In hot, tropical place for half term Last night at major, London airport where the place heaved and throbbed with families hell bent on quitting freezing UK.
Many had skis in bags and strapped to the side of suitcases and snowboards. I was reminded it is THE big skiing holiday of the year.
Apparently, the ski slopes are suffering a dirth of snow this year due to global warming? That did not seem to deter the world, his wife, and their young children who swarmed about the smart hotels and bars chattering excitedly ..
Flew out today and as ever, despite the most careful attention to placing liquids in my hand luggage into plastic bags, I was busted and had to be filtered off into a special search queue This time the woman stared at the scanner screen and then into my bag and back and forth for dome time before dipping into my make up bag.
She emerged triumphant, and raised aloft an ancient, dessicated mascara wand, used to remove clumps.
See, there is no liquid in it. I wanted to say.
What a waste of time. From there to duty free shopping and breakfast at Pret a Manger. What delicious food when you are starving and have risen at a truly ungodly hour.
But oh! the crowds. An utter, full on bunfight of people queuing 2 deep to just view the sandwiches, members of staff frantically trying to refill shelves and shouts of “Latte” and “Mocha” from behind the counter.
Above all the holiday made me think of family trips in the past. Sad really. When we all could be persuaded to holiday together And when the children were young enough to need pushchairs bag tagged and folder onto the carousel.
How very quickly it all goes by. On this trip I am in “Madre soltera” mode. Living in the moment with delightful middle ewe lamb There will be no phone calls made to home, no photos sent. No communications about “Did you arrive safely?” Or “How is the food?” Splendid isolation?.
The River Files 