Sitting on the plane, ready to go. Have had the strange aisle chair experience, alarmingly narrow. First to board, surrounded by acres of empty seats. Upgrade request refused: "oh, as you're wheelchair bound you have to sit in a special seat". Oh. So what's so special about 26C, an aisle seat although I've requested a window? "You're close to the toilets". Ah, ok. And if they're accessible, how am I meant to get to them? Don't quite understand the logic here. But hey, I'm on board, managed to get my chair to the door (it's a long way to push. I'm shattered! 1.5 hrs sleep and a one hour drive means I'm not at peak fitness...). Chased through customs by eager (anxious) ground staff. Ready to rock.
Parking not that clear either. "Disabled parking is by the bus stop". Which would that be then? Luckily a helpful bus driver tells me to follow as we meander through a 3am lit carpark. Ramp on, help off, straight to the front of the check in queue. So there are some advantages to being in a chair...
OK. Off we go. Next stop Lisbon.
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