At 18:31 hrs BST last Thursday, so 23:01 hrs for me, I received the news long felt likely; Sri Lanka was going to be red listed. Not only that, but from 04:00 hrs BST on Tuesday.
Time to get my skates on and change travel plans.
When I booked UK travel for 1st July it was with the possibility of the need to travel earlier, and so it came to be. My ticket was booked via a local travel agent so I had a somewhat restless time waiting for them to arrive at work and read the email I had sent right away at night. True to form, they were on the ball immediately and changed my reservation to secure the last available seat on UL505, departing at 02:40 hrs on Sunday.
In a blur followed a very fast track PCR test, UK formalities including booking Day 2 and 8 PCR tests and completing the Passenger Locator Form, and preparing an apartment for nearly three months without occupancy. I was ready on the Saturday night just three minutes before the taxi arrived.
Travel itself was an anti-climax, everything falling easily in to place. Although check-in was slow due to the formalities, it was efficiently handled as Rennie and the children had also found a couple of weeks prior on their own journey. The business lounge was enjoyed in the company of friends from the children’s school, also travelling back to the UK for the summer earlier than planned, and then it was time to board. Eleven hours of flight passed quickly with reading and semi-sleep, full sleep being prevented by the discomfort of wearing a mask throughout causing pressure on my ears that led to a splitting headache.
My first glimpse of England was the familiar shape of Felixstowe Estuary, followed soon afterwards by a lap of central London in clear visibility, and then touchdown just after 09:00 hrs. Stu was waiting for me, and after a nice drive to Mum and Dad’s and plenty of natter, I was back. A surreal feeling of having been away forever yet not at all (for example muscle memory of light switches and furniture obstacles in a darkened room), and the privilege of enjoying the love, care and tranquil setting that is Mum and Dad’s home.
Having brought fresh Papaya, Passion Fruit and Lime from Colombo courtesy of Rennie’s quick thinking (she placed a market order from Krnov via WhatsApp when she realised I was going to use nothing like my 50Kg baggage allowance), it would have been rude not to make some G&Ts on the first evening; Sri Lankan Lime is wonderfully intense and flavourful.
Steve
