To be fair there has perhaps been a little bit less of the social media sharing on this trip than usual, keeping it to the blog. One of the things I have taken from this time of covid is to try and reduce the virtual stream of consciousness and focus on the real and actual (until now!). 5 days of very real and actual have consolidated that thought process to an extent, although I have picked out my favourite 10 photos on Instagram (which did find their way onto Facebook, who haven't banned me completely, just the blog!) and am going to close with some random musings.
Are we appreciating stuff more in a global pandemic? Probably; travel has been a big part of what brought Chrissi and I together and continues to be an important part of our life, so even if we are a little more restricted at the moment, it was great to find a bit of old normal.
The kids now old enough to be left to their own devices (within reason, the odd adult check in and lots of accessible technology) that will open up possibilities for them and us even further as we look to the future. Be great to do some more trips with them, but equally be hoping they start to embark on their own solo adventures. We have a couple of biggies very tentatively planned for the turn of the year then Summer .. almost don't want to jinx it by saying anymore than that at the moment.
Will we be able to do more of this kind of stuff as things open up? Hopefully; like most people is difficult to foresee the future, but will certainly make the most of whatever opportunities are permitted within the public health boundaries. Iceland very much like Wales in terms of ongoing mask wearing, and a little bit of respectful wariness. And it didn't spoil things at all to be a little more aware of others.
The covid testing a bit of a pain and not entirely sure what it can achieve in the long run. To be stranded abroad or lose many £s due to a positive test at a time in/around the trip would turn the whole situation upside down, and is not a sustainable approach. You would have to assume many people would look to find loopholes. And many more unscrupulous types filling their boots in the mean time.
As to out last few hours abroad, most of it was the functional, but even the functional is exciting as we approach nearly 2 years since we had last been on a plane.
Packed, a less than leisurely breakfast and took our car for one last drive, through the rush hour Reykjavik traffic. No dramas with the drop off at Budget Rentacar, clean bill of health for the little I10 (that we named Rusty in a drop off panic - it was a little rusty, and also a nod to the Lampoons franchise that often finds a mirror in at least one element of our travels)
A slight bit of holding ones breath at the BA check in, and perhaps an indication of how complicated and difficult current travel arrangements are. We did our lateral flow test within the last 72 hrs, had our double jab certificate, but a lack of PCR was something that the check in staff felt a little reckless. And you know what, they were right, we had obeyed the letter of the law, but the room for error and dare I even say fraud is very high. That said, we were pleased to be ushered through after they had made their phone calls, and we were negative a couple of days ago, and very keen to be on our way.
Trundled on through the usual rituals of spending up any spare cash in duty free, and having a coffee before boarding for the flight home.
A travel time of just under 3 hrs was very relaxed,leafing through the Lonely Planet and other Iceland magazines enhancing our first hand knowledge with further background facts and opinions. Not much entertainment on BA, will download to IPAD for future short haul flights, but reading is fine when not too tired.
Packed in like sardines, people coughing, spluttering and sneezing in a couple of the rows nearest us and you are very aware of the precarious nature of our current situation. This is not to be glib in the slightest, many people are still dying, jabbed and unjabbed, so I do return to my original reflections as to what this means for travel, exploration and adventure. Caution is the best I can come up with but appreciate that is likely to be a fairly meaningless word for people infecting or being infected.
Landed reasonably comfortably in Heathrow and no huge dramas at immigration, although the coming together of many people from many different countries again reminds you as to the arbitrary nature of this word caution.
Was nice to pick up bags and then car from the short stay car park, we had left booking until late so had the luxury of it being on their meet and greet package, so a last bit of 'pampering' before we headed west on the M4.
