Boarding the flight was a breeze. We made ourselves known at the gate and there were no issues with us boarding first. In fact, when they called people to board, the first group called included those “who might need a little extra time settling into the plane”. This was important as it meant that at no time did it feel that we were getting special treatment. If only these small allowances were made throughout life. However, by making ourselves known, the lady at the gate went out of her way to explain to Victoria that we would be walking down some stairs and across the tarmac, then up the stairs to the plane. A small thing but one that was very much appreciated – Victoria knew what to expect. This was better than using an airbridge too as it meant she got a proper look at the plane we would be entering, helping to familiarise herself with where we were about to enter.
Being able to board first was important as V’s anxiety started to climb the minute we sat down. This was all new, very different and pretty noisy. I became very aware of just how noisy a plane is for the first time. If my car made these noisy whilst moving at 5mph I’d be worried, but the whirring, clanking and whining noises are all perfectly normal on a taxiing plane. And all very scary to an already-anxious child.
Top tip here: noise-cancelling headphones! I don’t need much of an excuse to buy some tech but last week a bought a couple of pairs of Sony headphones. Lots are available, many designed for children although the Sonys I went for were adult earphones that fit V and Emily fine as they are not the largest, over-ear style. Both girls had them on and were quickly fixated with a film on the iPad before take off.
Take off was the scariest part for Victoria but she and Emily handled it brilliantly. V had her choice of window seat but shorty after take off wanted to swap seats to get away from the view of the green and pleasant land disappearing below us. Or brown and pleasant land as it now appears to be. Emily took the window seat and promptly fell asleep. I hate it when people do that…
15 minutes to landing and the seatbelt sign is back on. Emily’s ears are hurting but V still deeply focussed on the iPad. Mummy and Daddy finish their wine and it’s a case of so far so good. It was at this point that we told the girls what was happening next. I’m not sure how much made sense to them as I described how we would leave the plane, go through security and get our cases. It was only as we walked towards security that we saw the dreaded COVID desks. Most people were wearing masks on the plane ( at the request of the cabin crew due to this being a legal requirement in Spain) but so far this trip had been free of any reminders of ‘Rona and luckily a quick can of our covid passes and we were through.
The early start and everything that comes with travelling abroad has taken its toll so all 3 of my travelling companions are sound asleep as we schlep across Majorca en-route to our resort. Time for a nap myself…
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