A little late with this, but it has been a busy few weeks as you will see.
So I started our journey on the train from Herne Bay to Staines at 08:00, and everything was on time to get there for 10:30. But as with all things a delay was introduced just 4 stations along the track. Something to do with a broken down train, which later turned out to be someone on the track trying to end their life – luckily someone intervened and prevented the death (I do hope the person who needed the help got some and is now OK). This is the reason we go the day before we travel, it allows for any delays that may come up. Once past the scene and on our way again we made good time and arrived at London Victoria about 30 minutes late. The rest of the journey and the walk to ML&S from the station
went without a hitch. I even met a fellow radio ham on his way there, but he was a long way from his home in Barbados, good to see you Philip 8P5AA. I also met Charles (M0OXO) and Ady (G6AD) at the store, it was the easiest landmark for us.
An evening in the Premier Inn on Bath Road before an early night, and early AM alarm to get to the airport for the 06:30 Swiss Air flight to Zurich. No delays at the airport, straight through security and check in, a coffee in departures and the flight departing on time. The aircraft was a Air Baltic Airbus A320, one of the partners of Swiss Air, free wifi allowed me to track the flight right past Herne Bay – they could have dropped a rope and picked me up. 
Arrival at Zurich was a little different. We were well within time and got off the aircraft and into arrivals on time, but then had a queue to get through
border control. They are preparing for the new system with fingerprint and photo identity to match the passport biometrics, this should make it far quicker to get through going forward especially if all countries share the information so we only have to scan ourselves through. We were in there for just short of one hour, and our bags were on the carousel waiting when we got to baggage claim. Through the doors and it was “Welcome to Switzerland”. I keep saying this but I really must try and make some time to visit Zurich city and not just pass through it.
After crossing the road into The Circle we went straight to the train ticket office to get the combined train and ferry tickets. This is the most stressful part of the journey, trying to work out the ticket machines, but with the helpful staff it was a breeze. Tickets bought and onto the platform, we had just missed the train by about 10 minutes so had a wait for the next one which was about 45 minutes. No worries as we are now in a chill out mood, ready for the ferry and the apple pie on there. People ask why we come this way, and we all answer the same – “it is a nice, no rush journey through the beautiful Swiss countryside, with a relaxing ferry trip across the lake”.
The trains and boats are in synch with each other, we arrived at Romanshorn to see the ferry waiting. It is a short walk across the harbour front – a couple of nice bars and restaurants here to 
grab a cold drink or coffee on the return – to the ferry. No sooner were we on board then we were pulling away. In the cafe I had promised the boys that I would treat them to the apple pie for the help over the past year with a couple of things. I was now certainly starting to relax and chill out for the next couple of days before the show and standing on the Icom stand as promised during Friday.
We were a little early to the hotel City Krone in the centre of town, and only Charles’ room was ready, so we went to our
favourite Mini Bar in the square opposite and just behind the church. A cold beer was the order of the day, and find some shade as the temperatures were way up in the high 30C – something that would be the biggest problem of the week with temps over 40C being recorded in some parts of Germany. Our friend James, KB2FMH, also arrived on the Wednesday and was sat in the hotel when we got back along with John, W2YR.
Slowly throughout Wednesday afternoon and Thursday the international friends arrived to 
our hotel base, even the one’s not staying there came and had a beer with us – this has become somewhat of a tradition on the Thursday afternoon into the evening. On Thursday morning Ady, Charles, and I had a trip up to the Ham Radio 2026 show at the Messe to check out the IOTA stand and say hello to our friends in the DX Plaza. It also gave me the chance to see the Icom stand being built and taking shape. After a quick lunch we returned to the hotel for the “international meeting” of the Old Farts Club – I will be setting up the membership details later and getting you all your AI badge sent out (all good fun).
Following our breakfast on Friday morning we set off to the Messe in the Taxi, James joined us for this trip, and completed the final set up of the
IOTA booth. Ady got out his inflatable palm tree, this became a bit fun over the weekend and I think ended up with the Mediterraneo DX Club on Sunday to go on their trip to 9T0MD – photographic evidence please Antony. It was a busy day on the Icom stand too, free ice cream was being given out to visitors who appreciated the gesture. It was also good to see the new Icom X-026 and discuss with the visitors on what they thought it was going to be, but we will have wait for Tokyo Hamfest in August to find out. A visit from the newly weds Vlad 
(OK2WX) and Paula (OK2YL) was good and enabled me to wish them all the best for their recent marriage.
Saturday was much the same, apart from me not being on the Icom stand, with many friends coming over and saying hello and getting photographs with them. I also had my camera out and went for a walk to get some alternative images. I have put many of them below. I also went over to the Astronomy show, but this was a disappointing event with only a handful of stands. They did have a telescope set up in the garden that was pointing at the sun, and with the filters on it you could see the sunspots, I wish I had taken a photo of it with my phone as that could also be done with the set up. We also enjoyed a couple of beers in the beer garden, something I very rarely do at the show – only after the show do I enjoy the beers.
Saturday night was the usual meal at Tiffany’s Steakhouse, which was slightly tarnished this year as they said they didn’t have our booking even though Charles had the email. So our table for 8 ended up split as a 6 and 2 at opposite ends of the restaurant – It also took over an hour before the food arrived so we will not be going next year. But there are plenty of other restaurants down by the lake to choose from, and most do good food. 
Sunday was soon here and the return journey back to Zurich and Heathrow. We were joined on the return leg by Jamie (M0SDV), Dave (EI9FBB), and Paul (G4PVM). After the quick trip to the Messe to collect our posters off the IOTA stand and say our goodbyes to everyone we headed to the ferry – but diverted for an ice cream at our favourite seller Tutti Fruitti. But they were closed so we had to go into one we had never visited before, and boy was it worth it (see the photo) for the ice cream spaghetti. This is on next years treat list. Time for the ferry, and as usual the train was waiting when we got to the other side. We had a farewell meal with the boys in the Circle and went to check in.
Straight forward through security to departures and duty free shopping. I had promised some Swiss chocolate – especially a large Toblerone – for my work colleagues so that was bought ready for my return to work on the Tuesday. If you ever visit Zurich airport look for the Chalet Suisse restaurant, we always have a glass of lemonade with mint – the most refreshing drink in the world. Time for boarding and a queue through passport control, 
though this only took 20 minutes so wasn’t too bad. The aircraft was soon boarded, but was delayed by people arriving to the gate late!!! Why don’t they get there a little early and the plane will depart on time. The captain came on the mic as the last late comer boarded, not from the cockpit but on the stewards mic in the cabin so we all could see him. His exasperated face and explanation that we would be another 30 minutes waiting for a slot because of these selfish people was priceless and I hope it made them think – but I doubt it as they are the type that think they are “entitled” to do whatever they want.
We made good time and were soon landing at Heathrow, again flying in past Herne Bay but on the North side – I swear I could have seen my flat if it hadn’t
been cloudy at that point. Going over the Dartford crossing (yes we flew over it) I offered the captain my account to pay the Dart Charge, but he declined. Sunday evening we had a meal in the hotel at Bath Road with a couple of Guinness just to finish the week off. Monday morning Charles dropped me at Staines and departed on the journey North for himself and Ady. I jumped on the train to Herne Bay and home. Again I had to change at Clapham Junction and London Victoria. I missed a train by 2 minutes at London so went and bought a bottle of cider to cool off a little – £7.25 for a bottle that was less than a pint! Arrived in Herne Bay with no issues and in home to have a rest.
I would like to send some thank you’s. To Charles and Ady for being the best travel companions and friends you could have. Again plenty of laughs and fun, putting the world to rights and chatting about our hobby. To Icom Europe for allowing me to join them on their stand. To all my international friends for their friendship and fun ove
r the full week. See you all again next year. 
