thanks for all the replies, let's see what happens i guess...

another thing to add is that i was at LHR and there was a lot of unclaimed baggage from the other flights that had arrived earlier sitting around the belts as well, so some form of disconnect between passengers and baggage location.

the only thing of heavy value in my suitcase apart from day to day clothes was my apple watch which i accidentally left in there but at least I am home, not stranded overseas with nothing!

i guess in some ways its lucky this is the first time ive lost baggage in many years of regularly travelling..