Speedy Boarding Plus. It's extra when you buy your cheap ticket but it promises you a special check-in and priority onto the plane to avoid the mad scramble for seats. I think I shall have to add this term to the list. it's anything but speedy or plus. Slow crawl minus maybe. The dedicated check in queue was no shorter or more efficient than any other. Gate 17 at Luton is at the bottom of a narrow set of stairs at the end of a 100 mile corridor, so if you get there later than the first mad rush you queue just the same as if you hadn't bothered with the SBP add-on.
You rush through the SBP channel at the foot of the stairs to the plane, 20 seconds ahead of the thundering herd. If you are quick you might get decent seats. I wasn't and in consequence, didn't. Two small kids behind me, two bored small kids and indifferent father ahead of me. Small kids with nothing to do but jump up and down or slam window blinds shut until my patience snapped. At this point moron father comes to life and says I mustn't speak to his children as they can do what they like, they're only children. Wisely, surprisingly, I accept restraint from those who are more sensible and subside, my point actually having been made, I think, as I soon after heard the father telling them to stop jumping up and down the whole time.
That's EasyJet, plus chicken wrap (if you want it, I didn't) and lukewarm overpriced minibar size cans of pop.
There have been lots of saving graces to make up for EasyJet and the unreliable weather. Bar Juanito in Jerez de la Frontera, recommended by Baedeker is one. In the end, I have to say, as it was found only by using google maps and the gps on the iphone to locate it. Well worth the trek and stress.
Wonderful hand carved iberico ham. Little whole hake crisply fried. Veal parcels like deep fried spring rolls with deep deep redwine reduction decorating them and their plate. Chickpeas cooked in olive oil with cabbage, paprika, pork with real pork fat and the most lovely home made morcilla. Meatballs in an unctuous tomato sauce. Chilled beer as it's late lunch. What more could a soul ask for I wonder? Fewer lorries on the mountain road home? No rain? Maybe....
