It’s the journey not the destination is frequently quoted. But that journey is filled with hidden snags, anxieties, mishaps, potential disasters, and actual disasters as well. Travel is not entirely what it is lauded to be: fun, a broadening of the mind, the exposure to new experiences.

Just take this morning, catching a Skye flight to London Gatwick. Even most of yesterday was taken up in preparation for the the travel: Like checking times of train to airport, a practice walk from my accomodation to the airport train ( so not to take off in the wrong direction in the dark first thing), trying to check in on line ( countless attempts until I realise as a non EU citizen I have to check in at the airport with my brand new, expensive British Passport), messages to and fro about getting keys back into a recalcitrant lockbox when I leave ( ended up leaving them in the apartment), finding a place to eat near my stay so that I can return to the place easily and in time to do my third pack ….. Anyway the list goes on.

I finally go to bed with the alarm set for 5.30 am. And am awake most of the night checking the alarm.

This morning: out of apartment by 6.30 am and wended my way in the dark to the train. Through the turnstile and wait at platform . Make sure I get the right train and off at the right stop. I know all this so why am I stressing ? Find the check in and show my non EU passport. Head to the security check and join others to be yelled at and herded through.

I find the gate in the depths of the bottom floor with hundreds of other people lined up at their gate for other flights. Two hours to go. Up back to cafe and a coffee. Watching the gate signs like a hawk.

Down I go to A26 and it’s wait/stand/wait/ stand stand stand. Dare I go to the loo? Am I in the right line ? Until whoever is being waited for arrives. Then it’s move/push/squeeze onto a bus.

We tumble out onto the tarmac like so many sardines spilling out of a can, and clamber up the steps to the plane to cram ourselves into an equally crowded plane.

It’s 10.41 am and we are still on the ground . But I don’t care. I’m in the correct seat, 6 hours after leaving accomodation. 4 more hours to go.

Phew. I may read Virginia Woolf Mrs Dalloway just to relax before the next leg of travel.