The Cathedral is modern and very large - it was founded in 1889 but was not inaugurated until 1927.

 

 

After returning the car keys to George, (total kilometres driven: 979) we spend the afternoon relaxing on the room's patio before taking our luggage to reception to await the transfer bus. A mini-bus arrives at 7:50pm and gets us to the airport at 8:30pm.

The airport is very crowded, but we are quickly checked-in. Our Jet2 flight is due to go from Gate B9 but there are no seats in that area until a young couple give us theirs. A delayed flight to Manchester from Gate B10 appears to be a factor in the cause of overcrowding. When it comes to boarding, it is a shambles with a case of  'every man for himself'.

 

Flight LS 1242 is on an Airbus A321-NEO, scheduled to take-off at 11:25pm. We are in extra-leg-room seats 19 E and F, with 19D vacant for most of the flight, though a couple of passengers come to "try it out" late in the flight.

 

Departure is delayed due to traffic control restrictions. The flight backs-off at 12:30am, and takes-off at 12:38am. We are now hungry but the cheese and ham toasties we purchase on board are of poor quality.

 

The aircraft lands at a cool and dry Birmingham at 2:30am. There are long queues at Border Control and we have problems in meeting our taxi due to the darkness and the large volumes of people and cars. It is 4am when we reach home.