Homeward Bound

Thursday 27 March

We're all up early to finish packing and prepare for what is going to be a very long day (and night). We gather at the manse and following prayers for our safe travel we start to say our goodbyes and board the bus to the airport. More goodbyes here.....this time they seem the last....until we see our good friends (many dressed in their distinctive guild uniforms) waving from the airport balcony as we board our jet......what a send off!

Our first flight is south to Blantyre......the landing doesn't seem too bumpy....apparently they closed it last week because there were too many pot-holes in it. It is then on to Addis Ababa. Those with window seats on the 'starboard' enjoy wonderful views of Lake Malawi, the Rift Valley, Mount Kenya and Lake Victoria before the sun goes down.

Our stop-over in Addis is around six hours so there is time to explore the terminal......Janet is the most adventurous, buying an outfit for a wedding later in the year. But more so when in the restaurant, which struggled to provide coffee, but did provide 'National dishes'.......Janet plumps for Injir Firfir and finds that it is a grey 'pancake' filled with jar of gherkins! As we wait we find our flight  has been combined with a flight to Rome, so the queues are long and the plane rather full, including members of the Italian rugby league team on their return from a tie with Kenya.

We settle down, with a few hours sleep being enjoyed by some.....we are woken for our in flight meal, as day breaks and we look down on the lights of Corinth......thinking of the advice to the Corinthians....'Love is patient....'. The light brightens as we see the snow capped Apenines before we start our descent to Rome, where more seats become available to stretch out on.......but what is the large aircraft parked in the corner of the airport......it is Airforce One.......President Obama has apparently also dropped into Rome to visit Pope Francis.

The Alps are plastered in snow and bathed in sunshine as we fly over them and Lake Geneva.....we think about putting on jackets for the firs time in two weeks as we move forward in the plane to help us disembark quickly - the combined flight means that our 'transit' time at Heathrow is squeezed. All goes well, however, and we make a slick exit from terminal three and are soon in the long queues at security in terminal five, arriving at the gate in time to enjoy a cup of coffee before we go.

It's not long before we are at Abbotsinch collecting our luggage; unfortunately three bags have not been as slick as we have been at Heathrow and are still in London (but they do make it home the following day). We say some hurried goodbyes as we split up before travelling safely back to Mid-Argyll.......just managing to stay awake!

What a trip, with so many fond memories of a wonderful country with beautiful people with a strong Christian faith.......as we left Glasgow, a taxi-driver asked what escapade were we going on.....this escapade has filled our hearts and minds, with much to do and tell on to others on our return.