Tuesday 30th August

So up bright and early.  Even Emily was up without prompting and at 0630 it was off to Terminal 5, London Heathrow by taxi ordered via our local minicab service .  A £27 run compared to the £56 a black cab cost me to get home on Saturday evening when I returned from Boston.

No queues at check in- thank goodness and dear friend Chris Plastow had moved my seat so I could at least sit next to Emily.  We had been allocated apart as we were on different bookings.  Only economy as I was paying but Emily did get the first time experience of the 'Business Class' Lounge which I am able to get into as I have  silver status membership card.  This is awarded if you make a certain number of flights during a year and lasts for 12 months.  It means you can fast track queues when checking in, use the lounges and have your bags come off as priority at the luggage carousel. This one does not always work!  All of this is only if I am flying with British Airways and the added advantage is I can take in a guest if flying with me.

Emily was most impressed and soon tucking into bacon rolls, using the internet and taking pictures to send to friends.  She even had a Southern  Comfort and Coke just so she could say I had a free alcoholic drink.  Shame there was no champagne as I might have joined her.  I am lucky to have been in many Business Class lounges over the last 10 years and continue to be amazed how many people are flying at the 'higher paid' seats.  Flying Business is lovely but I would never do it on 'my money' - you get to the same place, only the ride is different.  However looking around the lounges - lots of people do.

4.5 hours later we arrived in Larnaca, were quickly through immigration, where they hardly look at your passport, had collected cases, not the first off but not bad and had met Lillian.  All within 20 minutes of landing.  Oh to do that on one US trip where a stand in immigration queues of one hour is fairly the norm.

Emily seemed suitably impressed with our new home and was soon whizzing up and down the pool and completing 30 lengths without trouble.  She swims just like Lillian with nice style and graceful ease.  She actually looks faster than Lillian and clearly does not take after me who struggled to complete 10 and was puffing and blowing at the end.  10 days off and I am tired and will need to build up again.

A walk into the village and eat at Soutzos, the very traditional taverna and then back to sit in the hot tub looking at the stars.  Its nice to be back.