Air Transat

Well, the big day had arrived. The day we had been waiting for for months. Yes, England would enter the fray vs Russia. And we would be on a plane to Canada at the time. However, we had a contingency plan. Vicky had recorded the match and, via Tunnel Bear (great App), and SkyQ , we would watch it on arrival at the hotel in Calgary. Of course this would mean a Likely Lads style situation when getting off the plane. Anyone remember England W? I was confident not too many Canadians would be waxing lyrical about the England football team, though, so all should be well. 

I can highly recommend the rooms at The Holiday Inn Gatwick Airport. The bed was comfy, the shower hot and powerful, and the coffee tray had mugs not cups. We rose early (for Ian) at 6.11am, and headed down for the courtesy bus. The courtesy bus that cost £3 per person. By 7.30 we were entering the South Terminal. Now you may feel I am a snob, but the list of carriers that flies out of the South Terminal reads like a who's who of chav airlines, lead by Easyjet andRyanair,  and there amongst them was our one, Air Transat. I had never heard of this airline before so was a little nervous, especially when I had read on their website that the inflight meal for our 9 hour flight was to be a sandwich. We followed the signs for the AT desk, which lead us round the back, through some doors, down a slope, and into the bowels of the terminal. The queue to baggage drop was mercifully short (we have had issues with long queues at check in) and we were held up only slightly by the fact the girl in front needed to totally repack all her cases. Why!! A smooth check in was made fun by the fact that the couple next to us had two overweight pieces of hand luggage each, and had begun to argue the toss. Alas our agent was very efficient and moved us on before we found out what happened. Security was very busy but Gatwick has a great system to move people quickly, unless you need the full strip search like Ian. He does look good naked through one of those machines though. 

Next up, a big breakfast as who knew when AT would feed us again. 

Unfortunately I forgot to take the photo before we demolished the meal. 

By the time Ian had taken care of some pesky details, like car insurance, bank and phones, it was boarding time. Gate 23 proved to be round about Dover, but the travelators gave Ian time to leap up several hundred more levels on angry birds. As we arrived our row was being called, and not the row of the little old lady in front who proceeded to take both of us out with her wheely case as she whirled around to stomp off. We were near the back of the plane with no-one in the isle seat, yay! Unfortunately it was true, dinner was just a sandwich

We did, however, get great views of Iceland. Remember rekjevik girls?

And Greenland, it's very white. 

I watched 'sisters' quite funny, Ian watched 'the revenant' alright but too much groaning in pain. Later they came by with a small piece of pizza each. I wasn't overly impressed with the meals.

Eventually we arrived in Calgary and disembarked. The walk to passport control was another long one, but once there we moved through quickly, passing the time by trying to get directions to our hotel on the App on Ian's phone. The car hire desk man was really efficient, even throwing in an upgrade to a Jeep Cherokee. I don't want a skoda next, I want a Jeep Cherokee. Wow. It's got leather seats and is so high I have to jump to get in. 

In we jumped and were soon heading to downtown Calgary. I take my hat off to Ian for just getting in and driving in a strange country with virtually no idea where he was going. The App did help though, and we arrived at The International Hotel of Calgary a split second before a coach load of Saga holidaymakers. I rushed in and managed to hit the reception desk first. We were on the 34th floor do decided to take the lift. Our room was a pleasant surprise.

The SkyQ App was not. Tunnel bear didn't come through, and we couldn't watch the match! However that turned out to be a good thing. A 1-1 draw with the Russians scoring in injury time was not the result we were looking for, specially as the Welsh won! Home before us I think. 

We decided to head for a steakhouse advertised in a local guide and see some if Calgary in the process. It was a bit like cheers, the waitress was very pleasant, and Ian never noticed her very short skirt at all. She recommended some local beers which were very nice. We strolled back by the river and went straight to bed. 

Food watch

Ian - Brisket with garlic fries and corn wrapped in bacon. 7/10. Good beer

Jackie - Brisket with mash and mixed beans. 7/10. Brisket seems to be the national dish and was really tender.