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Day 9 - Tuesday, 31st May
Drive to Heathrow, return car to Hertz, meet Business Traveller group for BA Museum tour
Today was positioning day for our lengthy excursion into Europe. After our normal full breakfast, we checked out from The Pelican Inn and were delighted with the overall stay. The owners Paul and Michelle were very friendly and always up for a chat. Actually found out they were both trained chefs and had owned pubs before, however had decided for this property that Michelle was to be chef and Paul would be Front of House. They are in their mid 40's and had also brought their oldest daughter down recently to assist them with running the pub. It also gave them a chance to be grandparents to her 1 y.o. son.
We left for the drive down to Heathrow and we were allowing lots of time, given there were 3 new elements to this trip - it wasn't a route with which I was familiar, I hadn't stayed at the Heathrow Crowne Plaza before and I hadn't returned a car to Hertz at Heathrow.
Well, true to form, only one of those was easily achieved - driving to Heathrow. We had decided it was easier for me to drop my wife and kids at the hotel with the luggage first, so they could have an afternoon there and have the dine-in delights on offer, whilst I returned the car then headed off to meet my BT Do at 3pm.
Well, it was all going swimmingly until we missed one of the correct turns to the hotel and ended up traversing Heathrow Terminal 3 until we were heading back the way we came. Even the second attempt was fraught with peril, as I missed another turn and we had to work our way back to the same place again (by this point, I was getting frustrated with the in-car GPS as it was updating too slowly for me to follow the correct route).
Finally on my third attempt we got it right, found the right road and entered the Crowne Plaza parking lot. Drove up to the entrance and the Concierge helped us with out luggage after I explained that I needed to drop everything and everybody off here and take back the hire car to Hertz. I checked in and helped my wife take up the bags as the Concierge had all disappeared.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Heathrow
Room Type: 2x Double Beds (+ cot)
Nights: 1 (In 31 May, Out 1 June)
Room Rate: £141.60 all in (Book Early & Save, including Breakfast)
So it was off to Hertz by myself, something to which I wasn't looking forward, given the attempt to find the CP. On exiting the car park (I think my less than 30 mins cost me £2), I tried to find the nearest petrol station to fill up and ended up doing another couple of loops until I came across one. Filling up was simple (after making sure I was putting in the right mix). Getting back in, I started to be concerned that I was going to miss my trip to the BA Museum, so again I plugged in the address (Northern Perimeter Road - with West thrown in for confusion) and prayed that I wouldn't take any wrong turns. Finally, I found I was on the correct ring road and found the Hertz sign. After accessing the entrance, which was like a military establishment, I found the returns area and drove in as directed by an employee. He asked how I enjoyed the car - I don't think I could have been more ebullient in my praise for the car - apart from the GPS.
So with little time before the 3pm meeting time and not having a copy of the page from the BT thread discussion advising where was the meeting point, I guessed that I needed to go to Terminal 4. When asked by the Hertz guys where I needed to go now, I said T4 and he said I'd better hop on their bus which was literally leaving the Hertz area. I jumped aboard and there were only two other pax there - and of course, they were Australians. We had a chat whilst the driver took us to T4, finding out where we were from and what we were doing in London. They were from Melbourne and on their way to Amsterdam to head on a cruise.
As soon as the bus stopped, I was off and racing inside the Terminal to find an Internet connection to check where I needed to be. After dropping £2 into a computer, I logged on to find that it was in T5 that they had met, so I posted that I was in T4 and on my way direct to the BA Museum.
So it was back outside to the taxi rank, hopping into the first black cab and asked him to take me to the BA Museum at Waterside HQ. Thinking he would look at me blankly, I was wrong as he repeated it as if he was familiar with it and pulled out into the traffic.
Now, I had no idea where he was taking me so when he asked me which way, I had to let him know that I was from Australia and had not visited it before. So he explained the two ways and all I remember is taking roundabout after roundabout. After about 20 mins, he approached a gate with an attached demountable office and I leaned out the back window to advise my name and that I was with the BT Group. Thankfully, the other guys had left my name at reception who had passed it onto the gate, as they waved us through and the black cab pulled up. I paid up and strode up to the door and walked inside to the reception desk on the left, which reminded me of a QF Travel shop (just with a BA overlay). The building had an open foyer beyond the access point, with glass and aluminum/steel giving a very light and clean feeling.
One of them asked my name and after hearing it, said "we have been expecting you" and rang somebody to advise that I had arrived. Another BA dressed staff member came to collect me and give me my Visitor Pass. She delivered me to the entrance and I introduced myself to the BT Group and the BA staff member, who like most in the Museum, were former BA crew.
I had no previous knowledge about the history of BA, so it was intriguing to hear about BOAC, the routes and stops, times and crew; as well as seeing some of the old memorabilia. What was a special moment for all of us was when the BA staff member mentioned that there was a special guest In the Museum. Sure enough, whilst I didn't recognise him, most of the BT guys did straight away - it was Keith Williams of BA, with his guest being an executive from Boeing.
After we had been through the Museum, we were escorted back through to the reception area and then outside. We had agreed to meet at The Green Man - a pub not far from the perimeter of Heathrow and on the right days, was directly under the flight path on take-offs. Some had driven to Waterside so they took others in the group, while a group of about 6 to 8 of us took one of the BA staff buses to Hatton Cross tube station, from which we walked to The Green Man. Our leader Nigel attempted to show the letter received from BA Museum authorising us to ride the bus, but the driver didn't even bother looking at it, so we all filed in and found a seat towards the rear.
Reaching Hatton Cross, thankfully Nigel and Jim led me to the pub and we chatted on the way about what else, work and flying. We met up with the rest of the group and started to do what we Aussies and English do well - drink. I thought it would be interesting to not drink the same pint of beer, so I made sure that I had one of every different kind of beer the others were drinking.
Of course, the problem with long days is that it was after 9pm before we started to think about eating - but the menu was found and orders were up to the bar shortly thereafter. By this stage, I was running short on cash - thankfully we'd all had a skin full by then.
As can be expected, we all had great stories about flying, which may have been stretched by the amount of alcohol inbibed. But wherever in the world we are from, we have the same beefs about airlines and love using and sometimes sharing, the rules to our advantage, not the airline or program.
Needless to say, by the time the sun was setting (around 10.30pm), I was starting to put my mind towards tomorrow and was mindful that I didn't want to get back to the hotel blind drunk and have issues with lack of sympathy tomorrow from my family, flying out of Heathrow.
Most of us had stayed to the end, so I thanked them all for agreeing to hold the meeting this afternoon and what a convivial atmosphere it has been. Nigel and Jim were both walking back to Hatton Cross, so we ambled (well we felt we were, others may have described me unkindly as staggering) back and dropped Jim off at Jury's Inn on the way. I was also hoping to find an ATM, as I needed some extra £ to get me home - I'd only taken £40 with me and I had £5 plus a pocketful of change.
Nigel and I made it to Hatton Cross and I leaned into the window of the black cab at the head of the rank to get an idea on price back to the Crowne Plaza. He looked at me and I'm sure he could tell I didn't have the fare, advised £15. I thanked him and then explained my predicament to Nigel, who without hesitation opened his wallet and gave me £15 (just in case the fare was a little over). Needless to say, I am forever in Nigel's debt and am l looking forward to hosting him in BNE or SYD at the beginning of next year.
Rather than rush off in the cab, I waited with him until his bus came, then went back to the cab rank to wait. Being 11.45pm I was a little worried about the number of cabs that would frequent this area at this time of night and I did have to wait about 10 minutes for one to arrive. I jumped aboard, advising him of the hotel details and sat back in the seat, safe in the knowledge I would make it back (but yes, I did gave my eye on the meter). Thankfully it was only £16, so gave him my £20 and I tipped him the balance (as there was little need for the coins, given I wasn't back in England for 5.5 weeks).
I went up to our room, being careful not to wake my family who were all sleeping soundly. I fell into bed and soon entered the symphony of sounds emanating from the room.
Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app
Drive to Heathrow, return car to Hertz, meet Business Traveller group for BA Museum tour
Today was positioning day for our lengthy excursion into Europe. After our normal full breakfast, we checked out from The Pelican Inn and were delighted with the overall stay. The owners Paul and Michelle were very friendly and always up for a chat. Actually found out they were both trained chefs and had owned pubs before, however had decided for this property that Michelle was to be chef and Paul would be Front of House. They are in their mid 40's and had also brought their oldest daughter down recently to assist them with running the pub. It also gave them a chance to be grandparents to her 1 y.o. son.
We left for the drive down to Heathrow and we were allowing lots of time, given there were 3 new elements to this trip - it wasn't a route with which I was familiar, I hadn't stayed at the Heathrow Crowne Plaza before and I hadn't returned a car to Hertz at Heathrow.
Well, true to form, only one of those was easily achieved - driving to Heathrow. We had decided it was easier for me to drop my wife and kids at the hotel with the luggage first, so they could have an afternoon there and have the dine-in delights on offer, whilst I returned the car then headed off to meet my BT Do at 3pm.
Well, it was all going swimmingly until we missed one of the correct turns to the hotel and ended up traversing Heathrow Terminal 3 until we were heading back the way we came. Even the second attempt was fraught with peril, as I missed another turn and we had to work our way back to the same place again (by this point, I was getting frustrated with the in-car GPS as it was updating too slowly for me to follow the correct route).
Finally on my third attempt we got it right, found the right road and entered the Crowne Plaza parking lot. Drove up to the entrance and the Concierge helped us with out luggage after I explained that I needed to drop everything and everybody off here and take back the hire car to Hertz. I checked in and helped my wife take up the bags as the Concierge had all disappeared.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Heathrow
Room Type: 2x Double Beds (+ cot)
Nights: 1 (In 31 May, Out 1 June)
Room Rate: £141.60 all in (Book Early & Save, including Breakfast)
So it was off to Hertz by myself, something to which I wasn't looking forward, given the attempt to find the CP. On exiting the car park (I think my less than 30 mins cost me £2), I tried to find the nearest petrol station to fill up and ended up doing another couple of loops until I came across one. Filling up was simple (after making sure I was putting in the right mix). Getting back in, I started to be concerned that I was going to miss my trip to the BA Museum, so again I plugged in the address (Northern Perimeter Road - with West thrown in for confusion) and prayed that I wouldn't take any wrong turns. Finally, I found I was on the correct ring road and found the Hertz sign. After accessing the entrance, which was like a military establishment, I found the returns area and drove in as directed by an employee. He asked how I enjoyed the car - I don't think I could have been more ebullient in my praise for the car - apart from the GPS.
So with little time before the 3pm meeting time and not having a copy of the page from the BT thread discussion advising where was the meeting point, I guessed that I needed to go to Terminal 4. When asked by the Hertz guys where I needed to go now, I said T4 and he said I'd better hop on their bus which was literally leaving the Hertz area. I jumped aboard and there were only two other pax there - and of course, they were Australians. We had a chat whilst the driver took us to T4, finding out where we were from and what we were doing in London. They were from Melbourne and on their way to Amsterdam to head on a cruise.
As soon as the bus stopped, I was off and racing inside the Terminal to find an Internet connection to check where I needed to be. After dropping £2 into a computer, I logged on to find that it was in T5 that they had met, so I posted that I was in T4 and on my way direct to the BA Museum.
So it was back outside to the taxi rank, hopping into the first black cab and asked him to take me to the BA Museum at Waterside HQ. Thinking he would look at me blankly, I was wrong as he repeated it as if he was familiar with it and pulled out into the traffic.
Now, I had no idea where he was taking me so when he asked me which way, I had to let him know that I was from Australia and had not visited it before. So he explained the two ways and all I remember is taking roundabout after roundabout. After about 20 mins, he approached a gate with an attached demountable office and I leaned out the back window to advise my name and that I was with the BT Group. Thankfully, the other guys had left my name at reception who had passed it onto the gate, as they waved us through and the black cab pulled up. I paid up and strode up to the door and walked inside to the reception desk on the left, which reminded me of a QF Travel shop (just with a BA overlay). The building had an open foyer beyond the access point, with glass and aluminum/steel giving a very light and clean feeling.
One of them asked my name and after hearing it, said "we have been expecting you" and rang somebody to advise that I had arrived. Another BA dressed staff member came to collect me and give me my Visitor Pass. She delivered me to the entrance and I introduced myself to the BT Group and the BA staff member, who like most in the Museum, were former BA crew.
I had no previous knowledge about the history of BA, so it was intriguing to hear about BOAC, the routes and stops, times and crew; as well as seeing some of the old memorabilia. What was a special moment for all of us was when the BA staff member mentioned that there was a special guest In the Museum. Sure enough, whilst I didn't recognise him, most of the BT guys did straight away - it was Keith Williams of BA, with his guest being an executive from Boeing.
After we had been through the Museum, we were escorted back through to the reception area and then outside. We had agreed to meet at The Green Man - a pub not far from the perimeter of Heathrow and on the right days, was directly under the flight path on take-offs. Some had driven to Waterside so they took others in the group, while a group of about 6 to 8 of us took one of the BA staff buses to Hatton Cross tube station, from which we walked to The Green Man. Our leader Nigel attempted to show the letter received from BA Museum authorising us to ride the bus, but the driver didn't even bother looking at it, so we all filed in and found a seat towards the rear.
Reaching Hatton Cross, thankfully Nigel and Jim led me to the pub and we chatted on the way about what else, work and flying. We met up with the rest of the group and started to do what we Aussies and English do well - drink. I thought it would be interesting to not drink the same pint of beer, so I made sure that I had one of every different kind of beer the others were drinking.
Of course, the problem with long days is that it was after 9pm before we started to think about eating - but the menu was found and orders were up to the bar shortly thereafter. By this stage, I was running short on cash - thankfully we'd all had a skin full by then.
As can be expected, we all had great stories about flying, which may have been stretched by the amount of alcohol inbibed. But wherever in the world we are from, we have the same beefs about airlines and love using and sometimes sharing, the rules to our advantage, not the airline or program.
Needless to say, by the time the sun was setting (around 10.30pm), I was starting to put my mind towards tomorrow and was mindful that I didn't want to get back to the hotel blind drunk and have issues with lack of sympathy tomorrow from my family, flying out of Heathrow.
Most of us had stayed to the end, so I thanked them all for agreeing to hold the meeting this afternoon and what a convivial atmosphere it has been. Nigel and Jim were both walking back to Hatton Cross, so we ambled (well we felt we were, others may have described me unkindly as staggering) back and dropped Jim off at Jury's Inn on the way. I was also hoping to find an ATM, as I needed some extra £ to get me home - I'd only taken £40 with me and I had £5 plus a pocketful of change.
Nigel and I made it to Hatton Cross and I leaned into the window of the black cab at the head of the rank to get an idea on price back to the Crowne Plaza. He looked at me and I'm sure he could tell I didn't have the fare, advised £15. I thanked him and then explained my predicament to Nigel, who without hesitation opened his wallet and gave me £15 (just in case the fare was a little over). Needless to say, I am forever in Nigel's debt and am l looking forward to hosting him in BNE or SYD at the beginning of next year.
Rather than rush off in the cab, I waited with him until his bus came, then went back to the cab rank to wait. Being 11.45pm I was a little worried about the number of cabs that would frequent this area at this time of night and I did have to wait about 10 minutes for one to arrive. I jumped aboard, advising him of the hotel details and sat back in the seat, safe in the knowledge I would make it back (but yes, I did gave my eye on the meter). Thankfully it was only £16, so gave him my £20 and I tipped him the balance (as there was little need for the coins, given I wasn't back in England for 5.5 weeks).
I went up to our room, being careful not to wake my family who were all sleeping soundly. I fell into bed and soon entered the symphony of sounds emanating from the room.
Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app
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- was too busy eating) was fried cheese balls and tomato skewers; or pork and red pepper filo parcels. Yummy - and I was thankful that I knew that in the next couple of days I would be walking it all off.
