Wales - Day 3 - the journey home.

Just a bit befuddled when we woke up and certainly in need for a bit more sleep - obviously having fun kind of drains the system , especially at my age. BUT - in need of solid sustinance it was up, washed and down for breakfast where we joined a somewhat subdued group of diners. I was able enough to manage a fairly healthy plate, of fruit and yogurt followed by bacon and egg ( just a wee treat), whilst Graham seemed to have a problem facing even hiscoffee - so it was back to the room to try and get another bit of rest before we had to quit the room at 12.30 p.m.
Fortunately there was even more rugby on the TV, so having settled, and managed to get hold of a couple of Gordons Gin's with Tonic we happilly watched the TV, then moved down to the bar where we saw the end of the match.
Our friend in his taxi arrived so we headed up to the Station, got our tickets, but with a long wait in hand we headed over to the Grand Hotel, where they were still recovering from their full house of visitors. The Duty Manager had been out to one of the supermarkets to stock up as "the cupboards were bare", so after a wait the cook managed to produce some homely fare for our table.

Onto the train, armed once again with Heiniken, and into the First Class it was off to Cardiff Station where we had a bit of a wait for the train to Rhoose. From the platform we had a fine view of "Brains Brewery"- however we had never actually sampled their ales during the trip.
Train arrived and chugged along the coast past Barry Docks and up to Rhoose Station ( or bus shelter as the case was) and we boarded the shuttle bus for our last leg to Cardiff International Airport.

Into the termianl, place was nearly deserted so we checked in using the passport swipe machine - no proplems, then as there was no to take our cases we went into the "excess baggage" place where a somewhat scatterbrained lady took our bags and made us sign papers. then it was up the stairs and into the "Priority Pass Lounge" which we had to ourselves, along with several drinks whilst watching an old episode of Midsummer Murders to pass the time. The lady on the reception said that the place had been absolutley jampacked till 2 a.m. as the "Heiniken airlift" took place to get the supporters and the Munster team back to Ireland. The team had led a big sing song in the main concourse of the airport.
The plane boarded and left about 15 mins late, but made up on time during the trip north - it was the same cabin crew who had taken us south, very nice young ladies who were being chatted up by some of the passengers.

Into Edinburgh - then!!! where were our bags - no sign at all, so we had to track down the FLYBE desk, then the baggage handlers to report that they were missing. In the meantime Mrs. B. was waiting nearby for our call and getting slighlt less amused by the minute. Out into the drop off zone which was nearly deserted and called her to come and get us - all going well and then we saw her headiong into the wrong lane, having been forced over out her lane at the last minute by someone who was a bit lost. She then had to swing into the pick up lane and stop at the barrier where we jumped in and then being unable to reverse out due to following traffic had to go through the barrier and made for the exit. At the barrier she stopped and has she had not validated the ticket the barrier would not work - then Mr JOBSWORTH appeared at the end of the intercome, he knew what had happened at the the other end as he was watching her, but refused to lift the barrier. We ended up having a bit of a shouting match but Graham had to go back into the car park and get another attendant to give him a validated ticket which we had to use to get out, but again after JOBSWORTH had had his say. Needless to say Mrs. B. was not happy and has refused to take us near the airport again
WELCOME TO EDINBURGH AIRPORT.
Home, no cases and off to bed, knowing that I was up sharp in the morning.