An ominous star to the camino

Today is the day we travel from Montpellier to Porto. First, we forgot our packed lunch, but Hannah got our attention before we were out of earshot and Stefan ran it to us. And then at the train station, as we enjoyed a coffee at "Paul's", Les noticed that there were three soldiers noticing and then investigating and then steering people away from, an unattended duffel bag. We decided our best move was to go to platform and wait for the train. Our tickets were in coach 16, so we tried to eject a couple of young guys from the same numbered seats in coach 15, and then did eject a dad and his boy from our seats in 16 as he was supposed to be in 17. The upper level of the coaches are a bit confusing it would appear. 

We arrived in Barcelona with our guard up and possessions battened down. As some of you will remember, Barcelona is not our lucky city. We enjoyed the walk to Plaza Catalunya and around that area, stopping for a cup of tea before taking the bus to the airport. A smooth transition through security and then I spied my favourites tapas chain, Lazarran's and we settled down to share a beer and have some tapas. I was complaining that my pack felt heavy so we redistributed the weight by eating the mandarins and chocolate.

Boarding was smooth but there were six guys in electric wheelchairs and that appeared to be a bit of a problem but clearly not insurmountable. BUT we are now on the tarmac waiting and waiting. We were due to leave at 7:05pm. We have driven around for 15 min. without a hint of takeoff. It is now 8:35pm and the pilot has announced the flight crew have exceeded their flying time so a new crew will arrive in 20 minutes. Real time or airport time I wonder? If we leave by 9.....a real miracle, we'll be in Porto by 10pm Porto time and to our Airb&b by 11. 

Stay tuned......

9:30pm new crew arrives. We take off. The pilot is driving this thing like the concord (like I would know).

Dinner on the plane.......and we paid for this because we were expecting to go for dinner in Porto and that won't happen. I went for protein. 

Les went for taste.   

He asked to be reminded never to order this again. 

We are now landing, 1 1/4 hours after takeoff on what is usually a two hour flight. Our ears are bursting on the fast descent!

And we're here! Taxi ride to Airb&b and welcoming hosts to show us around. 

To bed!