Using the wifi on my phone (Vodafone Egypt) I appear to be able to access more things, but of course I am having to pay for a large data package. So I will continue to try using local free wifi wherever possible. Expect long delays with email contact as I will try to only use my personal wifi a few times a day for short periods.
Anyway, the journey out. I had managed to book the non-stop EgyptAir flight from Heathrow to Luxor which leaves London at 17:10 in Summer Time (earlier in the winter). My baggage allowance was 2x23kg bags + 8kg carry-on. There is no way that I can handle 2 large suitcases as well as a rucksack and a walking stick. So I loaded what I could into my largest wheeled case - just under 30kg.
The bus into Worcester was full, but I managed to squeeze on. That is the problem just after 09:30 when all the Free Passes become valid - all the pushchairs, Shollies, wheelchairs, walking frames, etc., come out.
Having allowed myself sufficient time, I was able to take breakfast at The Postal Order, near Worcester Foregate Street station. This saved me the trouble of having to clear up and wash dishes on my final morning.
The lift at Foregate Street was working but I wish the platforms were higher. Fortunately the railway staff lifted my bag onto the train for me. The train was quite empty and nearly on time. Unfortunately it started raining before we got to Reading so I was not able to pack my jacket into my rucksack.
The Reading-Heathrow coach was quite busy but on time and the driver stowed my bag without complaint. Being on time, he was able to drop me at Terminal 2 rather than the Central Bus Station - saving a few hundred yards walk.
I located a baggage trolley which made life easier, and headed for the check-in desk. The jobsworth there tried to charge me excess baggage as technically I was over-weight. I successfully convinced her that, as I was a wheelchair passenger and had a 2-bag allowance totalling 46kg They could waive the excess on my single 29.6kg bag.
Security at Heathrow has changed. I did not have to remove my shoes. This is a big bonus. But I was given a thorough frisking. A couple of bottles from duty-free filled the space in my rucksack that might have held my jacket. Johnny Walker Red Label at £12 per litre is good enough for my Egyptian friends, who tend to add water to all spirits.
The golf-buggy through the tunnel to the departure gates was efficiently run. The plane boarded on-time and was only 3/4 full. It was with reluctance that I declined the offer of a seat in the escape-window row. These have extra legroom and a more adjustable tray-table. But I'm not convinced that I could quickly squeeze through the over-wing window without holding up proceedings. So 2 seats in that row were grabbed by 2 people who also did not meet the written conditions regarding age and mobility. Black marks to the flight crew for allowing this safety breach.
After a 35 minute delay before take-off we had a relatively uneventful flight, landing 20 minutes late at 23:50. There was then a long queue for visas. Due to exchange rate fluctuation US$25 is now slightly over UK£20, so customers were scrabbling to locate an extra UK note. I paid 50 Euros and got EGP450 in change.
There were no baggage trollies available in the baggage reclaim hall so I had to roll my bag the hard way.
They are now scanning all bags at the customs check, and I had to unlock my big case for them to locate 2 x 700ml of fine Malt Whisky. A bit over the 1 litre allowance, so another remand, but no extra payment.
I was just about the last person to leave the terminal building but, knowing that the city-centre duty-free shop no longer stocks alcohol I called in at the airport duty free to take full advantage of my allowance another 4 litres of Ballantines which is another favourite among my European and Egyptian friends. Fortunately Tayeb was waiting outside the airport door to take most of my load at 00:45 on Tuesday morning.
The usual complaints that he had been at the airport since 23:00 (because he does not check the live arrivals board on the internet on his smartphone), Sisi is still not popular as petrol prices have again gone up. No individual tourists so ne business for taxis. The list of grumbles never changes, and my responses don't vary much either.
We arrived at Sheherazade Hotel at about 01:30. As the hotel was nearly full and my reservation was made very late I was not able to have my usual room. But room 101 has been brought back into use and is on the ground floor.
It had a large number of ants, house-flies and other insects, as acceptable for one night it is rarely cleaned. The chandeliers badly need dusting and 5 of the 9 lightbulbs need to be replaced. But it was acceptable for one night. The ceiling fan was running well. The temperature outside was close to 30C at 02:00.
In Roy's words it was beer o'clock so I had a Stella on my veranda. Most of the guests were departing to presumably catch the first flight to Cairo. After 03:00 the hotel was very quiet.
On Tuesday morning my cat was waiting and pleased to see me ar breakfast. She still likes her morning bread, cheese and omelette. Licking the cheese wrapper is of course part of our protocol.
A few people used the pool in the morning. It was warm, overcast and very humid. There were reports of heavy rain at Abu Simbel so the chance of a sprinkling in Luxor later.
After fighting with the Internet for several hours I decamped to the RRH at about 15:00. No foreign tourists in sight. The internet there was equally challenging although I was able to get a signal from Panorama café further down the road. A couple of Stellae and a few greetings passed with all the Egyptians who call in ...
Mohamed now has 3 goats on site as well as the usual dogs and a cat. One of the goats is heavily pregnant, and a corner of the garden has been sheltered for her - where the dogs usually raise their pups. Naturally the subject of barbecued suckling kid was raised!
I didn't get to Fayrouz until 21:30. I was the only customer there, but the food and service were good.
Having transferred to my usual room 105 earlier in the day, I checked it out. All lights working. My bags from storage will be delivered on Wednesday, and I should also get a fridge. But the Internet was still pathetic.
I have edited this post using my personal Internet access, so I hope that it reaches you all. I've gone on quite long enough, so news about the new building work in the garden must wait for another day.