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Following 30 hours of 'tear your hair out' travel, It's taken me 2 days to reach a frame of mind where I don't want to strangle someone, and can actually write calmly about my experiences without resorting to foul language and feeling a desperate need to stick hat pins in a voodoo doll.
But, before I continue, I should point out that Delta (an airline I absolutely despise) had surprisingly the most wonderful flight attendants on the flight from Atlanta to London, they were friendly and attentive, it took me quite by surprise, and reminded me of the attention I used to receive in first class.
I've become quite complacent over the last few years about the treatment dished out by miserable, dissatisfied, sour faced flight attendants, but then I fly coach these days. In first class the attendants have to be nice. I became quite used to the special attention one receives in first class service, and its been a bit of a slap in the face moving back to coach.
Usually I manage to snag an exit isle or a front seat, but this flight was so overbooked, Delta seem to do that a lot, and the miserable desk clerk curtly informed me that I had no chance of changing my seat. The flight was so full I only saw one empty seat, but at least I was fortunate to be seated next to someone very nice. The airline food was absolutely disgusting, I just couldn't eat it, and breakfast was really special, some slimy, sour tasting yellow gunge in a soggy bun, it's almost insulting the bad food they serve.
Upon landing in Gatwick I was greeted with more problems at the car rental desk, and after an hour and a half of trying to sort it out, waking poor Bob and Danni on the phone at 3:15am desperate for help, and throwing a few tantrums, I eventually gave up and decided to take the train instead.
As it turned out, train travel was lovely, all the trains ran on time, they were immaculately clean, and comfortable, and the views of the countryside were spectacular. I had to change trains twice, at Reading and Bristol, but there was only 5-8 minutes between the trains so there was no waiting around, it was all very easy, other than that I was lugging a bloody heavy, huge great suitcase with me, without that, the train travel at least would have been great. Whoever said travel was enjoyable probably has their own plane, professional chef, and a chauffeur!
Back in the beautiful West country, in the stress free, relaxed atmosphere with my Mum, it's given me the chance to wind down and forget at least for a couple of days all the trauma of travel, even the trials and tribulations of dealing with airline staff and car rental companies... Sadly I'm boarding a plane again on Wednesday to take the long flight to South Africa, I'm excited to be going but dreading the actual trip. I'll be taking my own food with me this time.
The weather here in England is lovely, and Mum and I have been driving around the beautiful English countryside enjoying the views.
Usually I manage to snag an exit isle or a front seat, but this flight was so overbooked, Delta seem to do that a lot, and the miserable desk clerk curtly informed me that I had no chance of changing my seat. The flight was so full I only saw one empty seat, but at least I was fortunate to be seated next to someone very nice. The airline food was absolutely disgusting, I just couldn't eat it, and breakfast was really special, some slimy, sour tasting yellow gunge in a soggy bun, it's almost insulting the bad food they serve.
Upon landing in Gatwick I was greeted with more problems at the car rental desk, and after an hour and a half of trying to sort it out, waking poor Bob and Danni on the phone at 3:15am desperate for help, and throwing a few tantrums, I eventually gave up and decided to take the train instead.
As it turned out, train travel was lovely, all the trains ran on time, they were immaculately clean, and comfortable, and the views of the countryside were spectacular. I had to change trains twice, at Reading and Bristol, but there was only 5-8 minutes between the trains so there was no waiting around, it was all very easy, other than that I was lugging a bloody heavy, huge great suitcase with me, without that, the train travel at least would have been great. Whoever said travel was enjoyable probably has their own plane, professional chef, and a chauffeur!
Back in the beautiful West country, in the stress free, relaxed atmosphere with my Mum, it's given me the chance to wind down and forget at least for a couple of days all the trauma of travel, even the trials and tribulations of dealing with airline staff and car rental companies... Sadly I'm boarding a plane again on Wednesday to take the long flight to South Africa, I'm excited to be going but dreading the actual trip. I'll be taking my own food with me this time.
The weather here in England is lovely, and Mum and I have been driving around the beautiful English countryside enjoying the views.
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| Wells, Somerset, UK |
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| Somerset Countryside |
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