Anyway, back to the trip. The criteria was a few days away from a local airport (so either CWL or BRS).Mr DL fancied Poland but as I went there many many years ago (Cold War era) and fancied something slightly warmer, we settled on Madrid.
Dragonbaby is currently grounded (probably forever,) so had a face like a smacked backside at the prospect of spending 4 days in the scintilating company of her parents. The journey to BRS was uneventful (having found MR DLs elusive passport in the nick of time)and we arrived at the terminal with 15 mins to spare before check in closed.
BRS has improved significantly in the past few years (I was last there in January), and is now quite a pleasant provincial airport.Check in was a doddle- 2 bags to go in the hold and boarding cards in hand we proceeded through a deserted security and into a busy departures lounge. The whole process took less than five minutes and was painless.Boarding was called about 15 minutes later and as wed arrived so late and I was too mean to pay for priority boarding we were almost last to board ( there was one bloke behind us [:D]) as the queue had formed before we even got in to the departures area.
Consequently, we were seated separately with MR DL being in 1E, DB in 4F and me in 7F. I hate it when people sit in the D and E sats and then glare at you when you ask to sit in the empty window seat [V].
The Captain announced an almost full flight and we pushed back almost on time.The runway at BRS is on a reasonable incline and our Airbus thundered up the runway and once through the clouds we were greeted with bright sunshine.
Easyjet do get a bit of a bashing and I havent travelled with them for about six years but I have to say the flight was excellent. Bright cheery crew and a clean and pleasant cabin. What more could you ask for? The trip was uneventful - just under two hours most of which was spent listening to my itouch. I didnt bother with food or a drink but a couple of rounds were made.
Descent into Madrid was uneventful and we were parked up quickly. No airbridge so a quick sprint into the terminal for DB and I (MR DL was long gone)through an empty immigration hall and into a chaotic baggage reclaim . The phrase booze ups and breweries springs to mind but getting the gist of a Spaniard shouting at another Spaniard (who was attempting to get a carousel working again)we headed for another carousel where the BRS bags were being unloaded. Ours were out virtually first and 15 mins after touching down we were heading towards the Metro which was a 7 minute walk ( the rationale being that the traffic would be awful and it would probably take less time than in a taxi).
The Madrid metro is clean efficient (and cheap [}:)]) and we arrived at the hotel 30 minutes after leaving the airport.
Madrid is fiendishly expensive (much worse than London and Dublin IMHO)so were grateful for the Club room ( and very pleasant lounge [:D])I booked at the Intercontinental (and from where Im writing this with a nice glass of Rioja in hand).
Back home tomorrow [:)] (and DB still has a face like a smacked bottom [:D][:D]).
DL
