Are we nearly there yet (2) ?

ummmm, well no not really but we are a bit closer than the last time we tried.

Spent two hours freezing our butts off outside Heathrow, then were let in, checked in - all going well so far.

Nerve wracking time looking at departures board as flight was delayed and took ages to get a gate. Said we would have a gate at 18.40. We sat watching the little digital clock change until 19:20 when hurrah - gate 23.

Plane left about 20.30 HURRAH

Plane arrived Madrid about 00:20

Flight to Santiago left 00:10

Are you spotting the problem?

4 hours later got to a nice hotel with two nights stay and all meals paid for by Iberia - woop woop.
I think Martyn is going to post a picture of the view from our nice hotel - its not that bad but we're on the 8th floor and when I opened the curtains it was to see rubbish blowing around level with my head! Inside nice, outside hmmmmm

Slept for 5 hours, missed breakfast (no surprise there) gained internet, sent more emails, got map - voyage of discovery around Madrid scheduled for this afternoon as our new flight doesn't leave until 1am (ugh). Ho hum. Saved the best to last. We are now going to Santiago Chile via ARGENTINA.
Martyn has worked out that all the delays mean it will no longer be Christmas in a tent. Unfortunately as its peak season and Christmas over there I think it might be Christmas Eve in an airport but what the heck - we made it out of London :-)