Gatwick has been expanded and was much more crowded than I have ever seen it before. Sarah kindly gave Oli and me a lift to the airport and came to see us off. On the Gatwick to Madrid flight we met Eric, a Frenchman who manages an advertising company in Madrid.

We had four and a half hours to wait in Madrid and spent it outside, watching life go by. The police were trying to keep abreast of the traffic problems with little success. They were taking their time getting a Mercedes towed away. It was double parked and blocking a couple of other cars in. The owner returned with his family. Between them they eventually found enough money to persuade the policeman to dismiss the tow truck.

Once in the departure lounge we played rummy until we were allowed through to our flight. On the Madrid to San Domingo leg, the in-flight movie was "Return of the Pink Panther". The service was lousy, and the stewards and stewardesses were unsmiling and unhelpful. Iberia is a poor airline to fly with. The San Domingo transit lounge is stylish and full of duty free shops. This is where I shall buy Joy’s cigarettes on the way home.