Flight to Frankfurt - Aug 7, 2011 - Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany

We woke to rain once again, breaking the good day/bad day cycle. We did some packing then had breakfast and went with Nan to her Church. It is a small, Baptist Church in Bo'ness. There were about 40 in attendance. It was also communion, which in Scotland is celebrated every Sunday, with once a month having it at the evening service rather than the morning one.

We returned to Nan's and finished packing and had lunch. We talked for a short while and Nan took us to the Edinburgh Airport. Even to drop passengers, the car must be paid for. We have never been confronted by this any where else, and it does not apply to Glasgow Airport, so it is not a case of the penny-pinching Scots!

We had a short wait to check in at the BMI desk, though it was a Lufthansa flight. We went through security and only Christine's case raised questions: she had packed her jewellery box on top of her camera and that, apparently, was a problem. I was sure it was my bag that had caused the problem as it is loaded with a computer, mp3 player, movie camera, digital camera and a good assortment of cables, adapters, battery chargers and suchlike, but no, it was Christine's. Problem solved by running the case through with the camera and jewellery separately and we were on our way. Christine got some snacks and I had a browse round the stores while she ate. When I came back, I bought some eats and Christine went to see the shops while I ate. We went to the gate and waited to be called. While we thought the boarding was late for the departure time, with German precision the plane departed the gate precisely at the appointed time of 1605. We had a good flight in an really nice plane. We contrasted it with the ramshackle American Airlines planes we had used a couple of months ago getting to Boston. The good feeling about the flight was slightly dented by arriving at Frankfurt Airport and being disgorged onto the tarmac and bussed to the terminal building. We had to stand all the way, but at least it was dry. We then went up two floors to immigration, down a floor and a long walk, then down another floor to ground level where we collected our luggage. Mine was off reasonably quickly, but Christine's took somewhat longer.

We checked where we have to meet the Jerry van Dyke group tomorrow, then found the hotel which is adjacent to the airport. We got checked in and a very helpful porter helped us with the luggage to our room.

Now we are ready for an early morning as we have to be at the airport for 7:00 a.m., so we will be asleep - we hope - shortly.