28/10/2011 London Heathrow

London
28/10/2011 Friday
Barking Library, Heathrow Airport.

I am killing time until Hotel check-out at 12o'c. I had breakfast in the Appendices Restaurant and am taking care of the last emails while I have Internet (although I am hoping for Qantas Club Hotspots). The sun came out for a brief moment so I shot a couple of "Barking scenes", which I will add to the blog later.

While packing I threw out anything I could to lighten my luggage but I kept the accumulated books and papers, so the weight has not really gone down. Too late to post anything so my luggage weight will have to be right. I will wear the heavy jackets, which should compensate.

My plan is to have lunch here then travel to Heathrow at around 1pm. The Tube at lunch-time on a weekday will be interesting, and it is also school Holidays so I may be standing the whole way. I loaded my Oyster card with 5 pounds (minimum I could put in at the ticket office) and was told the trip should cost 3.40 pounds (which is more than when I came from St Pancras EuroStar Station). Strange fee/cost system! More later, if I get the chance.

[Later] BA/Qantas lounge at Heathrow.

I travelled by District Line to Hammersmith then simply walked across the platform to the Piccadilly Line, with no dragging of my Trolley-case up or down stairs or even through lifts/escalators. Worth the detective work and I wish I knew of this "shortcut" back when I first arrived. Then whole trip from Barking to Heathrow took 2.00 hours (and a bit waiting at Hammersmith). I started with a perfect corner seat and simply kept sitting, clutching my suitcase in the alcove next to the seat, despite the little old ladies, pregnant women, masses of school-age children, etc. Both my case and I were out of the way and reasonably comfortable. Not so lucky with the Hammersmith to Heathrow run but I got a seat towards the end. Lots of people had cases so I just became part of the obstacle course.

Heathrow Terminal 3 was a bit of fun. I made it through the initial security to the Qantas Luggage/book-in area only to find that they were closed until 4 hours prior to boarding the flight. Therefore the reward for my efforts to be on time (allowing for the 3 hours it took to get through security/protocols last time) was that I had a two hour wait just to check-in my case and get the Boarding pass. I tried the DIY Check-in Kiosk (with the help of a BA ticket/check-in person) but the machine told me I did not have an e-ticket and to see the Check-in personnel. I found a spare seat and read my ebook. Come 4.30 pm I was just about first in line and was processed very efficiently despite the Kiosk advice (including directions to the passenger Club lounge F, which is shared between BA and Qantas). The subsequent customs/passport/second security search was fairly straightforward and surprisingly quick, I think the passenger traffic was reduced at the time (by luck rather than good management).

Therefore I am now in the BA Lounge having had a bowl of soup and a curry/rice dish (with a beer) and am waiting for my flight call. It is just on 6.00 o'c and the plane will board at about 7.30. Therefore I only have to play with my computer and maybe read a bit; I am relatively relaxed now I am "in the system" and on my way home! Next stop will be Singapore (Changi airport Qantas Club). I will try to add bits to the blog there.