I write this blog whilst sat at Gatwick airport about to embark on another very exciting adventure. I know… I know… We don’t ever stop and relax. This is true maybe in your opinion. To us, travelling around the county, the country or the world is a wonderful way to relax. However, there are many parts of travelling that aren’t altogether relaxing… and for me airplanes and all things airplane related are my number one annoyance.

Last night we travelled for 3 hours to get 6 hours sleep and a very sweeping visit with my parents. We were up again at 4am ready for a further 1 hour 45 minute drive. Let’s be honest… the South West sucks for airports and cheap flights to anywhere. I’d like to highlight that my view of “cheap” is probably different to everyone elses… for example our flight to Stockholm today is £60pp. The same flight from Bristol was three times as expensive and departure dates were limited. Many people ask us how we can afford to travel and we always have the same two answers 1) We don’t drink ourselves stupid every weekend which saves enough money in itself and 2) we are flexible and prepared to do the travel to London to get the cheaper flights. Needless to say this doesnt stop me being annoyed and moaning everytime I have to be up at 2am for another ridiculous long drive along the a303 to find that part of it is closed and I’m being diverted along a narrow country lane.

So annoyance number one is the distance to get to the nightmare that is an airport. I have to admit that airports have come on leaps and bounds in the last few years. Online check in and digital boarding passes are making everything quicker. Out of the 9 flights we have completed this year we have never had to wait too long to get through security (passport control in Kuala Lumpur was another matter). However, this doesn’t stop the process being laborious. Simon gets frisked EVERY SINGLE TIME. We can’t seem to find a reason why… he practically walks through naked and they still find something. Also, Simon’s electronic passport chip is useless. I always feel bad zooming through and looking back at Simon’s face with an ever increasing queue forming behind him. There’s no fun in check in, security and passport control, but I think the real fun rant comes from what’s awaiting in the terminal…

Things that annoy me in the terminal

1) alcohol consumption at 6am. Who in their right minds wants a beer at 6am? The only time this is acceptable is when you have been drinking through from the night before. This went to a new level today… samples of Jameson whisky in duty free at 6am… seriously people!!!

2) women looking like gods gift to men at 6am. I won’t torture you by inserting a photo of myself right now… I’m 90% sure that 99% of women wake up at 1am (an hour earlier than crazy early drive wake up time) to put on a full face of airport ready makeup. Again… seriously

3) why are retailers trying to sell me a soft and fluffy dressing gown right now? Yes, It’s lovely, but I’m about to go on holiday!!!! Leave me alone!

4) waiting. I hate waiting. Like, really hate waiting. Please wait for gate information… no! I was up at stupid o’clock… tell me now! Please 🙂

So whilst in the terminal I find a few things that annoy me. But my last two annoyances come from the actual plane journey. I’m not afraid of flying. This year we would have been on 13 flights, but despite the scientist inside of me recalling all of the facts about safety I still find myself nervous. I’m sure a large portion of it is excitement and I would never let my butterflies stop me flying but I do get annoyed that I always feel this way. And lastly, we travel light, super light really. Why do people feel the need to bring their entire life on the plane and push the boundaries of their cabin allowance. When I can’t get my tiny backpack in the overhead locker because of a “cabin” bag the size of our checked bag… I get a little grumpy!

So, there it is. My airplane rant. It’s 8.36 and they promised information at 8.35. Disgusting!

Please take this with a pinch of salt. We’re so grateful to be able to travel and the reward at the end of all this is truly worth my tiny grumbles.