The airport

Well the hardest part is over. I've said my goodbyes and I'm waiting in Manchester Airport Terminal 1. A few hours to kill so seems like a good time to sit in Starbucks with a coffee and watch the planes coming and going. At least until I get bored of that or finish my coffee. The decision to buy a large cup to kill more time and risk needing the toilet on the plane or just go with a small but have more time to kill wasn't easy. In the end I took the middle of the road 'grande' option. We'll see how that pans out later...

I've had an influx of texts and facebook messages from everyone and all-sorts wishing me well, some of them quite touching. The replies have killed a bit of time so they've had a practical purpose too. The brave face is holding out thankfully although there was a moment there when Kirsty put up a collage of pictures with a touching farewell brought a lump to my throat. A quick glance around at all the holiday makers and buisnessmen and the thought of what they'd think of a grown man wiping a tear from his eye soon sorted that obviously...

Unfortunately it only dawned on me when I took my passport out of my bag that I was supposed to get 20 or so photos done for the various ID badges etc and I completely forgot! I've tried to look for a machine in the terminal lounge but ironically there isn't one! Mind you, who needs passport photos this side of the security check in (apart from me). 

A bit of good news is that I don't have to collect my bags and re-check them in at Cairo. Apparently they meet me there. I'm not entirely sure that's good news if I'm perfectly honest. The thought of relying on the backage handlers to read a barcode correctly and forwad all your remaining possessions (which now fit into 2 suitcases) onto the correct destination rather than personally checking that at least they made it half way is never confidence inspiring. I'm sure they know what they're doing though right? 

Anyway, that's enough for now. Aside from the fact that I've got very little else to say if I make these too long and continue to ramble on about trivial nothingness then whoever does intend to read this will be put off very quickly. Maybe the boredom of the plane journey will result in another post if I can think of anything worth writing about.