We had no need to rush out this morning, our flight wasn't until 5:30pm.

Eventually we realised we had to get up and start packing or we'd be late for the 11am latest check-out time. With only a minute to spare we handed our key over to Santa Marta Suites reception and left,  dragging our suitcases behind us along the cobbled streets. 

 We decided to walk directly to Caffe Spizzico where we enjoyed our coffee yesterday. Today I went cappuccino and chocolate croissant and Julie went americano and doughnut. It was the perfect sugary start to the day.

After breakfast we walked across Piazza Cordusio, busy with trams and people going about their busy lives. We continued wheeling our cases down towards the Duomo. If we knew what we were doing we could have caught the No 1 tram to the Centrale train station but the whole buying of tickets for buses and trams was alien to us. At least the metro was a familiar system.

Half an hour later we emerged into the train station. We scoured the timetable for the next train to the airport. This is when I noticed my eyesight was deteriorating and in future I should pack my glasses! There was one leaving in three minutes but we weren't going to make that one, and in any case we would be at the airpot too early to check-in our luggage.

With an hour to wait for the next train there was only one thing to do and that was to find a bar and have a drink. The nearest was called Bistrot Centrale where we also decided to have some lunch. We weren't that hungry but they had mozzarella in carozza on the menu and I couldn't resist. Although I should have, because it wasn't the best example.

We caught the 1:25pm to terminal 1 Malpensa airport but only just. We were too comfortable sat in Bistrot we didn't pay attention to the time. Before we knew it we had ten minutes to get going and find the platform, which was of course at the furthest point!

Almost an hour later we arrived at teminal one, which was inconvenient as we then had to catch a shuttle bus to terminal 2. There was a bit of a queue to drop off our hold luggage, and the security gates were busy. All of these delays contributed it cranking up Julie's anxieties.

By the time we stepped onto the plane she could hardly put one foot in front of the other. She pushes herself to fly for me. I love her so much for that and a thousand other reasons.

Yet, despite all her fears, when we flew over the Alps, she was in awe of the view. That's her awesomeness.