"Sometimes there is saddness"

It is Tuesday morning. We fly Delta out of Terminal 3.
We have made this flight before. London to Minneapolis and home to Phoenix. It is a long journey. There is a four hour layover in Minneapolis. The flight home to Phoenix is always full.
The last time we stayed at the Millennium Gloucester, Betty did not join me for their Continental Breakfast on the sixth floor dining room.
I enjoyed the breakfast greatly. It is a full buffet breakfast. There are newspapers to read and television morning news shows. We have become familiar and annoyed with Good Morning Britain with Piers Morgan plus ego. But, it is fun to watch an ass being an ass. To add to the charm, his cohorts and guests are often asses.
Betty doe not see the charm. I am sure part of the lack of enthusiasm is the day ahead.
We have packed for the final time. We have gained room as the days have passed as we discard items as they are used. So there is room for our souvenirs which are  books, notebooks, postcards ...
I pay the bill. We cross Courtfield Rd to Gloucester Rd Station. I put a few pounds on one the Oyster Cards. The other should be sufficient. Heathrow is outside the basic zones which simply means that it cost slightly more.
We are reasonable comfortable. We are following the same route that we took to end our journey to Cambridge. There is always a little nervousness the first time. The map says that all the Piccadilly line trains stop at all Heathrow Terminals. we have to take them at their word.
It is a little after 8AM.  It is not a short ride. We have fourteen stations between us and Terminal 3. The train fills with people with luggage. We have seats.
The map is correct. Terminal 3 is a stop. We pass our Oyster Cards over the reader. We take the elevator up and exit outside the new Terminal 3. Two years ago, Terminal 3 was under construction or being renovated.We flew Delta out of Terminal 4.
We are on time for International travel. I check the Delta desk and they confirm that we can proceed to security. I had checked in and downloaded our boarding passes last night.
Security is crowded. There is swiftly moving line. Shoes off. 3-1-1 bags out. Jacket off. Belts off. Computer and phone separate. There is a full body scan. Again, for some reason. my stuff gets a second look.
We turn into the ubiquitous "Duty Free" shopping zone. This time I am going to buy something. I did not buy any liquor during our journey. I would have drunk it. Secondly, it is heavy. Thirdly, the bottle is breakable.
Betty finds a place to sit. I check the overhead boarding. Remember, allegedly, they do not post gate until 20 minutes before boarding. It is not true. There is a secret because every time we are the last to arrive.
I wonder over to the "duty free" liquor. I look over the inventory and nothing jumps out. I want a Scots whiskey and something not to common. I want to avoid a whiskey that is too peaty. I ask the staff person walking around and he is not helpful at all. I chose a bottle of Kikkoman. It proves to be a good choice.
We have a light early lunch. it is an eleven hour flight. We are in economy.
Our flight is listed on the board. We have had two prior experience flying out of Europe. The first was Amsterdam which was not easy. Our flight two years ago out of Heathrow which was easy. This time it was so-so. Simply, a hassle.
We again go through a security check - passport and boarding pass. We then enter a large room with not enough seats for the number of people. The room is stuffy. The passengers segregated by class. The class system never disappeared. It lives and thrives in the airline industry.
Obviously, our concern is access to the overhead bins. We should not be concerned. Who travels to Europe with carry-on and backpack?
Betty takes the aisle seat and I take the window. We settle in. Apparently, liquor, wine or beer are not a money maker for Delta. I think they came by twice in eleven hours. Ah. Air France.
It is a long flight chasing the sun. It is like a time machine. You take off in London at 11:55 AM and arrive the same day at 2:00 PM.
It is difficult to sleep. We have been through Minneapolis International Terminal before. We use GOES and it is fantastic. This time, it is not as fantastic. My GOES has been flagged. The Custom officers are very nice. I realize the problem and my explanation is accepted.The officer says he will try to correct the problem. We will see at the next trip. The delay is only ten minutes.
Two years ago, the long layover was not difficult. I think it was a combination of not knowing the flight was a full medium size plane on a three hour trip. Also , I think the seats and the loss of amenities is a large part of the discomfort that is now flying.
We wait. We have coffee. The service is slow and inattentive. I am tired and grumpy.
Finally, the flight is listed. we walk over to the gate. We hold our breath for overhead space. We gate check our carry-ons. What can go wrong on a direct flight at the end of the day.
I have a middle seat. The people on either side of me are quiet and not large. I doze for an hour or so. I watch the screen in front of me. Finally, the mesage - "we will be landing ..."
Betty' sister meets outside. It is late almost eleven. It is past midnight. We are exhausted. We have a little jet lag the next day. And, it takes about two to three days to adjust. But, overall not bad.
Epilogue. Or, what I learnt this time.