Friday 30^th July, 2021 0820

Zhongchuan "International" Airport

I would love to report that at the time of writing I am sitting at 32,000 feet and halfway to Kunming. But I can't.

For the first time in my life I was refused boarding.

You could be forgiven for instantly assuming “Ha! He was pissed!” I wasn't.

What happened was: after the courtesy shuttle bus from the airport, with an impossibly high entrance meaning someone had to shove my arse to give me a hand and getting out I ended up sitting on the floor, we went through initial security, checked in and were on our way to a final pat-down and the business lounge.

Before we got there I came over all peculiar, to use the vernacular. I honestly thought I was going to collapse in the middle of the concourse and it was a feeling I have never experienced before. I stopped to lean on the desk where you surrender your lighter and such and rather stupidly (with hindsight) disposed of mine. I was in a cold sweat.

Alice was most solicitous, asking if I needed a wheelchair. Initially I demurred, I didn't want the embarrassment, however seeing as all I wanted to do was sit somewhere and sleep I acquiesced. Alice went to get a wheelchair and she returned with one, into which I gratefully collapsed.

Then she wheeled me in the wrong direction. Where are we going? To the doctor. I don't need a doctor, I need a seat and a sleep! They insisted so they can be sure you can fly.

Bloody marvellous. Wish I hadn't said anything but had I not I feel I would have crumpled like Spurs' dreams of ever being champions again and it would have been far worse. Ok, let's see the doctor and they will clear me.

Only she didn't. She may as well have ripped up my boarding card. Refused boarding. Why? My blood pressure was too LOW! I suppose for someone who without medication would register something in the order of 180/120 I should be proud but I have to say it really didn't please me. I think I was 64/46 when she took it, so low in fact she buggered off to get another machine in case the other one was faulty. It wasn't.

End result? Bumped off to the next flight 12½ hours later! And then only if my BP is up a bit. So although the flight change for both of us was done free of charge, another 200¥ for another airport hotel to get some rest. Well you didn't think I was going to snooze in a chair in the lounge in an airport where there is absolutely no smoking for 12 hours did you?

I just pray my pressure is up later because until I have seen the doctor I will be denied access to the flight.