Saturday 17 June: Cagliari to home

I am relieved after yesterday's cycle along busy roads that we have decided to take the train to the airport. We struggle down the stairs and Simon manages to squeeze my bike into the lift. A short pedal to the station where we are able to speak to a human being and successfully buy tickets for us and the bikes this time. A 5 minute journey and we are at the airport. We get the bikes into the plastic bags and then balance them precariously on trolleys to check in. Oversized baggage has to be taken down a level so we have to negotiate the crowded departures lounge once more, and the only lift large enough is out of order. However we manage it eventually and with some apprehension watch the bikes disappear into a dark tunnel to be scanned and loaded, we hope. Our pilot is female and I tell myself that I should not be surprised. BA no longer offer free refreshments and luckily we have bought some pannini at the airport as they have no fresh food and their credit card paying system is broken. I do manage a gin and tonic though! Bikes arrive safely, swiftly and in one piece and the valet parking system comes up trumps. M3 exit from M25 closed so a detour through leafy Surrey thanks to google maps. Still home in 3hrs 45 and temperature nearly as hot as in Sardinia. We will have to start planning for next year.....