After saying our goodbyes to Mavis who was heading off to Northern England to visit relatives, Ken and I headed off to the airport. (30/10).  As we had figured out the cost of bus, tube and Heathrow Express for both of us combined together with the inconvenience of lugging our gear up and down stairs we were just as well off to take a taxi.

I approached a local shopkeeper from the group of shops just down the road from where we were staying, at Mavis’ cousins to call a taxi for us.  I  was unaware at first that the lady had called a private taxi company.  When the taxi arrived Ken was a little concerned as it didn’t have any signage nor a meter.  We got in and settled back.  The driver seemed to take us around the world and took forever to get there.  I can remember thinking this is going to cost us a packet.  When we finally arrived at the airport I asked the driving how much, he answered twenty five pound.  I was pleasantly surprised.  The night before Ken, and I had estimated that it might cost up between thirty five and forty pound.

 My electronic flight information did not identify which terminal that I needed to go to, so on the off chance we went to where Kens plane was departing only to find out it was the wrong one.  We had a long walk to where we were meant to be, I was feeling a little weary as I didn’t really have appropriate shoes. Ken had  his luggage, as he was flying to Australia later in the evening and was unable to help with mine. 

Upon arrival and after checking in we decided to have coffee and breakfast.  Whilst sitting and chatting we were approached by a young man who told us he was waiting for his mother to come in and that he didn’t have any money and did we have any small change we could spare so that he could buy a cup  of tea and something to eat.  Ken dug into his pocket and found a couple of pound which he gave to him.  The guy set off to get his coffee and as he was leaving Ken said “how come out of all the people around these people tend to approach me ?”  Whilst talking I was watching the guy out the corner of my eye and was shocked to see that the cafe staff were treating the guy like a leper.  Apparently he didn’t have enough money.  I told Ken what was going on so he called him over.  I rummaged through my purse and managed to find fifty pence.  The smile on the guys face was beautiful, he was beaming he now had enough for a cup of tea and croissant.

I had mixed feelings this morning – excitement about seeing my friend Lynne again after so long, apprehension at flying by myself to a country that spoke another language and the fact that I had to transfer from Rome to a domestic flight, the relief of not having to worry about or make decisions for others, and the great sense of sadness that Ken was returning to Australia.  I went off shopping for a couple of things that Lynne had asked if I could get for her, this took much longer than I had expected.  When I returned Ken needed to  get some money from the currency exchange.  I asked Ken the time and he informed me it was 11am.  I nearly freaked,  I was due to board my plane at 11.20 and I hadn’t been through customs and had no idea of my boarding gate number nor where it was. The pressure was really on.  I was very short with Ken and suggested that he not worry about getting money until after I had left.  However, he wanted to give me some (I had given him a loan when he  was unable to get some money  when leaving Spain for)  Although it only took five minutes it seemed to be an age.  I was really starting to get up tight.  When I am not sure of what I am doing I like to know that I have time to spare, so that I can think it through and work it out.  Since my transplant I have found that it often takes me a little longer.  Walking to the customs check in it seemed to me that Ken was walking very slowly and I became a little agitated he told me to settle down as it was only 11.05. I thought to myself if the shoe was on the other foot he would be freaking out as he likes to be at the airport and checked in hours before the flight is due to leave.  Needless to say I was very short, when saying goodbye.

Would you believe I was pulled up going through customs.  They searched my bag, not sure what they thought they saw, but everything was okay.  I still didn’t know my departure gate and it was now 11.15.  After finding out from the departures desk, I ran all the way.  Would you believe it was probably one of  the furtherest gates away.  When I got there and was about to board the plane.  The hostess pulled me up about my passport.  She wasn’t sure about the validity.  She checked with a couple of other people.  I was then asked to take a seat, they checked to make sure I didn’t have any luggage in the hold and then informed they were contacting immigration.  Everyone else had boarded and I was still left sitting there.  Finally after several phone calls and much discussion she told me I was okay to board the plane.  Yahoo!!

I was sat next to an Australian couple, so had a lovely flight (until we were about to arrive).  We chatted all the way.  They were on Holiday and had spent the last week in New York and were on their way for a week in Rome.  They had commented on how comfortable the plane was due to the other airlines they had been travelling on to date. As we started our descent into Rome we commented  on how long it was taking to descend.  The lady, like me had ear problems when going up and down.  The captain gave his normal commentary about weather conditions etc, stating that it was a lovely sunny day and twenty two degrees.  At last we could see the tops of the buildings and in fact even the coliseum.  The lady was very excited.  Next thing we know the plane felt like it had stopped in mid air, the engines started roaring and we did just about a 180 degree turn going straight up.  I nearly died.  I thought oh my god what is happening! We seemed to climb forever, and next thing we were going up through this huge black cloud.  Lightning was flashing everywhere, the plane was being thrown around and I thought to myself this is it.  I have just finished walking the Camino and have come here for some R & R with my friend, was my time up?  I was scared, here I was alone.  I started praying and sending thoughts of love to my family and friends.  All I could picture was Ken standing there looking very sad.  I thought to myself was this how my life was meant to end?  I looked around the plane, everyone was in shock, some people crying, others hugging and holding onto each other.  The couple next to me absolutely terrified.  No one spoke a word.  Then the silence was broken.  The captain spoke, explaining that there had been a mis approach, nothing else.  We were up in the air for an absolute age, it ended up being nearly fifty minutes.  The lady next to me said ‘what if we run out of fuel?  Why doesn’t he land the plane? Next thing we started our descent once again.  I think everyone on  the plane was holding their breath and willing a safe landing.  The wheels finally touched the tarmac – thank god.  Everyone on the plane applauded – it was just like it was out of some movie scene.  Then the captain told us what had happened.  As he was about to land the weather changed rapidly and there was a horrific storm so he aborted the landing and flew up above the storm until it was over and safe to land.  But as I am still still writing this you will have gathered that everything turned out okay.  Next part in the the next day or so when I can get to a computer