The rental car return works surprisingly well, we are half expecting for them to find something or to keep our gas deposit but all is well and they return the deposit also. We walk then to the terminal and after passing through security we look for the lounge. We find it fast as the terminal is small but there is no one to sign us in and we have to wait and even search inside until someone finally come for the check in. Otherwise there are very few people inside which suits us great.
The food and drinks are reasonably good and we enjoy our stay before our plane is announced and we have to go to the gate.
Surprisingly we have to walk from the terminal to the airport, no bus no anything. We have seen this previously at other airports but not in Europe so we didn’t expect it here either.
The arrival in Manchester is uneventful and our hotel is connected to the airport which makes for an easy find. On the way we find out that our relatives cannot make it this evening due to some adventures with their plane tickets but luckily they are able to cancel their hotel room just in time. We are hoping they are going to be able to make it the next day in the morning but who knows so that adds a bit of stress to the evening.
At least the hotel upgraded us which is great, we have a beautiful view of this area of Manchester as we go to sleep.
In the morning with our relatives expected to arrive in the late morning we go through all the preparatory steps for the trip without them to be ready to leave as soon as they arrive. So we check out of the hotel, we pick up the car and then, what? Our original plan is to eat at the airport but we find out that there is no way to park or pick up someone without paying lots of money. So we ask the relatives to tell us when they arrive so we can pick them up as fast as possible and make our way to a nearby bakery to eat breakfast. At least here there is a free parking garage and surprisingly an open air mall with the bakery one store between many others.
With a couple sandwiches in our hand we explore the mall. We likely look like homeless people as we eat and drink while walking but it is quite cold outside and there is also a lack of benches in the area.
At least the starlings do not care as they themselves are beggars and try to get some crumbs from us. As we walk around we are reminded that somehow, completely unplanned, we are here exactly during the coronation of the new king and every store is trying to somehow jump on the bandwagon. And then we get the call, it is time to return to the airport to pick the relatives. The cheaper option for pick up is very poorly marked but we somehow make it and meet them and on we go on our exploration of Wales.
