Image: Departing at Austin, a fellow passenger, we struck up conversation when an arrogant first class passenger walked throug the crowd and under the lane marking tape to get on the plane. He walked straight to the desk, but he was sent to join the queue. I laughted aloud and said to the guy in the pic "Don't you just love it when that happens? he said "Yes" and the conversation flowed.  

 

 

27.04.23 – 181:133) Departure Day memories abound,

Things to do before I’m homeward bound call for coffee to bring me round

Get some gas so I’m not without, an’ don’t run out

Burrito would do for breakfast too

How wrong I was because first bite tasted swell

Second didn’t go down too well

Opened the wrapper fully saw the mould, with anger rent

Out of the car window it went. I’m thinkin’ I hope I’ll be alright,

An’ I’ll not get the runs on my homeward flight

 

182:134) To the library, boardin’ passes done, to AWR I run

Always go to say farewell, an’ see which animals have got well

I see the porcupine brought in with mange an’ I’m knowin

It’s gettin’ well it’s quills are growin’

Just one of the many there given love an’ care

An’ I’m thinkin’ how great it’ll be when it’s set free

 

183:135) Headin’ for the airport I feel. It’s time for a meal

An’ as is my wish, find a place that does catfish

Malt vinegar to hand, it’s on it an’ it tastes grand

Really was a delight, then time to go for my flight

Enough gas to get me there with a few miles to spare

Dropped the car off feelin’ somewhat blue

Sayin’ goodbye to Beast 2. Like Beast 1 it was really class

But again a bit too big for the streets of Cas’

 

184:136) At the airport things go great, now it’s wait

Ring family an’ tell things have gone well

So they’re knowin’ an’ I ask how their holiday’s goin’

An’ they say it’s beem nice to get away

I’m sad to be leavin’ but will be glad when, it’s take off at 18:10

On our way an’ I hope my stomach’ll be okay

 

185:137) In the afternoon sun I’m watchin’ traffic run, East on Interstate 71

An' nearer there’s planes bein’ refulled an’ restowed

An’ I’ve just heard that mines on time

So I’m gonna be ready by takin a break from my rhyme

Cos’ it’s only six minutes more to the opening of the aircraft door

 

186:138) Boarding begins, seat found. I’ll be glad when we’re off the ground

Safety instructions give on the run. Then take off the homeward flight has begun

Texas now below, Eastwards we go

Over nine hours in flight, hope my stomach stays alright

Or it’s gonna be an uncomfortable night

 

187:139) Think I’ll get the inflight entertainment goin’

See what it’s showin’ I can see movies, audio, games an’ tv

Gonna try the audio should be something just right

To see me through the night, or it’s gonna be a boring flight

They’ve brought the first meal round, An' I’m enjoyin’ it to a concertina sound

Reminds me of my teens when it was a delight. Dancin’ away in a Ceilidh night

The guy’s playin’ jigs, airs an’ reels

I’m wonderin’ if the passengers would smile if I did one down the aisle

Or maybe gripe if I did a hornpipe

So I close my eyes an’ find, I’m doin’ ‘em in my mind

 

188:140) Now we’re flying through the night

At least we’ve got an individual light an’ I can still write

Cos’ it weren’t no lark the two times I traveled in the dark

Really was a bore, thankfully those planes are no more

 

28.04.23 – 189:141) 3 Hrs 40 mins to go, Atlantic Ocean below

The date now April 28 over halfway home, well Heathrow by right

Plenty of time to rest before my connecting flight

 

190:142) Heathrow getting nearer, sky getting clearer

Day breaking, good progress making

Flown many a mile, soon be in sight of the Emerald Isle

Watching the sunrise and the red hue turn to sky of blue

Daylight and 1 hour 55 minutes left in flight

 

191:143) Just heard the pilot say “Heathrow 40 mins away

Stomach’s lasted the flight, seems alright

Sat Nav lasted the tour, who could ask for more

Other than being safe and sound on the ground

 

192:144) It was “Cabin Crew prepare for landing” no more standing

Then we went into our descent

Touched down safe and sound, to the terminal bound

Get off and make may way to gate area A

Then sit and wait till I know which departure gate

Then alight to take my final flight

 

193:145) Information Board says Gate A21 it’s soon found

We wait, board, bags stored, take off Manchester bound

At last after what seemed an eternity

I’m on the last flight of this years roam

With a taxi waiting to take me, to my Beloved Yorkshire and Home