The long way back from Paradise

It's that bonus day for leap year 2020, so a good time to round off the month with the rather mundane account of Greyrocks' travel back from Goa to Home in the Canaries on 13th-14th February.
We left our accommodation at 12.30 am and were soon at Dabolim airport wrestling with the txi driver's change, but then had no significant queuing issues at any of the potential logjams of Terminal entry. Check -in , Immigration and Security, with the result that we had an age to spare before boarding, in departure lounge that is comfortable enough, but "dry"! The flight was full, and we had not been able to select seats, so we ended up with Ruth at the window, Bob in the middle and an American woman with a 15-month old child onand off her lap, and no adult assistance! The child did not sleep until the last half-hour and Bob was being driven senseless by all aspects of the behaviour! This was not helped by his video screen being non-functioning, and a very poor breakfast! (Ruth managed to watch a film of some sort!) Flight time:4 hours 20 min Time Difference -2 hours 30 mins.
Arrival in Doha could not happen soon enough! We were sped through Transfer security and then into the cavernous departure lounge. On our outward journey we had thought to remember the location of the signaled source of wine for table consumption, but had forgotten, so there was some confused wandering, followed by a very nice bottle in civilised  surroundings until close to boarding! This was at 7.50 am local time - but the hour on the clock matters very little in these circumstances and Bob was very stressed! (There were many, many face-masks in evidence as te virus took hold!0

Fortunately the second flight was more agreeable! We had selected two aisle seats, and after some faffing by the group surrounding Bob and with a small child we were able to share the three seats, and had full access to films etc. The day's second Qatar breakfast was better and some wine flowed. There was very little turbulence and it was almost pleasant, with a bit of sleep! Flight time:7 hours time Difference -2 hours,


The temperature given for Barcelona from the flight deck was not too good, but Ruth decided to stick with cropped trousers and sandals and that was tolerable for the time were outside. This was not long as we rang the hotel for an ETA for the next shuttle and had a beer whilst waitng, and it did turn up only a shade late. We checked in and went to the neighbouring supermarket to buy a few bottles of French wine (this being Catalunya!) to take home, We then revisited Iberica that we had discovered in December.and had a very pleasant early supper.

Next day it was a routine to which we have become accustomed, involving the 1030 flight to Fuerteventura. This was nearly full, but one of the better flights, and Dave was waiting at the airport.so that we were chez nous by 2 pm local!  This was roughly 43 hours of elapsed time- including the overnight hotel stay!