A Flying Visit To Germany
It has been such a long time since I saw dear friends in Germany; the days, the weeks, the months - the years! - fly by so swiftly, and although phone calls and letters are all very well, it is so much nicer to have the chance to see lovely people face to face, and catch up properly on each other's news.
I also believe it is important to make the best of everything. If it isn't possible to enjoy a long visit with someone, even an hour or two is better than nothing, so when Wendy suggested we take a flight from London City Airport (LCY) to Frankfurt, hire a car to give us the opportunity of driving to a couple of places to see our friends, I jumped at the chance!
London City Airport is a great departure and arrivals hub; it's small and intimate, their record for punctuality is superb, and getting through security and passport control swift and easy. Another great point is that - unlike the major airports - although there is a charge for collecting passengers on arrival back home, they don't charge "dropping off" fees.
We had to get to LCY very, very early. I am such an owl, and getting up at 4.30 in the morning was a bit of a shock for me! but I managed just fine, and once in the airport, it was buzzing with life and excitement, and Wendy and I had a lovely breakfast before walking to the gate for our flight.
The aircraft British Airways use at LCY are Embraer 190s, operated by BA City Flyer. The runway isn't long enough to accommodate bigger aircraft; Embraer planes have just one aisle, with two seats either side, and as the pilot pulls away and taxis round, getting lined up for take-off, it is all very slow and gentle. Then there is a pause, as though the plane is holding its breath, until suddenly the engines rev up, the acceleration gathers force and you go charging down the runway, swiftly gaining the speed to get airborne.
Some people find the quick take-off unnerving, but I always think it feels a bit like a running race for Victorian ladies in long dresses: "Quick, girls, gather your skirts around you, and go faster and faster!" or cyclists pedalling away like mad, to get lift-off!
Even though it is a short flight to Frankfurt, BA serve you a snack and a hot drink - more tea is always welcome for us! - and in no time at all we were landing at Frankfurt. Because we were on an Embraer plane, we parked some way away from the terminal, and a bus was waiting to take us to the arrivals hall.
It felt so good to be back in Germany - I always feel it is like home from home! - and everything went brilliantly for Wendy and me.
We collected the hire car; the gentleman on the desk was interesting, and very chatty; he told us his Mum is from Germany and his Dad is from Southend in Essex, so he comes over to England regularly to see his English family - a truly happy combination!
Wendy is so confident driving on what I call "the wrong side of the road" (oh dear! Wendy was not impressed with me! "No, mother!" she insisted, "it's just the "other side" of the road!") but of course it is right when you have a left-hand drive car.
What a treat this visit was. We had a wonderful time seeing our lovely friends, catching up with everything we have been doing, and hoping it won't be long before we can meet up again.
All too soon, we had to drive back to Frankfurt, and take the flight home to London. As we flew over the Thames, we could see the Dartford crossing and the A2 through Bexley; the views are spectacular, and Wendy managed to take a couple of photographs through the window.
We're all hoping it won't be long before we can make a return trip to see everyone again; but in the meantime, we carry home all their love and good wishes, and we have so many happy memories safely stored in our memory bank.
View of the A2 towards Bexley
