Well, we made it back home OK!
Our flight from CT to JNB should have been at 18.30. We know it is hopeless (traffic wise) to leave the journey to the airport (20 mins only) because the rush hour can see the motorway completely stop, especially if there is an accident. Consequently we left just before 15.30 and although the road was pretty busy and slow in places we still made it pretty easily. Dropped the car off, got a buggy ride to the terminal - well it was 32c - checked in and got through security very quickly. Then we learned that the flight was 15 mins delayed which soon became 30 and then 45. This meant that the stopover window in JNB was getting a bit narrow! Fortunately, our luggage had been checked through to LHR so that would speed things up.
On arrival in JNB we were bussed back to the terminal which takes time! Then we had to walk to the International terminal (which is not signposted), then find a Virgin check in desk to get our boarding passes, then go through security and then through passport control and then walk to the departure gate. This all had to be accomplished in less than an hour!
One of our group, who shall be nameless, began to panic and rush everywhere at mega top speed! Andy, on the other hand remained calm - especially once we had the boarding pass - since they would want us because they had already got our luggage (hopefully). Anyway, in the event we arrived at the gate just as the flight was being called so there had been no need to panic. Lin was able to calm down with a glass of fizz once on board.
The Captain proudly announced that we were ready to depart a few minutes early and the push back commenced. And then stopped. And the pull back to the stand began! The Captain apologised and said it had been necessary to return because (and he didn’t know why this had happened) but we had ‘forgotten’ someone!! In either case we would have to pick them up or remove their bags so he chose the former.
A bit of excitement on the flight when one passenger was taken ill, possibly with a minor stroke. There was a doctor on board and she was given oxygen. They decided she would last to LHR and arranged for paramedics to meet the plane on arrival. All passengers were asked to stay in their seats until she was taken off. So we sat there patiently for 10 minutes until the message came through that the paramedics were at least 5 minutes away still so they let us get off!
Lin steered us to the luggage carousel where we stood until Andy listened to an announcement which said our luggage was on no. 4 - not no. 2! Within a few minutes both bags came round together proving that all had worked well!
So that’s it for another holiday! I have decided I won’t do the disconnected Jottings as they are probably the same as last time!
So it’s a final goodbye from me and a final goodbye from her! Until the next time ...
A&L