Un voyage rapide Franglais

[andye]

I'm leaving tonight for my first overseas face-to face conference since the pandemic. The event is in Lyon but I'm stopping by in England to see family along the way. Its a pretty packed schedule with 6 hotels in 7 days but am quite excited. The eagle-eyed will spot that there is no GCmap stop in LYS so there is some rail as well as air

 

[andye]

Finished the leaving jobs (including ensuring enough pool chlorine in stock-pool salt is unsourceable near me). Had my flu jab (for work not travel). Stocked up on masks
Mrsandye is a bit disappointed to not be joining this time but the points-balances were low and she has three recent arrivals to the house to be looking after

Now in taxi moving slowly down Military Road

 

[tgh]

Never mind the taxi.. more puppy pics please….

 

[andye]

Never mind the taxi.. more puppy pics please….

Seem to have hardly any on my phone but as you asked...

 

[andye]

Taxi made reasonable time using the bus lanes (have made the Uber mistake once)
Checkin for QR at K where SQ used to be. Surprised that mask-wearing was only 90% there
SYD T1 busier than December but still felt quiet.

Vax certificate scanned before queuing
Checkin efficiently dealt with checking through my bag for the connecting BA Y MUC-LHR flight on separate PNR and also changed my QR FF number to BA
Express Lane didnt seem to be working but passport control very quick........which is more than can be said for security.
With only 2.5 lanes open, took 25 minutes to reach the front. Quite a few late arrivals brought to front. The queue was long enough for two people in front of me to catch each other's eye, flirt for a bit and arrange a date
Most people seemed match-fit but there was plenty of time to get prepared

 

[FlyingFiona]

Keen to know which lounge, if any, you'll be able to access. QR's website says the QF lounges in SYD (and MEL - which is of interest to me this coming Tues) are closed..but I thought they were open (and so I wonder if they are just closed to partner airlines guests??)

 

[andye]

And so to the lounges:-
Had hoped to make use of my (status-matched) QR Platinum for my first visit to the QF F lounge


but the combo of Military Road and slow security (and to be fair not planning for delays) meant I missed its 7pm closure

QF J was also about to close with no food available. Still when I saw Koonunga Hill was one of the reds on offer, I quickly turned tail

(EK customers were being directed to the Plaza Premium)

 

[andye]

QR J customers were being invited to use the ANZ lounge (which kind of makes sense since though not OneWorld, the departure gate is at the Star Alliance end of the terminal)

I've been there before so thought I'd check out the revamped Amex lounge. The old one was kind of cramped but had a decent bar and the (limited) food options were pretty tasty.

It's 2 levels below the SQ and ANZ lounges next to the closed EK lounge.
Entrance has the signature green wall

Inside was certainly more spacious. There is a kitchen at one end with pretty ho-hum buffet options



The other end has seating. The glass has views.....of people walking to their terminal


Bar is near the entrance. Koonunga Hill and Seppelt Fleur sparkling didn't set a very premium tone. No tonic for a G&T either.

Won't be rushing back which is a shame as I liked the old one and have had really good experiences at Centurion lounges in HKG and LAS

 

[andye]

ANZ lounge is as I'd remembered.
Well laid-out, pretty bar, decent seating options
No champagne but it deserved longer than the 10 minutes I gave it

 

[andye]

Boarding called pretty early. The priority queue looked very long but moved through quickly and I was onboard the SYD-DOH A350
I am in 5K which is a backward facing seat with a chest-level door. Feels very private and although not claustrophobic, I've not put a high priority on that level of privacy. Plenty of space and storage with a pretty-well aligned footwell. Made a trip last December in Qsuite (the middles on this flight) with mrsandye which thought was top-notch though this is very good when travelling alone

 

[RooFlyer]

. Made a trip last December in Qsuite (the middles on this flight) with mrsandye which thought was top-notch though this is very good when travelling alone

Agree with you there. QSuites first choice (single or couple), this lay-out second.

 

[moa999]

What was where the new Amex lounge is?
What has become of the old Amex lounge?

 

[andye]

Real paper menus (SQ take note) below






Unusually for me I preferred the rose champagne
Again unusually I found the Pinot best of the reds; the French was very smoky and the Spanish Syrah an unfamiliar Shiraz taste
The Italian white was, as its name would suggest, more Greek in style, quite resinous

 

[andye]

Nice night view out of Sydney

 

[andye]

I did get my G&T

went for the mezze

Then the Red curry

Watched some Bond,
had a comfortable sleep and followed with the cheese plate


Wasn't fussed about brekky. Landing chocs and amenities. White Company PJs supplied but not used


Descent into DOH

 

[andye]

After my QF F fail, I was hoping for better in DOH. I had changed my FF# to BA nothing but only a small delay entering the Al-Safwa as the friendly dragon entered my QR OWE. I missed out on the Al-Safwa in error in December but pleased I can now compare. The Al-Mourjan was the best J lounge I've visited but this is a step-up
Huge lounge, great seating.



Staff explained all the amenities and directed to the bar/restaurant
Table service Al-Safwa Special omelette with a glass of Veuve La Grande Dame 2008-dont mind if I do

 

[Pushka]

I did get my G&T
View attachment 275534
went for the mezze
View attachment 275535
Then the Red curry
View attachment 275536
Watched some Bond,
View attachment 275540had a comfortable sleep and followed with the cheese plate

View attachment 275537
Wasn't fussed about brekky. Landing chocs and amenities. White Company PJs supplied but not used
View attachment 275538View attachment 275539
View attachment 275543

So just an amenity box but no pouch? Ive read on FT they are only provided out of Doha so hope that's right. The goodies inside are very nice though.

 

[andye]

Hesitated to post this as its currently breakfast time in Qatar but the Hennessy VSOP was just too tempting

and it is an appropriate time at origin

 

[andye]

So just an amenity box but no pouch? Ive read on FT they are only provided out of Doha so hope that's right. The goodies inside are very nice though.

Yes but it is a pretty box. Will update on the ex-DOH situation once I find out

 

[drron]

Hesitated to post this as its currently breakfast time in Qatar but the Hennessy VSOP was just too tempting
View attachment 275551
and it is an appropriate time at origin

It is always 5 o'clock somewhere so any time is suitable for a fine cognac,port or champagne.