Manchester airport shocker...

A late afternoon flight (5:15) afforded a relaxed journey to the dark side. That all evaporated at the car park - drop off / pick up lumped in with those wanting to park produced nasty queuing. Entrance had 4 lanes in that merged into 1. Terrible planning. Chunnered for a while. Hit the terminal to find all seemed quiet - worried about tempting providence before tackling security but literally no queue. Straight to the scan & didn't need to empty bags. Could it be that there would be a passable Mancunian experience. Once through - comfy chairs and no screaming kids - is this the fabled out of school holiday travel? Bizarrely seat allocation had been either side of the aisle. Hopeful that a quiet airport would suggest a quiet plane & so it transpired - cheery greetings either side of the air bridge & the promise of emergency exit seats that they charge £30 for - half full & no-one allocated to the seats. Can't think why. Extra leg room for free. Watched the sun set over Holland & onwards to a late arrival in Croatia. Apparently the keys to the villa would be in the door - sounds like a trusting little village. As it happened the arrival was early & with a half full plane the queue at customs, though the biggest all day was fairly insignificant. No bags to claim & everyone else seemed to be on a package with bags and a transfer - no queue at the car hire. Little Corsa & very dark & steep 20 min drive to the cottage. That said the directions given were spot on. Parked & the owner appeared as if by magic. Cottage all good - apparently the pool is a bit cold - we'll see...Read more