GRUMPY SISTERS' INK

Lovely drive through the goldening countryside, until hitting the expressway and finding our way through the hurley burley of the airport environs. We had strict instructions the wait in the drop off zone as we were handing M's car over to Sarah. Well, we cam under close scrutiny of the airport traffic marshals who reminded us that we were standing and waiting under the sign that said no waiting but we pleaded for a couple more mutes. The family duly turned up on the next bus. We went into the airport and checked our luggage, really committing ourselves to going. There were so any many times that we thought that we wouldn't be going that is was a relief yet scary that we were now on our way. Alas yet again, no upgrade to business or first class! We spent time with the family, Mark came by too to see us off too and soon we had passed under the portals of the passengers this way only corridor and through customs, onwards to gate 16, where we sat down with countless others to wait, and wait, and you guessed it...,wait. For some unknown reason, Emirates had decided to change planes, so all the food containers needed to changed with the plane next door and then crew changed too. Just about an hour late leaving and the sun had gone down on Auckland. Three hours to Sydney in the company of a nice gentleman a frequent flyer, who seemed quite amiable - enough anyway to put up with us. Of course because we were late we were anxious that this lateness did not compound along the way and make us miss any connections. This didn't matter so much in Sydney, as it was the same plane that we go back on, but after the long haul of 18 hours we wondered if our Madrid flight would be a hit or miss. Not that we could do much about that, incarcerated as we were. Sleep was kind to us for a couple of hours, then a string of movies and tv series. We had flown in darkness since Auckland, and the lights were off in the plane, so the other passengers were but shadows passing in the night. Our seats were right at the back close to the toilets, but that was not a bother. And there was no one across the aisle as the was a blank wall. So all in all no so bad, though when the sun finally came up as we neared Dubai, it was enlightening. We were well fed and watered, but we kept an eye on the time, comforting ourselves that the Madrid flight was leaving from the same terminal. That was right, but those of you that have been to or through Dubai will know that the terminals are HUGE. So after a long wait to get off the plane, we got into the transfer area, and, like every other airport stop, my sister set the alarm off. This time she was taken away to a little room and frisked, but emerged only a matter of minutes later, a free woman. 20 minutes to get to Gate A11. Down the escalator along the corridor, down another escalator and onto a train. We were shepherded on by a young man saying go faster go faster. Doors shut, super fast transfer, open doors, across concourse up in a lift, past the wall of water and the fountain, out of the lift, along the corridor, up the stairs, round the corner, 10 minutes to go, need the ladies........phew, made it! As we speed our way to Madrid, below us is the Suez Canal, then a right turn to bring us cruising above the Mediterranean. It is minus 43 outside, but you get that being 33 thousand odd feet up in the sky. Two breakfasts, and a lunch to come, interesting how inaction makes you think about the next meal! So what adventures await us in Madrid. We have had the phrase book out and done some practice, we know how to ask for the toilet, and a cup of coffee and a glass of wine, so we are set. w