Willard is still so shocked by this new way of getting to the Airport that he doesn't even look up to comment on one of Richard Bransons finest long-distance trains as we go through Manchester Piccadily.

We arrive on time at Manchester Airport (train must have made up the delay en-route) and marvel at the simple fact that you can get your luggage trolley easily from train to plane. Manchester Airport has probably got the best rail interconnection facilities of any UK Airport, which could be viewed as either a tribute to the foresight of the City Council (Manchester Airport is one of the few Municipal Airports in the UK, and so is not owned/operated by BAA) or a damning indictment on the quality of the rest of the countries Airports.

After a brisk walk across the T1-T2 interconnecting bridge, Willard is welcomed by Lufthansa staff, and checked in for his short flight to Frankfurt.

Willard is recognised as a VIB*! As we enter the GlobeGround lounge, Willard is welcomed by Janice who recognises him from his previous visits (this used to be the lounge used by bmi for their long-haul flights before they moved them to Terimnal 3). (* - Very Important Bear, naturally!)

Usually a keen plane-spotter, Willard is still visibly shell-shocked by his recent foray onto our nation's rail not-work.