Getting There
It’s time for a new travel adventure. This time I’m heading first to the UK for some family time and some solo exploring. Then I’ll head over to Switzerland for a week or so before flying home. As usual, I’m going to try to journal my adventure here.
I worked hard at limiting my packing to the white suitcase. I think I did really well.
1830 I request taxi expecting it to take a while at this time of the evening but it arrives pretty much straight away. I think I switched everything off. Busy at the airport. Unusually, quite a line even for business. But by 1900 I’m in the lounge and relaxed. 15 degrees in Adelaide. My attempt at adjusting my body clock has included getting up at 5am and having a couple of hours nap in the afternoon. Feeling good at the airport.
2030 I head to international screening but it only takes about 10 min to get through.
2050 I board. B777-300ER seat 3K facing backward. A departure glass of champagne of course. It’s QSuites, so very nice.
2147 Depart.
2151 For dinner I order the turf and surf followed by the barramundi. For breakfast I will have the yoghurt and granola followed by the Spanish omelette.
2310 Starting to get some bumps.
0014 I finish dinner. Very satisfied but very full. It’s been slightly bumpy on and off for the last hour but now we hit a bad spot just for a few minutes. Hopefully better now. Tracking over Simpson desert. It might be the altitude, but it’s surprising how little food fills me up on the plane.
0042 Bed is made but it’s very bumpy. Will see if sleep is possible. I doze for a couple of hours but it was quite bumpy and way too warm. I watch a couple of episodes of The Cleaner (Greg Davies) to try to get tired. After a couple of episodes I try sleep again. It’s much cooler but much bumpier. I settle for a couple more hours of rest but no sleep. As we fly over the tip of India it gets calmer again but my body clock is well and truly telling me it’s morning (Adelaide time). I decide to sit up and watch more of The cleaner until breakfast.
0454 They set up for breakfast. After a restless night, this is always a relief.
Doha Time
0455 We arrive on time. After going through security I get to the atrium. Haven’t seen this before. Nice but humid. I make my way to the lounge to rehydrate. 3 hrs to next flight.
0655 About to board A380 from gate B3.
0715 Onboard. Another glass of champagne of course. Feeling quite fresh, considering. Will feel better once the cool air starts.
0755 Departure on time.
0900 Time for breakfast #2. I have the “just breakfast” but forget to take a pic. Very nice though. So far the flight is ultra smooth. After watching the last episode of The Cleaner, I watch the Whitney Houston biopic.
1150 Lunch as we fly over the Black Sea. Carrot and coriander soup followed by baked salmon. Really delicious and I’m stuffed! Feeling a bit tired now, but I think it best to stay awake to sync with London time. Has been smooth the entire trip.
0215 Approaching London on time. Has been light cloud across Europe but thicker now. Last minute holding pattern.
London Time
1322 Arrive T4.
1411 On the Elizabeth line.
1500 Arrive Tottenham Court Road.
I hadn’t realised but there are two Radisson Blu hotels next to each other. I get into the first and it’s actually a bit fancier than I was expecting. They give me a complimentary Prosecco while they find my booking. But my booking was for the other hotel. First thought was that I’d stumbled into the posh one when I was booked into a cheaper one. But the other turns out to be ok and they are offering Prosecco too! The room is nice but tiny. But that’s central London for you. Unlike last year, the neighbourhood around the hotel feels safe and interesting.
After a cleansing shower I head out to find something light for dinner and to do my essentials shopping.
1630 Currently feeling really fresh and awake. It’s quite balmy out. Was 26 today.
I walk past Muji and decide to aimlessly browse but resist buying and leave. Then I remember I was going to get a travel umbrella. Might Muji have one? What a great excuse. And yes, they do.
I get some refreshments with the aim to have a quiet night in front of the TV to attempt a normal night. The TV helps to wind down and I start to feel tired.
0730 Sleep time.
