We leave today

For some reason  neither of us slept very well probably anticipating the travel and possible delays of getting to Lisbon. We we re already packed and waited for the Taxi to arrive to conduct us to terminal 5 where we checked in the baggage, you do it yourself today, although the staff that used to do it now stand and watch offer you help if you don't understand the system.

We went to the lounge for about one hour after passing thro security and due to my metal knee had to undergo the fully body search and pat down which is a pain but then again its necessary. We went to the gate in time and then they called forward for boarding ,we thought, only then they kept us standing for about 15 minutes whilst they finished cleaning the aircraft etc before we could actually go down the stairs to the aircraft, quite ridiculous, only BA would do this .

BA is short of aircraft and crews and are leasing aircraft from other carriers and in this respect we went on a FINNAIR Airbus A320 staffed by some Finish ladies who full of smiles and being helpful unlike the last time we flew BA. Its a shame the food was not from Finland as I noticed that a number of people did not like the meal provided except for the salmon and prawn dish of which they ran out of after only a few minutes. The flight left about 30 minutes late but the Captain informed us of strong tail winds and that we would arrive ahead of schedule which we did, just about by 5 minutes. The flight was quite full and I am convinced that they group of Americans in front of us were most likely to be on our or another cruise they way they were taking.

Upon arrival at Lisbon airport we had to go down the stairs, not easy with elderly fold in front of us whilst struggling with bags, and on to a shuttle bus to the immigration hall which was a good 8 minutes ride away, The immigration was divided in to electronic passports, one section for EU and the other for others and the system works quite well except their were only two out of six machines working, brilliant, and then we had to go to another desk where they had to put a stamp in the passport, clearly a union issue here.

Our driver was waiting outside in the arrival hall and shortly afterwards we were caught up in the Lisbon traffic and it took about 35 minutes to reach our destination which was the Hilton Emerald House Curio Hotel where the reception staff were really nice and we checked in to our room. For dinner we had decided to stay in the Hotel and we had a beer and Noel a nice piece of fish and mashed potatoes prepared to avoid garlic, onion etc and Jennifer had a huge bowl of spaghetti Bolognaise which she could not finish.

We spent an hour or so watching television until the eyes gave out and so to bed.