Well the expensive American Express card came into its own with free lounge access. Manchester’s Aspire lounge in terminal one is a thing of beauty. And I got the last bacon sandwich along with various other pastries and a bag of pretzels slipped in to my hand luggage.

As flights go that was beautiful from Icelandair.

No issues with checking in after their online failure the day before and by getting row 7 the leg room was magnificent. It looks like any of the first 15 rows are set aside for “economy comfort” and nobody buys it. I assume behind row 15 is the standard airline offering of economy discomfort.

While food and alcohol is chargeable hot drinks and soft drinks aren’t. And a second drinks service was volunteered despite flight time being marginally over two hours was great.

In flight entertainment at every seat. Wifi for €7. In flight magazine worth reading. British Airways in the UK and Europe really don’t have anything positive by comparison.

Baggage collection was fine. Then the horrendously long queue for car hire collection. I’ve never seen anything like it, so I walked past the queue to the Avis Preferred desk (the best free priority service I’ve ever signed up to) and within two minutes I walked away with the keys to a brand new Toyota Yaris with 7km on the clock!

Half hour drive to the hotel, passing the Blue Lagoon. An easy check in, comfortable room and Netto next door which may offer cheaper food options than surrounding restaurants.

Tomorrow may well be the biggie. A lot of driving but The Golden Circle has some fantastic natural phenomena. Can’t wait!

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