By all rights we shouldn't be here, but we are and that's a bonus. It is now 9-30pm in Athens and we are just setting out for dinner up the road from our apartment. I'm sure everyone recognises the Greek national flag with the symbol of Eastern Orthodoxy enshrined in the top left canton. This particular flag is flying above the Hellenic Parliament ("a handsome building full of fools") above Syntagma square from which the final stage of our journey began. This was just two stops on the metro but a minidrama on its own.
Now I better explain some of this. When we were still stuck in a traffic jam at 5-10am and our gate closes for our 6-00am flight at 5-20 I was desperately thinking of rescue plans which didn't really exist. Only one thing could possibly rescue this holiday.
We left in plenty of time to get to the parking 2 and a half hours ahead of departure time. You may know that the A1 and A1M are currently undergoing major reconstruction particularly in the middle of the night. This results in several lengthy and circuitous diversions (we went via Papworth to get to Luton). We didn't! Nor did we know that roadworks around Luton airport were resulting in gridlock, especially at 5am.
When we eventually got into the airport giving us less than ten minutes to check the luggage in, get through security and find departure gate. We checked the gate number only to read Wizzair flight to Athens delayed till 8am. God bless the striking Greek air traffic controllers, may they win all their demands.
The two hours delay not only saved the holiday but allowed us to eat breakfast. The next delay while we were sitting in the plane for two hours, however was not so welcome. The incident on the metro that I referred to earlier started with a chap helping me on to train with the heavy case, meanwhile I felt someone trying to get into my back pocket. It was the old three card trick. The distraction, the lift and the move on. The three of them alighted at the next stop while before that I spent the time glaring at the apparently pregnant young lifter. She clearly needs more practise.
We eventually got to our apartment at 8pm to be greeted by a patient Kostas who introduced us to the place. Have a look yourselves.
The view of the flat from the balcony doorway.
Helen having a libation whilst planning when she can have her next sleep.
It will probably be here.
Average Booking.com score for last year (out of 10)
When we eventually got into the airport giving us less than ten minutes to check the luggage in, get through security and find departure gate. We checked the gate number only to read Wizzair flight to Athens delayed till 8am. God bless the striking Greek air traffic controllers, may they win all their demands.
The two hours delay not only saved the holiday but allowed us to eat breakfast. The next delay while we were sitting in the plane for two hours, however was not so welcome. The incident on the metro that I referred to earlier started with a chap helping me on to train with the heavy case, meanwhile I felt someone trying to get into my back pocket. It was the old three card trick. The distraction, the lift and the move on. The three of them alighted at the next stop while before that I spent the time glaring at the apparently pregnant young lifter. She clearly needs more practise.
We eventually got to our apartment at 8pm to be greeted by a patient Kostas who introduced us to the place. Have a look yourselves.
The view of the flat from the balcony doorway.
Helen having a libation whilst planning when she can have her next sleep.
It will probably be here.
When she has finished doing the washing up.
Average Booking.com score for last year (out of 10)
