Well after what seems like an eternity, here we are at Manchester airport in the escape lounge.

Bit different today since we're traveling on the later flight, vs073 which leaves at 2pm. So the whole day has been very different from the usual 5am up and travel to the airport!

The vs073 flight is using the old trust 747s (more engines can't be bad right?) and we're upstairs in the bubble in 79A&C pretty much our favourite seats.

Although not looking forward to the 9 hour flight, I feel more awake and ready for it than usual given the timings

The escape lounge is the same as ever, nice and relaxing. They have more food than is available for the early flights, so sandwiches and things like that. We're in courtesy of Barclays premier banking, one of the better benefits! Whether it's REALLY worth the dosh if you don't get it free I dont know :/ at least at this time of day I can have some wine without feeling like it's too early ;-)

We should arrive at MCO about 6pm their time, 11pm UK time and from there, it'll be across to Dollar to pick up our car, hopefully a nice Dodge Charger and then onto publix for provisions. Finally arriving at the wonderful villa around 8:30pm or so I hope.

The Chinese restaurant by publix does those little chinese boxes we always see on US programmes so we may have to stop by for some of that.