Wednesday 28th June 2023

We were very fortunate to have business class tickets with Qatar Airways, one of the best airlines in the world, and were looking forward to the experience of travelling in style as a family, even though we knew it would be an emotional roller-coaster even with the Champagne and super service on board. 

After an easy bag drop we walked to the business lounge at about 1:30am and sank in to the chairs with some drinks and nibbles.  Wrapped in the silence of the lounge at night, each of us was in our own world, reflecting on our time in this lovely country and all that we had experienced in four years.  I enjoyed my Champagne and Steve his customary Cointreau.

Our first flight left a few minutes behind schedule at 04:30am, and unusually for when we travel as a family we lifted off in to the night sky in silence, still each with our thoughts.  A beautiful dawn though signified our own dawn of the next stage in our lives.

There was just time for a nice breakfast in the super-spacious and grand business lounge at Doha airport, Steve and me enjoying a Cappuccino each and the kids their obligatory peach iced tea! 

Qatar Airways is famous for its Q-Suites that allow travellers to have their own cubicle or to open up to two, or four travellers in their own lounge other than for takefor -off and landing.  For the second leg to Heathrow we managed to swap with a couple of other travellers to get four seats together as two pairs facing each other that made for a special way to travel.   Attentive service, delicious food, more Champagne, wine and port, a little sleep, and in-flight entertainment.  Lovely distractions from our thoughts.

I managed to watch 3 movies, ate and drank plenty and really savoured every moment of my business class experience. I can’t remember much of my surroundings as my head was full of other things, but I do know I felt special.

All too soon, we were reunited with 23 pieces of luggage and in our minibus.  Ninety minutes later, we’d be unlocking our own door for the first time since 8th August, 2019 – with young adults not children as you’ll see in the next post.

Rennie