Day 2

Today was a 6:30 start - ugly enough after last night’s wine but I actually woke up at 4 and that was that

Finally the alarm went off and after a quick shower both Joss and I were ready

Despite that, Kieren surprised us by knocking on the door 3 minutes early - the boy was keen

We went downstairs and booked the pod for the trip to terminal 5 at Heathrow 

Judging from the pictures we may have peaked too soon….

Last year was appalling so we’d treated ourselves to a business class ticket so we swept easily through check in - it was like they actually cared!!!

They told us that we were going from a B gate so we needed to take a 30 second train - well, why not eh?

Security was a breeze for Hattie and me but understandably they took one look at Kieren and Joss and hoiked them to one side for a pat down

Yeah, I’d have done the same - dodgy looking

Having passed those extra tests (security must be woeful) we got the train to the B gates and went into the World Club lounge

We felt very important at the sign said “ by invitation only” - ooooo get us 

We found some seats and set upon a breakfast

Kieren went for pastries, Joss the porridge and Hattie and I went for a fry up - delicious 

Just after that Hattie disappeared and returned with a pain au chocolat - of course she did

Joss was heroic in holding out for a free beer until 9:57 and then she dragged me down with her

Unfortunately the sign flicked to “board now” for our flight as I started the second so I had to leave it behind

Feels like I left a fallen soldier…..

It was certainly nice to get all this “free” stuff without fighting to get a seat

Of course we went straight to the front of the queue and we’re on the plane in minutes

We all sat down in our little booths and it was wonderful

They then brought round champagne and as I looked over to Joss, she reclined her seat whilst holding the glass then looked at me and mouthed the words “I’m never going back”

A sentiment echoed by Hattie an hour later when I asked if everything was ok and she replied “I’m lying down, watching my iPad as someone keeps topping me up with champagne - this is amazing!!!”

I asked for vodka and coke as my drink of choice and with the second one the stewardess said that she’d been a bit heavy handed with the vodka - all I can say is that it was loveeeeeeely

Then dinner was served ( with more drink) - I had the courgette and basil soup with warm bread - so delicious even kieren ate it

Here’s the whole menu

I then had curry for main and an almond and cherry pudding - all gorgeous 

Kieren ate plenty too and the stewardesses were so good to him after Joss had explained he had learning difficulties that they kept asking him all the questions in a really easy to understand way so he could make all the choices himself - priceless

I then watched a film as both Joss and Hattie fully reclined and fell asleep

How Joss could sleep after witnessing two flyers in the seats in front of her try for the mile high club I’ll never know ….

Kieren had 3 trolls’ films to get through so there was no stopping him

Cabin crew were then noticeably absent until it was time for “afternoon tea” 

I thought you had to choose which individual sandwiches to have but the choice was meat or vegetarian and you got a selection - plus a scone and 2 types of pudding 

Again delicious 

Kieren didn’t fancy the sandwiches so the cabin crew actually offered him some of the crew sandwiches - he still declined but what service

They even managed to find fruit for him

With my afternoon tea I’d asked for another vodka and coke and the stewardess looked worriedly at Joss as she’d feigned protest before at my drinking  but she was paying no attention

When she delivered it she said in a loud voice “and here’s your Diet Coke “ hahaha totally got her on my side

To crown the cabin crew once and for all, one stewardess asked Kieren if he wanted chocolate and asked if he’d follow her to choose

Up he jumped and off he went

Not only did he return with a double handful of Lindor chocolates but she followed him with 2 packets of cheese and onion crisps

Hahahaha

Kieren wins !!!!

The flight was a little over 7 hours but with all that luxury it felt a lot less

Then as we left the plane 2 stewardesses said “have a good holiday Kieren” - so lovely

Then it was off to the passport control to the gestapo woman on the kiosk who made us look into a camera and take our fingerprints with zero chance of cracking a smile

Felt quite intimidating 

Still, that done we went to get our luggage while the taxi rang and told us where he’d pick us up

He was there bang on time but he wasn’t as good as Joss and Hattie at fitting them into the car as I had to have one on my lap

The journey to the hotel took about 45 minutes in heavy traffic but the reception were lovely and had upgraded Hattie and Kieren’s room to a river view

And it was miles bigger than ours - livid

Then it all happened at once

As I was reading my emails I saw that I had to urgently e-sign something and while I was trying to do that, Joss couldn’t work out the shower

As I looked at that, Hattie phoned to say she’d blown the electrics in her room - I couldn’t believe it

Still, after sorting that and all of us cleaning up after the day, we decided to stroll to Times Square

There, Kieren found the Disney Store and went to town

The we went to the Line Friends store like they had in Seoul and Hattie joined in the spending

Kieren couldn’t quite see what the fuss was about but did try to join in

I then had a fruitless search of Sketchers before we bought water and diet cokes for the rooms and took them back to the hotel

It was at that point we needed food but the day was starting to rest heavy on us

It was only 7pm but that was midnight in the UK and we’d had a long day

We went to the tick tock diner in the hotel and tried our best with the food, but it beat us all, although Joss’ selection of meatloaf might have beaten me most days…

None of us got close to finishing and at 8:15 we were all off to bed

Tomorrow is another day