The alarm clock blasted music in the middle of the night to wake us. This can only mean one thing! Super Sarah and I were up and would very shortly to departing on our honeymoon!

Aside from the 4am wake up call we were chipper, until we made it to the airport of course. Airports are one of these places where I am instantly bored as soon as I cross the threshold.

We waited patiently for about 2 hours before our gate appeared and then we followed the hoard of sleepy travellers through security and to our gate. We were met by friendly faces with bad news. The ambulift hadn’t showed up to lift myself and another disabled traveller into the plane! They called the guys operating the lift who assured that they would be there as soon as they could however the airline had no other option but to board the other passengers whilst we waited.

At this point, I remain as calm as possible, determined not to let my anxiety rise whilst Super Sarah sits fuming next to me with her jaw set in anger and determination. We were taken down to the plane to await the ambulift, thankfully it was a beautiful morning. The young man with the broken leg heroically climbed the stairs into the plane so all we were waiting for was little me.

There I am, staring up at my nemesis, taunting me as I become more aware that my connecting flight in Heathrow is looking more and more unattainable. With a deep breath and a lot of courage, I clamber to my feet. I hold Super Sarah’s arm and grab the hand-rail to the steps and I pulled myself up each little peak until I stood triumphantly at the top of the steps/mountain! I clambered into the plane a little less gracefully and was led to my seat. I was only a little disappointed to be met with stares of indifference instead of the cheering that was in my head. It was a big victory for me though!

Unfortunately, due to the delay, we had missed our take off slot so by the time we did actually climb into the sky, we were 50 minutes late and there was slim to no chance that we would make our connecting flight. However, the staff on the plane were amazing, and assured us that everything would be done to try to help.

When we landed in Heathrow, we were met from the plane by a Virgin member of staff who kindly took us directly to our connecting flight as it had waited for us. Not only that, but because of all the trouble that we had at Edinburgh Airport with the ambulift, we were being upgraded to first class so we would each have a pod to travel to San Francisco!!

The staff in first class were incredible! Not only did I have my own little wheelchair that negotiated the tricky aisle to the toilet with perfection, we also enjoyed afternoon tea at 37,000 feet! When the staff found out that it was our honeymoon, before we were due to land, we were surprised with a gift bag filled with sweets and wine to celebrate! It was

really beautiful and despite the long flight and the trouble we had experienced, we left this plane with huge smiles!

A terrible start but a fantastic finish! We hired a car and drove about California with no issues, enjoying our honeymoon to the max! Before long, the moment I had dreaded was upon us – security at an American airport…

I had an interesting experience in Newark Airport where the security check if you don’t go through the scanner is quite a frisking. But even this didn’t prepare me for, what I can only describe as intensive exploration, at LAX Airport. I made my way thinking that it wouldn’t be as bad as in New York, but they were meticulous.

I waited about 15 minutes for a female to search me. I’m not sure why it has to be a female, I am gay so both genders searching me leaves me uncomfortable. Finally my searcher arrived with a chilly look on her face, like it was her that had to wait 15 minutes to be felt up!

She took me to an area where my new wife could see what she was about to do to me and demanded that I empty my hands, which meant that I had to put my passport and boarding pass down. I followed her instructions, my cheery mood sapping out of me.

She asked me to spread my arms. I flung them up in the arm where she proceeded to tickle me mercilessly then stuck her hands in my bra and had a good rummage in there. Trying not to make eye contact with Super Sarah, I just stared ahead of me praying for the end!

Little did I know that this was the easy part! Next, she undid my belt and jeans, running her fingers along the inside of my jeans. I am bright red at this point and wishing I was anywhere else. She stands up straight, announces that she is done and walks away. There I am, sitting in the middle of a busy airport looking completely disheveled, with my jeans and belt buckle wide open and all I could think was that she hadn’t even invited me to dinner first!

After this intense moment, Super Sarah fetched my passport and boarding pass from where it had been abandoned and helped me redress before we quietly walked about the airport, finally settling on somewhere to eat and reflect on what had just happened. I was awoken suddenly from my stupor when my name was called out on the tannoy. We meandered through the crowd to the gate to board the plane home.

This was much better organised but it was a real shock going from having my own pod to sharing elbow room with Super Sarah! Whilst everyone else was boarding, we were surprised with a glass of champagne from a friendly member of staff to toast our honeymoon.

I am not 100% comfortable with flying so I am not able to sleep on the plane so whilst everyone else passed out, Super Sarah and I were wide awake watching movies. This did of course mean that when we landed in Heathrow, we were beyond tired.

This did not prevent us from noticing the shambles of the airport this time around. We felt like we were being shipped from one area to another like cattle. Frankly, I was pleased our visit on the way was so fleeting!

We arrived safely into Edinburgh airport to be faced with the news that my mobility scooter was not on the plane and that Heathrow still had it. I had not slept for 36 hours by this point so the only thing that I had energy for was laughing!

Whilst this was no laughing matter, Edinburgh airport let me borrow one of their wheelchairs to travel home; I use borrow in the loosest of ways since they haven’t bothered to take it back yet and I have been in touch with them about this for 3 months now. They were good enough to have my mobility scooter flown up on the next available flight and couriered out to me the following day though!

All in all, there were a few travel woes on this trip but these troubles only enhanced the joy we felt when we were on our honeymoon. Super Sarah and I had an incredible time! Despite the problems, I cannot wait for our next trip and whatever stories we have to share afterwards!