Thursday 8^th August, 2019 8 miles high, 0900

Despite having a later night than I would have preferred, getting up at 0445 was not really a problem. Shower and coffee (brought with me, just as well, nothing provided by the hotel), read the news, repacked and it was time to check out. The free bus was leaving at six. Not the ideal vehicle for airport shuttles, after all, the majority of passengers will have luggage but there was no place to stow them other than in the cabin. We managed.

Unusually, at the check-in area there was a small queue in the VIP lane. I guessed it was because the airport hadn't long opened for the day and the first handful of flights were making sure they never missed theirs.

After yesterday and my “bad mouth” I hadn't said a word but I couldn't help but remember when the other Alice was refused a boarding pass and I had to jump through hoops to rectify matters. Today, no problem!

In fact I could even get a cold beer in the exec lounge or wine if I wanted. Alice was like a puppy on a polished toilet seat. So excited to be flying for the second time, visiting Shanghai for the first time and meeting Joanna, Roland, Rabbit, Mulan and anyone else we come across. So she got herself some breakfast (typical Chinese offerings which I never eat) and in between mouthfuls she watched the information screen like a hawk. Now, I'm reasonable at recognising numbers in Chinese announcements, in fact I now find it easier to recite my mobile number in Chinese than English – I have to think about it! So I knew to listen for chi eee joh but when you pay not to travel in economy, the lounge tells you when your flight is boarding.

But oh no! Alice saw “Final Call” on the screen – I am sure that is posted the moment they open boarding – and was immediately concerned. I told her to ask the girl on the desk while I went to the loo and sure enough, it was now boarding and there was still half an hour before take off time.

Not sure what happened but I thing the reception girl forgot our flight. We had to wait downstairs for the VIP bus which I reckon already took the other 6 front cabin passengers and returned. Even then when we got on we had to sit and wait until ten minutes before take-off before the bus moved.

Friday 9^th 1600

We actually made it without incident to Shanghai and our hotel. Took a little longer than expected but fine for just dumping our bags with left luggage before checking in then popping round the corner to the Flying Fox. Alice very nearly finished an all day breakfast and I had a couple of pints of Guinness before we came back, checked in and took a nap. It had been a tiring morning.

In the evening it was a rendezvous with Roland at Big Bamboo then off to the Kerry Parkside hotel for a buffet dinner. Waste of money on me given the amount I eat but the other two filled their boots. I did my best to justify the endless two-hour booze package we opted for. A good buffet, my capacity was the disappointment. Afterwards we went to the White Horse where there was some pretty decent live music, not something I normally do except in Shanghai!

Hands up, what with the hectic day and copious liquids, I did get a bit pickled, so this morning I felt slightly under par. I did though attempt breakfast. There are western offerings which had they been less than stone cold might have been reasonable but hour-old fried eggs, tepid sausages and bacon didn't quite cut the mustard for me. Maybe tomorrow if I make it, I will content myself with cereal.