Thursday, March 4/2016

Task for the day accomplished. Researched all options for flying back to London, made somewhat more difficult by Easter's situating itself near the end of March, so that our frequent practice of going elsewhere between Cyprus and London runs up against Easter holiday prices and crowds. Reject flights which arrive at Gatwick after midnight (EasyJet) or leave here before dawn (some Aegean). Factor in extra charges for luggage, becoming pretty heavy with all airlines, but not optional for us at the end of the season. Taunted by a number of sites with warnings to hurry - only two seats available at this price, they say, undoubtedly accurately. Eventually reject also flights arriving after 8 pm. If they're late it becomes difficult to reach the hotel before midnight, which seems unfair to Nick, who has the pleasure of waiting up for us, although last time he was extremely gracious about our 1 am arrival. Ignore slight suspicion that Nick doesn't really mind as he can claim exemption from bedmaking duty in the morning on account of his previous late night shift.

In the end, there is surprisingly little difference between so-called discount airlines and regular ones. Much less than in November when, admittedly, fewer people are probably headed for the Mediterranean. Settle on British Airways, where we do get to trade in some of our few remaining points for €36 off the total price. Nicest thing, other than their very civilised approach to free pre-dinner drinks and wine, is the fact that there are never any unpleasant surprises - no nasty downsizing of carry-ons or exorbitant charges for should-be-freebies. So April 12th it is, the latest we've ever left Cyprus.