London-Mexico

0956 On FCC train at London Bridge about to leave for Gatwick. Not feeling too much of a tosser in the tuxedo yet; at least in my head it's the bow tie that really attracts attention. Z is insisting we all meet at the airport at 1030 and check in together. (I am checked in online, but IKWSM.) So we can all go through security fully dressed and attract maximum attention. I've always wondered what a fully cavity search is like. Still, we must submit to humiliation and inconvenience to preserve our liberty.

Snow flakes in the air (and in my heart :-) ) but not on the ground. I think it's about 3C but fortunately there's not too much wind so it's not too uncomfortable, not that I'm out in it much (especially now). Wearing a T-shirt under the shirt because I was worried I'd be too cold en route to airport. Probably not a bad idea anyway, I think JR suggested it might be useful for the plane as it may be cool on there and I may not want to keep this jacket on for comfort reasons.

Didn't want to get up this morning but did manage it eventually at 0850ish. Ideally would have left home a bit earlier (actually left about 0935) but been lucky with connections and barring a problem with this train I will be there about the expected time. Which is good, as it will keep the bow tie wearing discomfort and wankery interval down to two hours. (The flight takes off at 1230 so I guess I should be in my seat by 1220ish, and there is no way I'm keeping the tie on then, so no one better ask!)

1049 Dropped bag. Stupidly left my 'security belt' in the checked in bag - I had slipped it in when took it off due to tuxedo (tucked in shirt) awkwardness. Gave me a bit of a jitter but as long as bag doesn't get lost it's OK, I have all the stuff I need for flight in my hand luggage anyway. Just annoying.

1157 On plane. Row going on just behind me about some people who have been let down by their seat reservations; ground staff getting involved. Thank fk I managed to get my aisle seat. Javaria and Ed are I believe sat in the row ahead of me so they get the emergency exit row; I guess that's the upside of taking a chance on seat allocation at the airport, since Virgin don't let you book it in advance. I can't actually see them but I am sure they said row 75 (I am in 76C) - Javaria was just behind me as we came on so not sure where they are, maybe I got confused. Not too worried; I know it's maybe a bit antisocial but on a flight I prefer not to have to worry about social niceties.

Row still going on about the seats behind me. Cabin crew member is doing broken record and saying ground staff's word goes. I think the woman who has the seat they want is willing to swap (though not clear) and they might be insisting anyway. The woman who has the seat isn't saying anything, not sure if she is there. I do feel for those guys, believe me. I am sure it could happen on any airline but it is something that would put me off flying Virgin again, given how keen I am on aisle seat. I just hope I am OK on return flight; those guys also checked in online and apparently had the seat they expected right up to the gate or something. Fingers crossed and at least if I am fked on return flight I will hopefully be a) more relaxed and b) on my way home (so less 'excited' but also less 'stressed').

Oh, I got asked to take off the ID badge I was wearing for the James Bond theme stuff in case I got mistaken for crew. Not a big deal, just mentioning it.

J did say they were getting changed and I wonder if that's why I don't recognise the glimpse of them I see through the crack in the seat in front. I don't have a handy change of clothes but it's not too bad, though am a bit annoyed if that was the plan and I didn't know. It was probably on Facebook.

1415 Feeling not too bad at all. Brought Hugh Thomson's "Tequila Oil" with me, which I got for Christmas over a year ago (possibly two) and never read. Very entertaining indeed, possibly also a good way to pick up a few words more Spanish. Feeling a bit 'jealous' because I never got to do any of that kind of stuff, but maybe 38 is the new 18 and it's not too late.

Don't think I said before most (not all - J and Ed are somewhere up here) of the group are sat together. I didn't try to change my seat, given I have some minor personal issues which make me nervous about flying right now (though I feel fine at the moment) I didn't want to risk losing my aisle seat and although sitting with the group would probably have been OK, frankly I'd rather get to know them over a beer or two than on a plane. As it is I can read my book or whatever without feeling compelled to be sociable. To paraphrase If...., "Fly. Socialise. But don't mix the two."

The menu for the flight - fk, they have a menu! - is not mega promising. Far too much sauce on the meals for my liking. But I may be OK with bangers & mash, and frankly airline food is usually so 'airliney' that sauces which would be a problem in a restaurant can sometimes be moderately tolerable.

Tiny tiny bit of turbulence now, just bumpy road stuff, no biggie. Wouldn't mention it if I hadn't been writing this anyway. Stayed up til 2am last night because didn't feel like going to bed and also figured as long as I didn't oversleep if I was a bit tired today I'd be more likely to sleep on flight (I haven't felt any drowsiness yet, though unless - it didn't - that just-got-on-board somnolence hit me, that's hardly surprising). Was reading onebag.com (more for entertainment than advice, though it did make me move my torch from my main bag to my daypack) and happened to come across the claim that aircraft are tested to a point that the wings would never come off during turbulence without the occupants all having been killed by the violent motion first.

1502 Just eaten. Gravy on the sausage and mash was pretty thick so I scraped it off the sausages and ate just them. Not really hungry, but seemed prudent to eat what I could and it does after all pass the time. Had a G&T earlier and got a beer with the meal, which I have saved for after. Cabin attendant told me to be careful opening it so maybe it will explode in my face; I shall try to keep my mouth open.

1524 I should say - I mean, it's fascinating - that with my usual foresightedness I bought some sausage rolls at Tesco so I could eat something this morning before I left. I'd have had a proper meal but not with such an early start. The foresightedness was however just something which crossed my mind last night; I don't think I'd normally have bothered.

Oh, at the bag drop/check in there was some suggestion we'd go into the V-lounge or whatever, but since we only had maybe an hour airside anyway we didn't. Good job as it was twenty odd quid; one poor chap had paid anyway as they asked when he checked in. Even in a tuxedo I clearly look too cheap for them to try upselling me. :-) (Also my check in woman looked about fifty and acted about seventy, there was this weird half-awake languidness about her.)

On the way through duty free we (I had no active part, natch) posed for a photo round the grand piano at the Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey (or whatever) stand and got a small free shot.

1625 J just tapped me on the shoulder to ask how flight was going; she is sat behind me on other side of aisle. Not sure where Ed is. She mentioned the problem with the seats; maybe she was 'the woman' from earlier. It's hardly a mystery I must have solved before I can rest, but would be interesting to know the full story. I suspect it may come out in general conversation later.

1706 Just finished book. Very good, shall have to check out the numerous books referenced and maybe also the film Touch of Evil.

Turned in-flight map on a bit ago, 6h 9m to go. Bored. Back hurts a bit. May see if there are any interesting films on offer, failing that I have books and music on my phone.

Wondering if I should adjust my watch/phone to Cancun time now. Probably doesn't matter. Six hours difference; if I write it down maybe I'll remember. Sod it, I will switch to Cancun time.

1251 Just watched Moonrise Kingdom. I did have some interest in seeing this when it came out. Not bad, I suspect it would repay a second viewing (but not on this flight).

My nose seems to be getting blocked on one nostril. I will save the excitement of blowing it for later. Still about four and a half hours to go, well, maybe more like four. Some other possible films to watch but I might see if I can drowse with some music.

Cabin crew came and asked if they could take my blanket if I wasn't using it, apparently a baby wants one. I am just such a hell of a nice guy.

I see the film was rated PG-13 for "sexual content and smoking".

1413 Watched a rather poor Simpsons episode and now listening to Half Man Half Biscuit. Been to the bog to stretch my legs and empty various orifices, including my nose. Aaaah. The extra oxygen inflow is making me dizzy.

ETA is 1721.

Still finding the idea of travelling with people odd. Has its advantages of course. I can presumably get to the hotel on virtual autopilot since I will just go with the crowd. Want to withdraw some cash at the airport, although it's less critical since I'm not on my own, I'll still feel a lot happier with some local currency in my pocket.

Damn well hope my bag isn't misrouted or stolen, since I have minimal non-tuxedo clothing otherwise and it has my tablets in since it contains the security belt. Fingers crossed, I guess it's not very likely. Would be a pisser but not the end of the world. Hey, it might get me out of the visit to the XaHaWotsit eco lagoon place which I believe is on tomorrow's itinerary but sounds way too water-based for my tastes. (Haven't studied my guide book much. I don't know how much time I will need to occupy on my own initiative. If time permits me to visit that archaelogical site whose name escapes me (about 400km as the crow flies from Cancun, as measured by my finger on the screen) I will be well satisfied. This is a different kind of trip to what I'm used to so have to treat it as such. It may simply be too far to go over to that site anyway, but I will see how the land lies in terms of buses, organised tours and free time after the first day or two. For example, if there is a bus terminal round the corner from the hotel it will be easy to make enquiries, otherwise it may slip.

"Surging out of convalesence". Strong contender for best song ever.

Do wonder if I should be writing this on blog as I feel a bit constrained since Z may read it. On the other hands, it is monumentally unlikely (especially if I am discrete about making blog entries and only do it in private and thus don't remind her), I am not really saying anything wrong and I do sort of like - even though I don't expect anyone to read it - having this blog. Somehow it is just slightly different to (say) sending e-mails to myself, even though I am basically writing this to look back on myself not for anyone else. Meh.

I suppose maybe it's the idea that these wafflings are out there practically anonymously and one day someone might do an obscure search and find an odd charm in the mundanity of it all. (I've certainly had that happen to me occasionally.)

Phone battery is at 62% so should easily last. I have two charged spares in my bag anyway.

1516 I must say they are doing fairly well at providing frequent food and drink. Can't help feeling there is a bit of a feeding time at the zoo quality whenever the trolley comes past. Listening to "Crest of a Knave".

1546 "A Humpty Dumpty Thing". 1.5h to go. Perhaps it's the same group thing mentioned earlier but I haven't (yet, at least) got that "shit, the flight will be over soon and I'll have to do stuff" feeling I sometimes get. I guess it's the flight equivalent of not wanting to get out of bed. ;-)

1629 "Le Pop". Mainly for "Demon Kitty Rag", though it's a good album. We just got told to put our seat backs upright. We are 468km away. Surely this is too soon? I just hope they don't make us turn electrical devices off too soon. 45 mins eta.

1748 In queue from hell for immigration. They were so insistent before we got off that we had our passports in our hands as we left the plane. Bwahahaha.

We had to wait a few extra mins to get off so some paramedics could get on board to help a passenger who hadn't been feeling well.

Baggage reclaim is after immigration, which seems somehow wrong. Am solo in the queue, I assume the others are elsewhere (I was very late getting off due to not seieng any reason to force my way off in a hurry) and I will meet them at baggage reclaim.

1918 Reunited with my bag, an emotional moment. Suspect got through immigration no more than 10 minutes ago. No sign of others yet and my mobile doesn't seem to be working. Will hang on maybe 30 mins (perhaps less) then make my own way. Be good if phone would work tho as don't want them waiting for me.

2118 In room.