Not entirely sure when the next few posts will get onto the net - I am traveling and have limited email and internet access.

Tuesday 10th April - Phoenix
Just spent 10 and a half hours on a plane. Even in business class, with a 'lie-flat' seat it's not good. Better than cattle class but still not good.

Leaving LHR was the usual mess. Loads of jobsworth security guys (and gals) whose only aim in life is to make everyone else's life a misery.

Then the world's favourite airline were up to their usual tricks. The flight was an hour late, but did we get any updates from the ground staff - did we hell. Had there been an announcement, I could have gone and got a coffee, or done some shopping, or done anything rather than stand round expectantly waiting for a boarding call that never came. Turns out that the first officer's car had broken down. BA then had to find another crew member to take his place. It all sounds suspicious to me. Just to complete the day, the boarding process was a scrum with just one announcement - 'board now'.

Once airborne however, comfortably ensconced in my lie-flat seat, my usual good mood returned and I have to say that the food was excellent. I don't normally like seafood, but I had a crab salad and then a prawn masala curry that were both wonderful. A large glass of whiskey, and then a few hours kip.

Reading that last paragraph, it sort of contradicts what I was saying about business class. Well, yes it is infinitely better than being cooped up in an economy seat, but it is still a pain.

Entry into the states was absolutely painless. Incredibly I was first off the plane, and we were the only international arrival at the airport. So it took just 2 minutes to clear immigration. Even those who had to queue were processed quickly, and but the time our luggage arrived, pretty much everyone had cleared - well impressed with that.

So now, I am sat in my hotel, at 0500 british time and 2100 local time and the prospect of a disrupted night's sleep beckons.

Before I got married, I used to travel a lot and jet lag was never an issue. I guess this is because 1) I traveled so much that I was used to it, and 2) I was a lot younger and could recover much quicker.

Anyway, I am pretty sure this is going to be a sleepless, night and I have an early get up to catch another flight.