Time was, getting out of Berlin was difficult, if you didn’t have friends in the right places. On this occasion the taxi provided by the hotel was there waiting for us and the time of day was favourable with all the traffic heading in to the city with deskbound commuters, chains rattling behind their Volkswagens as they stopped and started into town. Bag drop was quick. Why wouldn’t you check in online beforehand?
Security was interesting. I suppose Fast Track must have made a difference but it didn’t feel like it and then, typically, my hand luggage was taken to one side for further investigation. I’d left a small pot of jam in it. Doh. It wasn’t particularly liquid but I’d forgotten it was there. I only whipped it because it was apricot and mango which I’d never heard of let alone tried so figured I’d give it a go. Had to wait for it to pass through the scanner again.
The cashier at the duty free asked what I thought of identity cards being considered for use in the UK. I should have told her to mind her own business but I said I didn’t mind. Turned out she was a conspiracy theorist. Moved on quickly.
The walk to the lounge was a bit of a hike. Until I discovered the moving walkway on the other side of the wall. Kept looking around to see where passport control was but it was nowhere in sight. It looked like we had an even longer hike to the gate. Then the guy in the lounge informed us that all we had to do was walk through those doors over there and we would be right at the front of the queue for passport control and the gate was directly after it. Result.
Looks as if there might be a delay to the flight which is a mild irritation but we are comfortable enough where we are sat. The biggest issue is the twelve twenty five planned arrival time at LCY versus the fourteen oh six direct train departure from Kings Cross. We bought flexible tix just in case. I’ll keep you posted obvs. In the meantime I have a book…
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Farewell to the friendly frauleins of Friedrichstrasse.
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Miracles do happen. Plane arrived on time and our bag was first through on the baggage carousel. Priority tags do sometimes work. THG had just said “It’ll probably take ages” to which I responded “no it will be the first through” and lo… It’s all about attitude innit.
Only negative is that the retractable handle on my red suitcase is knacked. Doesn’t mean it has no further use but the suitcase will certainly be replaced for the next jaunt. It’s seen plenty of action in its twenty or so years of service. Doesn’t owe us anything. The new purchase won’t be for a while now as we have no big trips planned before my next hip hop at the end of October. Christmas maybs.
Nice to be back in the U U U K anyway. Train is rammed. We have seats E11 and E12. E13 and E14 were unreserved so I sat opposite THG in the latter. Was just settling down when some bloke in a 3 piece suit rocked up and stared at the seat. Turned out he had just bought the ticket and accompanying seat reservation. No problemo. I moved. Then someone else arrived to claim the fourth seat so now on our table that is a perfect size for two we have the full complement of four bums on seats. First world problems.
Bought a couple of bots of Tanqueray export strength gin at the Berlin duty free. 47% instead of the usual 43. Twenty five quid a bottle. Same price as the coop or perhaps tesco but a bit more kick.
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Given up on the Dissolution of the Monasteries book btw. It was so detailed it was getting repetitive. I got the gist.