OK - first the good bit. My Grand Children are beautiful
Now - I still object strongly to the 10 Euro per pax departure tax at NOC airport. I do like the beer in the lounge and at 4.20 Euros per pint not too bad. By God I miss the ATL sky clubs - or all of them really. Flight eventually arrived (virtually zero communication and airport monitors not working) 1 hour late. Boarded - and as you would expect at this time of year very kettle rich.
Actual take off 5.25pm against a 4.00pm advertised. Due to equipment failure on the inbound at LPL.
The wife sits in 2A, I sit in 2B and a kettle sat next to us in 2C asks me how to fasten the seat belt. I show him. I am serious.
Once airborne fastest bumpiest flight ever - trying to make up last time. 35 minutes in the air. The FAs still have time for the pressure sell on scratch cards/food/drink but zero time for duty free. Land at LPL John Lennon with a huge THUD.
On the tarmac, biting cold due to the wind across the Mersey estuary. I will still fly Ryan Air - YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.