So I caught the first First bus after 09:30 into Worcester. After all, my bus pass is not valid earlier. This gave me time for a last "traditional breakfast" with added black pudding at Wetherspoon's.
The 11:15 from Foregate Street to Reading is a fast train - not stopping at Pershore or Honeybourne. It comprised only 3 carriages but there was plenty of space. Unfortunately no tables or power sockets so I read the Metro.
The Heathrow bus from Reading was waiting for me and nearly empty so we made good time to Terminal 2.
Check-in was efficient. There were only short queues at security and I did not have to remove my shoes or turn my computer on. So there was plenty of time for a pint of Fullers' ESB. £5.05 is expensive but it is only once a year for me. Then a quick dive through Duty Free and WH Smith before the golf-buggy took me all the way to gate 41. This gate is connected by a long bridge to a hub so I had a 5 minute walk to the plane. The 737-800 was almost full but there were no problems getting locker-space. Food was quite tasty and the journey was without any alarms so we arrived early at Luxor at 23:15.
Only a short queue for a visa, no wait at immigration and my suitcase was already on the belt. Customs wanted to inspect it but didn't seem very interested so I didn't need to unpack very much.
Tayeb was waiting for me so we were quickly heading for the Sheherazade. 24C is a very comfortable night-time temperature so I sat outside for about an hour before heading for bed. Only a couple of rooms were in use and there was no unusual noise. A new adventure awaits.