Thankfully Paddington Bear wasn't travelling this last weekend! (he still has his suitcase, and sandwich)

We have been away for a few days to attend a friend's wedding.

In that time it has been hard to avoid news of Heathrow's Terminal 5.

According to the airport's marketing, the experience enjoyed at the new terminal can be described as follows:

At London Heathrow Terminal 5 we’ve created a natural, logical journey that’s so calm, you’ll flow through. It shouldn’t take long to get from Check-in to Departures. Transferring and arriving are just as simple and calm. Spend the time you save enjoying the excellent range of shops, cafes and restaurants. Or simply relax and be wowed by the world class architecture. -- British Airways

It also produced a glut of gushing media reports a few months back when journalists were given exclusive access before the public opening:

"Drop-dead gorgeous" -- MSNBC

"Fewer queues, and lots of happy passengers" -- The Times

"A symphony of glass and steel" -- The Telegraph

"Very impressive indeed... one of the most breathtaking man-made spaces in modern Britain" -- Guardian

It opened over the weekend. And were there thousands of contented passengers, relieved to be avoiding delays and queues, marveling at the fantastic architecture? Errr... no, not exactly.

It would be impolite to gloat over the disaster. Oh alright then: 450 flights have been canceled, the queues have been horrendous and a staggering 20,000 bags have been stacked in unholy mountains awaiting delivery to their owners. Some people were given the option: either fly to their destination without their luggage or wait for another flight -- which could be days away.

And this feat of chaos was accomplished entirely without the efforts of environmental protesters. It is a lovely building - shame it doesn't work. Laugh? I nearly died.