Image: Part of the in flight entertaimnet system, in addition to music films and games there is an interactive map which show wher eyou areat any given time also says how far you have gone, how far to go, time, height and speed.

 

 

Departure Day

29.03.23 – 19) Rise, dress, coffee, taxi arrives then I’m away

Another poetry tour departure day

Motorways clear, it feels good to be going back at this time of the year

Just over an hour, Manchester Airport in sight

Plenty of time before my first flight

Check in goes like a song, I’m not there long

Customs a slight delay but everything’s ok

Breakfast, a flat white and a breakfast bap, just the thing for this travelling chap

Now that’s done it’s sit and wait, till I’m called top the departure gate

 

20) Time, there’s plenty, I won’t know the gate till l7:20

6:40 the time as I compose this rhyme

7:00 flight to Heathrow boarding

May have been nice to be on it, in Heathrow an hour longer

The chances of my suitcase making it much stronger

But, over two and a half hours between flights in the main

Hopefully my worrying will have been in vain

 

21) Boarded then Pilot says “slight delay”, at 8:15we’re away

Engines full of power, Heathrow in just over an hour

Southward hence, slight turbulence, plane rocking, not too shocking

Looking out of the window I can see the sun

And I’m thinking “At last Poetry Tour 2023 has begun

 

22) Southwards we go beginning descent to Heathrow

Soon be on the ground and once the departure gates found

Sit and relax, hoping things go alright while I wait for my final flight

 

23) Heathrow they let us land then we had to stand

Bit of a short wait for a vacant arrival gate

It wasn’t long then things seemed to go like a song

Found out where needed to be, info said “Austin Gates C”

Quiet when I get there, no need to rush, just sit relax enjoy the hush

Ring home so my family’s knowing how things are going

The relax again and wait, till they open the departure gate

 

24) Gate open, group called, seat found ready to be Austin bound

Not quite full all but all boarded, now a lull

Got to wait here till we get the all clear

Seemed, not all luggage was stored on board

Nothing else wrong hope my suitcase is among

Those they’ve loaded and if things go right, we’ll be reunited at the end of this flight

 

25) On the move, things are going rightto the runway, we’ll soon be in flight

Outside it’s raining but I’m not complaining

Now we’re there

The end of the runway, Pilot guns the engine, we’re in the air

And if things go right in Austin I may get to an open mic tonight

26) First mishap of the trip I find, I’ve left my jacket behind

Never noticed it not being there should have taken more care

So when all said and done I look like buying another one

 

27) Clocks reset so I’m knowin’ what e time is where I’m goin’

Flight over five hours old some of us have been feelin’ the cold

So add an extra layer, some go the extra mile

Get under the blankets for a while

And as long as times abatin’ walk round keep the blood circulatin’

Done that but for now let tiredness over me creep

Over me an’ try an’ have a sleep

 

28) Last meal of the flight, it’s gone alright

Missouri blow, just over an hour to go

It’ll be grand when we land, an’ this travellin’ lad’ll be glad

An’ think it’s really swell seein’ his suitcase on the arrival carousel

 

29) Austin below downwards we go, safe an’ sound on the ground

Pilot knows where to park, we disembark, to my delight we soon alight

Walk to the carousel time’ll tell, luggage comin’ off well

For me not looking fine, no sign of mine

I watch as others com past, there’s mine, it’s the last

Through customs not far, to pick up my car

Goes well or so I thought but it came to nought

Cigar lighter didn’t work and I’d be in a mess if I couldn’t use my gps

Back and change, it for another car in the range

Same as “The Beast” last year, now I’m away

Like a bat outa hell to my motel

Book in an’ away quicker than a jig cos’ I got a poetry gig

With Thom keepin’ our friendship on the boil

When I drop off once more his olbas oil