Part 1 , the journey out and a damaged suitcase

My internet connection at the hotel I stayed at was atrocious so I’m doing this in bits after I’ve returned but it should still make interesting reading

Having spent so long working on cameos and the webshop on this website, I felt I needed a break, and where better than the place where I made my first ever foreign vlog back in 2021 for my YouTube channel “primemutton” , Vigo in the northwestern corner of Spain.

A break for me is never really a break as I always take the opportunity to review places and establishments, so maybe call it a business trip with some time for relaxation

Not so easy to fly to, there are some directs from London, or to Porto, or Santiago de Compostela and onwards by public transport. I almost always check luggage in though and so most of the eyewateringly cheap fares you see on low cost airlines are not quite so attractive once checked bags come into the equation. At the end of all my research flying with Iberia, the national airline of Spain in Business Class was only 60£ more expensive than the alternatives, and while you don’t get a massive seat as you do long haul, the dedicated fast check in lanes , fast track security and the free food and drink in the airline lounges and on board (including champagne and cava) make it a no brainer for me

Iberia and British Airways are part of the same company so Iberia uses the British airways galleries lounge for frequent flyers and premium customers. I only had a nibble here but it would have been rude not to take a glass of champagne (note that you have to ask for champagne and only prosecco is left out at the help yourself bar)

So onto the first of 2 flights , London Heathrow (aka The Cockney Airshed) to Madrid , before continuing from Madrid to Vigo

Iberia’s catering is provided by Do and Co, probably the best in flight caterers in Europe. We had a choice between Pasta or Salmon , neither of which appeared to be overcooked, which is hard to avoid when only ovens are available. I went for the Mushroom pasta as I think slow cooked dishes, curries , or pasta dishes work best in the air, and I think I chose well here as the pasta was not soggy at all , in fact quite al dente with a good amount of sauce.

The wines on intra European business class are nothing special usually. They’re more or less akin to what you used to get for free in economy 20-30 years ago.

I did of course spot the Cardenal Mendoza on board , so an obligatory confession over Cardenal Mendoza brandy was obligatory

Changing Planes in Madrid

Before the UK left the EU , planes from Britain would arrive at the end of the EU terminal (Terminal 4) at Madrid Barajas and after a quick passport check you’d be in the main terminal with an easy change of planes. However these days flights from the UK last at the satellite terminal 4S for non Schengen and this means an immigration check which can be quite lengthy if you have a non EU passport and find yourself behind an intercontinental arrival or 2. A shuttle train takes you to the main terminal 4 where you have to go through a security check. Spanish security officers seem to receive different training to most of the rest of the world, with every single wire , plug , power banks , AirPods needing to be put in a different tray rather than in my bag or pockets, and eventually the couple of changes of clothes I had packed just in case had to come out. The transit security lane was quiet so it didn’t delay me too much.

Once through security , of course I headed straight to the Dali lounge , Iberia’s business lounge , where they do have excellent facilities, I think here there are showers as well as a great buffet and a great selection of Spanish wines beers spirits and soft drinks , all on an unlimited help yourself basis. An of course the Cardenal was present to bless me for the rest of the journey

I kept an eye on my checked bag as I keep air tags on my bag and it had arrived in Madrid , the second flight was even delayed giving us a 4 hour transit here , so I enjoyed the fare from the buffet and had dinner here. However, this was where the fun stopped

Mishandled Baggage

On the short hop to Vigo , a small tapa is served with the full range of beverages being available and 50 minutes later I arrived in Vigo

Unfortunately I quickly saw through my air tag that my baggage hadn’t made it and was still in Madrid , obviously 4 hours isn’t long enough. The customs officer who checks (some) bags that have arrived from outside the EU kindly escorted me to the baggage irregularities desk , where I was given a basic toiletry bag and a t-shirt that was way to small for me, but as an experienced traveller I had, remember, packed a couple of changes of clothes but regretted not taking a transparent bag with a few toiletries so hopefully it wouldn’t be a big inconvenience

I kept an eye on my AirTag signal on my phone and the bag did arrive at the same time the next day on the same flight, but for whatever reason wasn’t delivered to my hotel (Hotel Ciudad de Vigo 4*) , a nice hotel with good service and really good prices, until about 1700h the next day , nearly but not quite 2 days later.

Delighted, I went back from a coffee shop to get my bag, but was mortified the hear the receptionist say “here’s your bag it’s only got 3 wheels”

After the shock of receiving the bag in this state, it was straight on the phone to Iberia. Although you do have to spend time finding the correct number to call

This is an expensive case, a travelite medium aluminium case. I didn’t actually have to wait long to be connected to an operator , who while polite and sympathetic, just told me to go to the website that I had just been on (couldn’t find a way of doing it online).

This problem actually consumed far too much of my time. Anyway to find out how the saga developed , join me for the next part of my Vigo blog right here on www.primemutton.com