Here we are … Four of us waiting our delayed flight to Reykjavik in London Heathrow Terminal 2. We already had to dig deep into our patience quota having turned up at 5:30pm at the aiport for a 9pm flight.

When the Icelandair lady told me over the phone that I should come three hours before check-in to register the rifle, I thought it was a tad over the top. Well… She was right. Clearly a .375 rifle accompanied by its eponym amunitions is not a standard piece of luggage. Here we are with Greg and Jenny waiting for 55 minutes at the check-in desk for a certified personel to pick up my arsenal. Now and then, the charming lady behind the desk is telling us with a loud Essex voice: “Sorry love, someone is coming to take your gun! No more than 10 minutes.” The look from fellow passengers was not particularly relaxed. 

Eventually here is our guy. We got together to the outsized baggage belt to drop the … small box of amunitions making the day of the attendants who had enough with rucksacks and whale suitcased. The rifle stays with our gentleman who I need to meet after security at the Customs for a final check. That’s the enf of a lenghty process for me but not for him. He says that he will stay with the rifle until we board the plane and that’s going to the last piece of equipment to be loaded after several signatures. Not a light affair travelling with a rifle in the UK. By now, we’ve left our trail of stories and many are waiting for photos of the polar bear. 

Well fortunately I listened to the Icelandair lady on the phone and we turned up at 5:30pm. We even had time to rejoice around a glass of wine discussing the merits of the inuits’ diet. 

Boarding now. See you all further North in Reykjavik. Good night.