thinking about what I would do if my luggage didn't come down, which was accentuated in Mexico when our luggage didn't come down, for a very long time, when no other luggage had appeared for at least 5 minutes, maybe even 10. We had heard a few horror stories about there so we thought our stuff had been stolen, or lost in Madrid at the changeover, but luckliy it was just on another trolley cart that had been out joyriding or something. On the flip side though, we have been places where our luggage has been first out so I guess it's the luck of the draw.

My flight home last week, however, was a little different (being 5 days or so after the arrests in London). Check in was a little bit exaggerated as I'm guessing people kept asking the same questions, you know, what can I take on, why can't I take this huge bag as hand luggage etc. Luckily I was prepared to check both my bags so that was OK. Not much to do in Toronto departure lounge (although luckily I had my laptop with Football Manager installed). On the plane though, I had a great seat at the front of a row, so I had lots of leg room (because I need it) and also didn't have to worry about the seat in front of me leaning back during dinner, or if I wanted to play with my laptop. However, the service left a bit to be desired, as they kind of forgot to serve me dinner, until after everybody had been served and I had to flag an attendant down. And then when I got the food I didn't have any cutlery (a couple of guys had some spare spoons but I politely declined) so I had to wait a bit longer until I got some. In the meantime they had been to clear everybody else's trays. Then, about half hour before we were due to land, I got covered in water from above. I'm guessing it was condensation or from the air con, but I can tell you I certainly wasn't expecting it. In Heathrow it was OK, although I think the facilities in Toronto are a bit nicer (but then again Heathrow was better than Mexico so, you know).

So coming back today, check in wasn't too bad, getting through security was the harder part. It took about half an hour and I had to take off my trainers as well which was a bit weird, but at least I didn't set the buzzer off this time like I had the first time because I forgot to put my phone in the tray. Flight was OK this time (front row seats again), no major mishaps, and immigration I went straight through without having to deal with the same question again and again. into my taxi, into the hotel and here I am....

I still have to update you all with pictures and descriptions of things that happened during my last trip. I'll get on that as soon as I can. I might have less pictures this time as the charger for the battery is still in England, oh well...