Monday 14th Feb - Under Way

Time to go. Everything that we need is packed (we hope!) Both of us woke up in the middle of the night remember things we that we had previously forgotten. Our resolution to pack light means that we are about 20 kilos lighter than our last big trip. I just hope that R doesn't regret not packing a ball gown this time. A quick scan of the news from Darjeeling on the net tells us that they are now into day 6 of a total shutdown. Goody.

The car arrives a few minutes early in the pouring rain so we wave cheerio to our younger daughter who can't wait for five weeks unrestricted use of her mother's car. The driver tells us that there has been snow on the M8 so we take the scenic route via Cumbernauld to the airport. We sail through check in and take up residence in the lounge. At 11.00 a.m. the flight is predicted to leave 10 minutes late at 13.15. At 17.00 we still don't know if the flight will leave today - a sensor is faulty and they are having to fly one up from Heathrow. Some of the punters are getting a bit cross but the Emirates staff do a decent job of informing us and cough for a £20 lunch voucher.

We board eventually and are airborne by 19.30. R extracts her revenge by attempting to drink all of the champagne on board. Even she has had enough when they attempt to refill her glass for the 4th time. The food is excellent and we watch the first half of Young Frankenstein, before getting our heads down.