A trip back in time

In the days of iPods with such hi-resolution displays that one can comfortably watch a wide screen movie, as though one was at a IMAX cinema, it is surprising to encounter technology of 30 years ago. But one place where this does exist, outside the Science Museum, is in an Air Mauritius airbus. As shown in the photos of the seatback display, the pixels are quite visible and I couldn't decide whether to wear my glasses and count the dots or to take them off and apply some blurring. The washed out almost false-colour did not add to the enjoyment either.
I started to watch a french film but the sub-titles were unreadable in the 3x2 pixel per character font. I chose another of the six on offer (but not play on demand) but I thought I was in danger of permanent eye damage if I continued and read he ingredient list of the complementary biscuit instead.

The airplane was indeed old (it did have jet engines and a single wing though) but even so, why the video system had not been updated from the original GameBoy version is beyond belief. The chances of this being carried out before the plane is sold on to an emerging airline in third world country is most unlikely now that an Air Mauritius official has taken out a two year fuel contract at a price some three times the current market rate (is this what they call hedging?).

Air hostess or warden?

The Air France flight from Manchester to Paris was delightful, especially as both the airports were virtually deserted (Saturday afternoon is a good time to fly said the shop assistant in Boots) and the plane was almost empty. So little'un could stretch out across 2 seats and get some zzzz's whilst we made our way across London and the Channel. Wait was equally relaxed in CDG and even the man in the cafe was happy for me to use his microwave to warm the quiche I'd made the night before.

The flight to Mauritius was delayed for 30 mins and it didn't get off to a good start when they didn't allow parents and children on first, so we had to join the scrum at the gate. Fortunately little'un took it in his stride. Next problem came when the stewardess said that little'un was too big for the cot! Well perhaps a kg over the limit but he wouldn't mind if his legs stuck out. There was plenty of room in front of our seats so perhaps he could sleep on the floor. A definite non, non. Not because of the possibility of his bouncing if we hit severe turbulence but the plastic pipe on the emergency oxygen supply was not long enough to reach the floor! Two things, the probability of those yellow cups descending, as shown in the pre-flight demonstration, is virtually nil (I have met someone who has seen them but that was due to the pilot decompressing on purpose to quell and crazy passenger!). The second, is that there is a good chance that parents, seeing their child gasping for air would pick them up off the floor. Anyway, the hostess recited the length of plastic pipe excuse. In addition to the lack of smiles, no food was offered for the baby and the toy which was promised in the blurb on the website didn't materialise. In the night I went to get some water and met our warden guarding the kitchen. Yes? she remarked, as though I was trying the sneak off the plane, and handed me some water .... lucky I didn't ask for milk, her face would have surely curdled it. The steward on our side of the plane wasn't much happier either, seemed to think that I was in the way whilst I waited for the baby changing room.

We arrived OK, thankful to our Air Mauritius wardens for keeping us safe, but I did miss the smiles that go to make a long flight more bearable.

Boogle maps

I was using Google maps to find out how far a relatives house was from Manchester airport as I was thinking of leaving the car there instead of using airport parking. It turns out that it is less than 5 miles away. I then noticed a link to "Public transit" which would be handy if the relatives were not able to give us a lift.

Suggested route:
Walk 51 minutes to the bus stop.
Catch the 540 Colne - London (Victoria bound) coach (National Express)
Get off at Milton Keynes and wait 1hour 40 minutes for the London - Colne (Burnley bound) coach
Get off at Altrincham
Walk 22 minutes.
Total time - 8 hours 38 minutes. See map below.

The only clever bit is getting off the coach at Milton Keynes rather than going all the way to London Victoria. Now that would have made it a long journey!

I've just noticed another option, Walking. Now lets see ..... 4.6 miles - about 1 hour 31 minutes. Beats the public transport option, especially as that involves 1 hour 13 minutes walking anyway!

I also looked for advice from National Express for the same trip and at least they suggested getting a bus to Manchester and catching the tram to Altrincham. Journey time 1 hour 40, including walking from the bus station to the tram stop.

So where is Google maps getting it's data and algorithm (and perhaps we should add programmers!). The least it could do is suggest that you walk for an extra 18 minutes before directing you on a eight and a half hours trip.