An unexpected return to Blighty - 26 October 2020 No3

This has been a very strange wedding anniversary.  So much of it has been spent flying between Brize Norton and Dakar sat in seat K31.  Whether through Covid or just a low load factor I have had seat H31 alongside me vacant.  I’ve turned it into a personal dumping ground for gadgets and my neck pillow.  This has helped me pass the time.  I’ve been occupying a very small space for close on 18 hours as I write.  It’s not been too uncomfortable.  A bit of stiffness in one knee appears to be the worst of it for now and sore ears from wearing various forms of face covering.  I’ve learnt the hard way that a snood covering is kinder on your ears!

Comfort at 40,000 ft

It appears most of us travelling alone have spare seats alongside us.  Some people have been fortunate to have the central row of four seats all to themselves.  That arrangement has allowed some of them to lie down to sleep - although that didn’t look particularly comfortable.  I’ve had a few hours of fitful sleep largely sat upright.

According the telemetry we’ve been flying at 40,000 feet - the highest I’ve ever been.  Closer to outer space than ever before.  As a ‘child of Apollo’ space flight has always held a deep fascination for me.  It was feeling my unshaven face -  hidden beneath my Covid snood - that made me think of space capsules.  At 6’2” tall I’m toot tall to fit in a Soyuz capsule - but a trip on Space X’s Dragon could be possible - hint Elon Musk!  Today has made me realise I could manage to live life sat in a capsule for a day or so - I’d even offer to suffer discomfort crammed into a Soyuz if the journey was fast - such as they achieved last week with their 3 hour ride to the International Space Station.  It’s a shame that we can’t get to the Falklands as fast or reliably! 

The cabin crew have been excellent, truly helpful and attentive throughout today’s odyssey.  I’ve lost count of the number of meals, drinks and snacks I’ve had.  Whilst I’m closer to the tail than I’m used to when flying - and the flight is alcohol free - the service has been first rate.  I’m also intrigued how the food provided has been evidently ‘low residue’ - another amusing link to space flight!

As at 18:18 - and we’re on the approach to Brize Norton (somewhere I hadn’t expected to see again for many, many months) - we still don’t know the plan for getting us to the Falklands.  Will we be turned round to head out again at 01:10 on 27 October?  That could be gruelling.  I’ve a few batteries and gadgets I need to recharge (although to be fair I’ve so many toys and batteries with me I could cope if we have a rapid turn round).  I would like a shave, a shower and a change of clothes.  However I don’t need the full CWS ritual so beloved of my grandfather as part of his morning’s ablutions!

Late update - flight officially scrubbed.  We’re all going to have to be re-booked on a later flight.