24-25 September 2021

With some trepidation, I met Jamie at the ‘Test to Fly’ office in Syston on the 24th. In my view, he had booked the RT-PCR test rather too late to allow for any contingency, should anything go wrong. However, as it turned out, my concerns were unfounded. We were tested, provided with the necessary virtual test, and left with the assurance that the Day 2 return test would be arranged.

Later that evening, around 9 p.m., after he, Ruth and Joey had eaten at a Mexican restaurant in Market Harborough, I collected him from Desborough and drove to our hotel, the Days Inn near Stansted Airport. Throughout the day, reports had been circulating that petrol stations were running out of fuel. As we arrived at our accommodation, we were bemused to pass a mile-long queue of cars waiting patiently at the motorway services next door.

A quiet night was followed by a nervous morning as we awaited the results of our test and the all-important emailed proof required by both Ryanair and the Azorean immigration authorities. Fortunately, it arrived at 8.30 a.m., giving us enough time to complete the online forms and print out the documentation on the portable printer I had thoughtfully brought along. Mobile phones have a habit of letting you down at the most inconvenient moments, but a piece of paper never does.

After checking out of the hotel, we were parked up in the Mid-Stay car park by 10 a.m. and were soon whizzing towards Departures on the courtesy bus, passing yet another queue of frustrated drivers at a nearby airport petrol station.

On the departure side, we had our customary ‘large’ full English breakfast at Wetherspoon’s before settling in for a four-hour wait. The flight left on time and, despite the gloomy weather, arrived half an hour early, in the rain.

We breezed through immigration and COVID checks and were soon outside, searching for the ANC Car Rental office. It was closed, but a quick phone call from Jamie summoned a shuttle bus to take us to the main office. A bit of paperwork later, we were handed the keys to a little runabout. Within 15 minutes, we had located our accommodation, the VIP Executive Hotel (4-star).

After checking in and making a few calls home, we set off into town in search of food. As we approached the harbour, the heavens opened, and we were forced to take cover under a canopy until the worst of the downpour had passed. Then we made a dash for the nearest restaurant, where we satisfied both hunger and thirst while the rain gradually eased.

Once it finally stopped, we wandered on to explore the very pretty town centre, made even more charming under the evening floodlights. As it was getting late, we soon headed back to the hotel, pausing just once at another bar for some much-needed refreshments.