This trip we flew with Qatar Airlines – which was a first for us.

Our flight between Brisbane and Doha was nice and smooth and both of us managed to get some sleep during the 14 hour flight time. The aircrew were very attentive and the food was excellent. My only complaint was that the check in process in Brisbane was like so many nowadays: self- serve. We can usually manage this ok, but the photos on the screen showing us where to place our passports were incorrect, and when we asked for help, the young woman explained that it had been like that all year and they have been trying to get it changed. Lordy Lordy!! How hard can it be??

Once checked in, we waited in the Air New Zealand Lounge and watched the football quarter finals until we had to board. The lounge was not very busy, but as would be expected, they only offered New Zealand wines. We both like their Pinot Noirs very much, but I am not a fan of their Sauvignon Blancs. However, you will be pleased to read that we coped very well.

We had not realised that the agent who booked our flights had not booked us seats beside each other – instead we each had a window seat. Mick did not seem too bothered that he was on is own and that I was in the seat behind him. I must admit though that I really liked the door that was on each cubicle which allowed you to block everything else going on in the plane.

We only had a little over 2 hours in Doha before we boarded our second flight to Madrid. The Doha terminal was massive and we had to catch a futuristic-type train to get us to our gate – the very last one in the complex (E8). We hoped to freshen up in the lounge and perhaps grab a coffee during our stopover – but we were told the lounge nearest our gate was full, and the showers were not working. That was disappointing.

But, I’m pleased to report that the service and food on our next flight were amazing.

Once we landed in Madrid and collected our bags, we followed the signs to the hotel shuttle buses. Now that sounds easy, but Madrid’s Airport is a complex maze. We felt as though we were going around in circles. But we eventually made it to our hotel.

After a shower and some fresh clothes, we went downstairs to the bar for a beer – by now it was around 5pm local time.

These were the best beers ever (or so we thought after our big trip), and as it turned out, were also our dinner, because the restaurant was not going to open until 8.30pm. There was no way Mick and I could last that long – our eyes were falling out of our heads.

Anyway, tomorrow will bring its own challenges as we pick up the hire car from the airport and start our journey through the wine regions north of Madrid.