The Solo Journey Begins (Sally) - 29 June

Andy gave me a lift to East Midlands Airport. Plenty of time allowed.

Straight through security. I wondered if they would query the bicycle pump. Once again whilst walking through the alarm, it beeped. So once again I had to stand in the body scanner.

Since I had time to spare, I had a look at the restaurant food on offer, nothing took my fancy. I settled for a Co-Op meal deal - falafel wrap, crisps and a soft drink. Only seemed to have crisps as the snack option. Earl Shilton Co-Op gives you a choice of olives, carrots with hummus and numerous other snacks.

Bit bored so I had a look around the various (not numerous) stores. This is EMA and not Heathrow or Gatwick.

Boarded the flight and away. Whoosh! I bought a bottle of water, overpriced, and it wasn’t until I had just left the plane that I realised they hadn’t come back with my change. Luckily it was only two euro. I wonder how much they “make” on these flights?

Anyway, I digress. Quick off the plane, seat 2C. Fast through Passport Control and rush outside to get a taxi. No taxis waiting, so I thought wait a while and see if one turns up - no. I ‘phoned the taxi service and was waiting for an answer, when my wonderful daughter ‘phoned and I had to ignore her. Sorry Natasha. Just as I got through to the English speaking secretary (taxi driver called her this) and I was hoping to practice my French a group of rowdy Englishmen walked by. I didn’t know for sure if a taxi was coming. I waited 20 minutes and decided to ring again. The lady on the end of the line reassured me that one was on its way. What seemed like an eternity the taxi arrived. By this time the airport seemed abandoned and I read that it closes at 17:30 on a Saturday.

I managed to practice my limited French by helping a lady ask the driver if he could order them a taxi. He said the secretary spoke good English!

Whilst in the taxi I managed to speak about the weather and ask him if he lived in Limoges.

The main railway station is quite impressive from the front. Inside it seems like one huge foyer. Having been to this station before, I knew where to get my ticket from. At first I thought it was closed. Ticket bought, I had forty minutes to kill. Went to the newsagents and bought a bottle of orange juice for breakfast.

After validating my ticket I went and waited for the bus. No train service for a hour and this turned out better because it dropped me off nearer to home.

Whilst walking the leg of my journey I could hear some sort of celebration. If wasn’t for the fact that I was so tired I would have investigated. The celebration went on until four in the morning. I know this because it seemed to stop after the church bells struck four.

I do not know if they had live bands, but they were bloody loud. I heard a cover of Wonderwall at some point. It seemed mostly Europop of the David Guetta type.

The temperature on Saturday hit 40 degrees and didn’t seem to cool at all.

Once again, I have gone off at a tangent. I opened the door, shouted “bonjour”, just so I felt more at home, turned on the electricity, went down into the dreaded cellar and turned the water on.

After taking the dust sheets of the furniture I did a little cleaning. By this time I didn’t feel like eating, so I sat down for a while, drank copious amount of water and after saying good night to Andy, I went upstairs to cook! As in I felt over hot and couldn’t cool down.