I am now safely back in Calgary. Had four seats across (full flat bed!) on an A340. Got a few hours of shuteye and got more work done in 3 hours that I usually get done in 3 days (don't know if it was the lack of phone interruptions or the fresh air, Alt and great company--but I suspect the latter).
I FEEL GREAT.
After a couple of days birdwatching on the Dutch/German border (tens of thousands of geese and lapwings--no not lapdancers
), good food and company how else could we feel. The weather was even good (NO RAIN!). Didn't get any chance to do shopping though (all closed at 4 PM on Saturday) and there did look to be some good things from my window shopping on the way to Bernie's. Looking forward to the pictures.
Great seeing both new and old FT friends. AFAIK, we didn't start any flame wars and no one got punched out. While there were a few bleary eyes, everyone seemed to be smiling. Thanks again Bernie and Mizu and Rudi (I just had to try a cigar again after 30 years).
I walked back from Altstadt to my hotel (?3 km--25 mins, so put on about 12-14 km walking yesterday at least). I actually made it back to the station near my hotel at about the same time as the tram. Good way to work of the Alt and Schnapps. That Alt is good high octane fuel--have to try it in the car sometime. I think it's cheaper than German gasoline when you buy in bulk
Still lots of people passing me when I was doing 190 on the Autobahn!
Only saw one accident though (on the Autobahn). Different story in town where a truck unloading mattresses had to move to get out of the way of our tram and when he pulled out "hooked" the front fender of a parked Citroen and ripped it off! Polizei were fast as they were on scene within a minute!
Stopped in at Cologne and the impressive cathedral on the way back to Frankfurt, also did some more birdwatching in the forest.
Went to the Senator lounge at FRA (new one above gate B41, not in the round area), but it was still somewhat crowded and smoky (I know after the cigar last night why should I care)--but has showers too. Got some snacks and went over to the RCC. Not that long a walk from B41 (AC gate) and it was not busy and not smoky. They had a free internet computer but the computer keyboard was like pressing on erasers--totally frustrating. Nice to be on the home board. Fast and comfortable. Gotta stay up so I get back on the right time zone.