"When you gotta go...."

 Reviewing the last post Greyrocks has just noticed that the presaged account of our "odyssey" from safe island to safe island, which happened over a fortnight ago, has not been released to the expectant world! The reason is probably senility and it can only get worse! 

Here it is:

We stayed in Paleo rather later than usual to use all of the one hundred nights which is the deal we have for the apartment, but we had no return flight arrangement. The original plan had been to fly from Heraklion to Montpellier, so once that had been abandoned (and refunded:- see last post) all options - including extending our staying - were open. Greece banned flights to and from Catalunya, so Barca was out. Reversing the outward journey would mean overnighting in Madrid, which seemed to be dicing with death, so we homed in on Italy, There was a possible two-stage route via Bergamo with an overnight stay, but it disappeared before we could commit; or there was a three-stage route via Athens and Milan that could be done in one very long day. This remained under consideration for several days, but was very expensive and hardly restful! Then Ruth bit the bullet and investigated Ryanair again without the agreed constraint of "We are not going anywhere near the UK!"

This led to the itinerary we actually did use:

Flight 1 - Chania to Stansted was possible on 12th or 19th October. Fearing that the final flight might be cancelled we went for the 12th. The basic cost was EUR 20 per head. At the airport there were just a half dozen flights for the afternoon and evening - several domestic! It was less than half-full and we each had a row of three seats. It arrived early, and we had a very long walk to passport control. The outdoor bit was extremely cold. Bob was still in shorts. Ruth had a heavy fleece and was wearing socks and closed shoes for the first time since required for gym and physiotherapy a year previously! We had our QR codes ready and were directed to a side passport e-gate avoiding the very small queue. Was it the grey hair? And that was it! No-one checked that we had the codes, and no-one knew we had come from Crete and so were subject - for the 12 hours we would be in UK - to self-isolation rules. At the reclaim belt there was one bag other than hours.

Overnight - There was no real choice about accommodation given our status, fear of transport and the very early morning departure flight. Prices were very low and we were offered an "upgrade" to a room with a runway view. The weather was filthy for the short walk, but the room was very comfortable (within Covid procedure). We saw more staff than guests during our stay and the catering was adequate but much reduced. We managed some British beer and fish and chips. We were up by 3.30 am and walked back through drizzle to check in. 

Flight 2 - This cost (without baggage) GBP 10 each! There was quite a list of flights going out early and ours was the second. The common check-in queue was substantial and barely socially distanced. It wasn't helped by the verification that adequate documentation was held for the destination, and what had to happen if it wasn't! the departure lounge was very busy and no catering was open until just before our (far distant) gate was announced. The flight had 48 passengers in all, was well-managed, and - of course - we had plenty of space! A slight delay at Passport Control as those ahead of us were Aussies, and then health control! Our QR codes were registered, and we approached the white-clad medics. Nothing! Not even a temperature check! We were in!