Three planes, a train and a broken shoe :-(

Today promised the delights of a ‘three flight’ travel day to a destination, which if flown direct, would take two hours. But no no no… I left my house at 6am this morning and I’ll be lucky if I hit my hotel in Cadiz, Spain, by 9pm tonight. This is par for the course when joining the ship here as there are no direct flights from Manchester and I have indeed taken this route, or the same in reverse, several times over the last few years. You would think then I’d have prepared myself better. I tried. I brought socks incase my feet got cold on the plane, I wore layers so I could adjust accordingly to said temperature, I packed relatively light as I’m only away for four nights.I even ate a small snack at Heathrow as I knew Iberia didn’t provide an in-flight meal service. I however, did not contend for the fact that I am well aware that Madrid Airport Terminal Four is one of the longest in Europe, and that because the UK is not part of the European Schengen visa system it invariably means the flights that arrive from the UK do so at the complete opposite end of the terminal to the domestic flight that I am taking from Madrid to Jerez. This time was the most extreme example as the gate I arrived at was literally THE furthest away gate from which I am departing. One far end of the terminal to the other. My flight inbound to Madrid was delayed so I set off marching as fast as my little legs and rucksack laden body would carry me.. hoping that the onward flight would be retarded a little also.

However, in true Jayne Curry style, I had chosen shoes to match my scarf and so I was in fact careering through the airport in six inch wedges like a slightly flustered, possibly less hairy Kardashian sister. I was determined not to run as to be honest my backpack was already battering the base of my spine with worrying frequency and everyone knows that sweating in public is just not becoming of a lady. Nevertheless, I pursued my mission, target in view, ignoring ‘Zara’, ‘Mc Donalds’ and the place that sells nice cured ham and focused on the task in hand. It was a long way. And just as I seriously thought the end was in sight, up pops a sign that says ‘K Gates..9 minutes walk’. Thats all well and good for people with well proportioned legs and sensible footwear but unfortunately now fitting neither of those categories I had to adopt a gentle jog to the gate, aware not only that I look ridiculous running in heels but that I was not wearing a sports bra and was in grave danger of giving myself two black eyes. 

Arms folded tightly across my bosom to suppress the motion I made the gate with a couple of minutes to spare I was grateful for the laid back, European “mañana” style attitude I was greeted with by the staff taking my boarding pass. I only hoped this same mantra was not currently being adopted by the baggage handlers, responsible for transferring my luggage from one flight to the next. Don’t get me wrong, I like the scarf and wedge combination I am currently travelling in, but I don’t want to wear it on stage!

On boarding the small aircraft scheduled for the 45 minute connecting flight to cadiz, the aisle seemed unusually small and parading through to row 15 proved a little more difficult when carrying a backpack full of sheet music. I took my time and was careful not to bang into the already seated passengers, smiling and ‘Ola’-ing to the best of my ability. I could smell the guy in the next seat to me before I even sat down. It was a combination of two day old KFC and an apparent distain for hygiene products. I have become an accomplished mouth breather since flying so frequently and I squeezed into my less than capacious seat and attempted to settle. 

“OOO I’ll just get my laptop out so I can write my blog on the flight” I thought to myself. And though the aircraft was still filling I attempted to wangle out the the bag I had just so precariously wedged under the seat in front of me. In doing so I lost my balance, stood on my own shoe and fell into the lap of the unsuspecting and now somewhat overwhelmed gentlemen in the aisle seat opposite. Graciously he helped me to my feet and looked down at my now bedraggled Michael Kors wedge which now has half of the cord piping hanging off the side of the shoe. They are my favourite “mildly inappropriate for travelling, but still do-able” shoe and I was as vexed at the state of my orange old faithfuls as I was embarrassed at sandwiching the poor guy into his seat. 

Well after a fairly uneventful flight I waited with baited breath at the carousel hoping my bag had made the transfer and a little giddy at the prospect I might even make the 17.41pm train from Jerez airport to Cadiz. All seemed to be going just too well when my bag came bouncing along the belt and I almost kissed it. Aware of the time, I chose not to change my broken shoes at this point and instead teetered as quickly as possible to find the nearest signs of a train station. I was feeling pretty smug at myself for having ‘beaten the system’. Not all cruise lines pay for a transfer to the ship for guest entertainers, some instead choosing to give you money towards that travel. In Europe especially, this money rarely covers the actual cost so in knowing that a taxi from Jerez to Cadiz would have cost me the best part of €100 I instead opted to google the public transport options yesterday before I left and discovered that there was indeed a train from the airport straight to Cadiz which takes an hour. Result!

So here I am currently at the train station waiting for a train… a train that has only cost me €4 and feeling pretty pleased with myself.. until the train didn’t arrive, no one on the platform, including the announcement lady speaks English and there are no seats. The next train is scheduled for an hours time so I am perched on the edge of a step thats covered in bird poo wondering if this is the image people at home have of me… I bet they think I’m chaffeur driven and business class all the way. Instead the reality is I’m sitting in bird poop after falling on a stranger, in broken shoes, watching the sunset with a rumbling tummy. At some point today I’m sure I’ll get to my hotel.

I have only one cruise in November this year as December sees me embark on a new adventure. I need the time with family and friends before I go and we’re even having a fake christmas together in a few weeks as I won’t be here for the real thing. As of December 1st I will be based out of Florida for the majority of the winter season. I will stay at the other side of the atlantic till Feb 12th before coming home for a 17 day break then heading back stateside till April 17th. I will be ship hopping most of this time with an occasional lay over in some of the Caribbean islands and a few days off here and there in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Don’t get me wrong, I KNOW how lucky I am that Celebrity Cruises have given me this opportunity and I am beyond excited to embark on the venture. It is however, the longest period of time I will have gone without seeing my parents and family and though Steve will fortunately hopefully be traveling with me for a month of that time, I’m not sure how I’ll fair without seeing my folks. The wonders of modern technology obviously prescribe that whilst Steve and I are on a beach in Curacao on Christmas day. we’ll be able to have a ‘cyber beer’ with my folks online as they celebrate with my brother’s in-laws in Manchester. But it won’t be the same and though I have worked away at Christmas before, I’m apprehensive as much as I am excited about the prospect before me. I am however, delighted to be working exclusively for Celebrity during this period and very much looking forward to introducing new songs by my arranger Jennifer Watson and some new dresses designed and made by my costumier/corset maker Emma at Elysium Corsets, Blackburn.

 I love a fresh challenge, I love the sun, I love shopping malls in Florida, PF Changs, watching the Caribbean sunset, entertaining for a living and bringing in the new year in style. So I’m lucky that the end of this spectacular year concertinas perfectly into the start of the next one for me… though if I have to sit on this step for much longer I’m pretty sure I’m going to seize up completely and I’l still be sat at Jerez train station on December 25th.

OK, I’m giving in… I’m opening my case and getting my flats out :-(

… wait… holy pigeon poop… the train is here...