26th June 2022

 As I finish packing, cramming the last few items in an already full case, I reflect on all the travel difficulties we’ve faced over the last few years. In 2019, plans to see our children in Maine were in full swing. A kennel had been booked for elderly Bruno, our French rescue dog, flights to the US reserved and hotels booked at Heathrow, Boston and Portland. But then Covid hit and I was forced to cancel everything. Virgin Atlantic at first refused a refund until, eventually, themselves having to cancel the flight, they gave us our money back. For the two hotels booked via Booking.com and Expedia, I never did get a refund. Fast forward to today. I’ve booked directly with each hotel, and I’m about to print boarding passes. We no longer need a kennel as, sadly, Bruno passed away. But still problems have overwhelmed us at every stage - from anxiety over mandatory pre-departure Covid tests 24h before, to digital Esta forms, to new biometric passports, threats of airport disruption, no trains and insufficient baggage handlers, etc. Thought holidays were supposed to be for relaxation. Will we finally get to see our children in Maine?  Wait for the next exciting(!) episode…