On Wednesday 23rd Jan 2008 Irene and Jim left Broadmarsh Coach Station, Nottingham on the first leg of the journey to the other side of the world. A cold wind blew and we were not particularly warm in the clothes needed for a flight to warmer climes.
The journey to Heathrow was uneventful and we arrived at the central coach station in good time.
Now we were to walk the miles from there to terminal 2 with two red suit cases, two 'flight' bags and two small bags. From there it was a fast tube to terminal 4 and an expensive shuttle bus ride to the Hotel at terminal 5 (not yet built - the terminal that is; not the hotel). Even here more walking was to happen as the bus could not get to the hotel due to vehicles being parked in the wrong place, dropping us in the nearby industrial park. (Well that was England).
The hotel was fantastic. There was a smell of newness - particularly the carpets. You could only get on the lift with your room key card. (Well actually, no, you could get on the lift if someone was getting off or someone else with a key card was getting on - great English security.)
We eat well, slept well after a whiskey night cap and, of course, rose early to make the great treck back to terminal 1.
At terminal 1 we were pleasantly surprised that we could hand our bags over, get our boarding cards and get through security very speedily.
The journey to Heathrow was uneventful and we arrived at the central coach station in good time.
Now we were to walk the miles from there to terminal 2 with two red suit cases, two 'flight' bags and two small bags. From there it was a fast tube to terminal 4 and an expensive shuttle bus ride to the Hotel at terminal 5 (not yet built - the terminal that is; not the hotel). Even here more walking was to happen as the bus could not get to the hotel due to vehicles being parked in the wrong place, dropping us in the nearby industrial park. (Well that was England).
The hotel was fantastic. There was a smell of newness - particularly the carpets. You could only get on the lift with your room key card. (Well actually, no, you could get on the lift if someone was getting off or someone else with a key card was getting on - great English security.)
We eat well, slept well after a whiskey night cap and, of course, rose early to make the great treck back to terminal 1.
At terminal 1 we were pleasantly surprised that we could hand our bags over, get our boarding cards and get through security very speedily.
30,000 ft Over the Rockies at 500 mph
We had a light breakfast in the lounge and was quite soon called to the boarding gate. Once on board we discovered that the plane was flying with a lot of empty seats. This meant that we had three window seats and would not need to disturb anyone as we got out for exercise and came back. The flight over Canada was stunning. Ice covered Hudson Bay and long cracks were clearly visible. The square pattern of fields and roads, broken by the curves of railways and the more sinuous lines of rivers was stunning. As were the tree and snow topped peaks of the rockies; with dark ravines. It was easy to see man's limitations. We can order the land on the plains, but mountains still defeat us.
At last we saw the Pacific coast. We flew out across the Ocean for a while and then gentle circle back to land in LAX (Los Angeles Airport).
We were surprised how quickly and pleasantly we got through security, pausing briefly to have both index fingers scanned and a digital portrait taken.
The shock then came. outside the airport it was cold and windy. It seemed ages before the shuttle bus came - you get to wondering whether you are standing in the right place. The driver was helpful the journey easy (for him - it would have scared the pants off me) and of course, the best bit, no charge. He was more than happy with the $5 tip that I gave him.
At last we saw the Pacific coast. We flew out across the Ocean for a while and then gentle circle back to land in LAX (Los Angeles Airport).
We were surprised how quickly and pleasantly we got through security, pausing briefly to have both index fingers scanned and a digital portrait taken.
The shock then came. outside the airport it was cold and windy. It seemed ages before the shuttle bus came - you get to wondering whether you are standing in the right place. The driver was helpful the journey easy (for him - it would have scared the pants off me) and of course, the best bit, no charge. He was more than happy with the $5 tip that I gave him.
