Day Minus One Heathrow

Not sure if we count this as day one or minus day one?  However, we’re off!

First stage of our epic journey was getting to Derby station – thanks Clare.   Then horror of horrors – the first class lounge was closed at the station!!!!  Only open from 06.30 until 12.00 and we were there at 12.30.  I can see a letter going to the chairman of British Rail or whoever runs it these days. 

13.01 and we pulled out of Derby station bang on time.   13.03 and the tea trolley appeared for the first of many passes through the compartment.  Biscuits galore and courteous service, whatever happened?  This service has gone completely uphill.

No sign of grumpy check in staff so far.  (reference previous blog)

Fast, smooth, efficient journey to London – hard to believe in this day and age isn’t it?  It’s been years since we’ve been to London and have never been to the new St Pancras station.  Very swish – not like the stations when I was commuting into London.  You could almost be proud of it.

The underground doesn’t seem to have changed much – OK in central London, then the further out you get, the more tatty they get.  Thankfully, it wasn’t the rush hour, so it was reasonably comfortable – i.e. a seat all the way.

As the tube went to terminal 5 we called in to see if we could book in, seeing as how you can do it on line, up to 24 hours in advance – but no.  The terminals in T5 are only active from the day of your flight!  The helpful BA ground staff suggested that we check in on line at the adjacent Cafe Nero!!  Bizarre or what?

We caught the shuttle bus to the Holiday Inn, came to our room, reserved our seats on the flight and checked in.  Just got to drop the bags off at lunchtime tomorrow and we’ll be off on the first flight to LA.  The Holiday Inn is a pleasant, comfortable hotel with friendly obliging staff.   For the benefit of our friends, Bill, Debs, Steve and Lucy, regrettably there was no Goblin Teasmaid facility, but the receptionist did have a big smile for us. 

Down to dinner, then off to bed to end the first day minus one.