Day 1: Wed 14 Sep - Home to Brisbane to Perth to London, 33h05m

307km (3h45m) drive from Home to BNE Airport (4h35m wait), 5h30m BNE-PER  (2h wait); 17h15m PER-LHR

We left home at 4:45am and arrived at Majestic Caravans a tad after 8am just as they were opening, to drop the van for a check-up. We then parked next to Maccas and had breakfast, and took a wander over to the AirSafe tow hitch man. He reckons we don't need an AirSafe, rather another kind of hitch that helps in cushioning the dolphining effect and is an eighth of the price. 

We left Caboolture about 9:15am. Despite the traffic on the road, it all flowed nicely and the trip didn't take as long, and we arrived at the airport a little earlier than expected at 9:45am. And, the check-in queue was not as long as anticipated (maybe everyone is abandoning QANTAS for other airlines?) I had checked-in last night, however, had not been issued boarding passes, so after a short wait, was checked in all the way to Madrid. Minutes later, I was in the Brisbane QANTAS Business Lounge having another coffee.

Went for a wander through the terminal before setting up the laptop, clearing some emails, and blogging.

We boarded five minutes late, took off 10 minutes late and due to a stiff headwind, landed 30 minutes late. Not to worry, I originally had 2.5 hours in Perth, so now only had 2. I watched the new TopGun movie on the flight and it was good entertainment. The gate we landed at is directly opposite the international check-in gate, and after taking out my liquids, laptop and iPad and being scanned, I was through and quickly found the QC. It is a small lounge, and was about half full when I arrived, but managed to find a spot with a high bench so I could stand up. After five and a half hours sitting, I was ready to stand and walk around, especially as I was going to be confined to a flying metal box for the next 17.5 hours or so. Along with the small lounge, there are also thank fully less delights to tempt one to eat. I knew I was going to get dinner on board, so deliberately ate very little and restocked on the water supply.

When I first booked this trip I could only secure a seat in the middle of the aircraft, an aisle seat, but still close to someone I didn’t know. When I checked two nights ago, a window/aisle seat at had become available, so I quickly grabbed it. And what a great seat it is. Seat 5Kis in the middle of the cabin (lengthwise) and your tray table console is on the aisle so you get better privacy.

To pass the 17.5 hours, I watched three movies: Operation Mincemeat, Falling for Figaro, and The Dressmaker, had a nice steak for dinner; slept for about five hours; then watched another two movies: The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, and Bohemian Rhapsody. All good movies.


The legend JT was in the QC Business lounge this morning, not the best shot ever

787 Dreamliner


Business Class



My seat


My dinner

















Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 8: Wed 21 Sep - Seville

Image
22-32 deg C  Walk: 7.3km Was awake early again this morning so went down and made myself a coffee at the 'grab and go' in the lobby and went back up to my room. There were no presentations that I really wanted to attend, however, walked in with Jane and Ann to FIBES and met up with the Head of Corporate Communications and Advocacy and the Board Support and Co-ordinator so try and fix up our web page and make some information for MEPS members only.  Walked back via the supermarket for another Caesar salad for lunch; we do get lunch as part of the congress, however, it is a stodgy bread roll with various fillings, a packet of crisps, a chocolate bar, bottle of water, and sometimes a piece of fruit. I wanted something a little healthier. This one was not as good as the one I had the other day though, but still fed the worms nicely. Spent the afternoon doing the MEPS 70th anniversary photobook, and playing with different coloured backgrounds to get away from the military green in ...
Read more

Day 16: Thu 29 Sep - Singapore to Brisbane, 10h35m

We landed about five minutes early, and after a mid-length walk (good to stretch the legs), I was in the Singapore QC, that although has undergone a few renos over the years, essentially looks the same as it always has, maybe a bit bigger. Although the layover at Singapore was three hours, you have to be at your departure gate no less than 45 minutes prior to departure. I normally have a shower when at Singapore, however, elected to go without this time and just relax. Upon checking-in to the QC, I was informed it was about a seven minute walk to Gate C15 and I should leave the lounge at 7:45pm. There are no boarding announcements in this lounge so it is up to you to make your own way there. As soon as I saw the Gate was open I headed off.  After passing through the scanner again, me and my bags, complete with bag of fluids out, it was then a 20 minute wait for all passengers to pass through security and for the non-ambulant passengers to board. Finally on board, seat 6K on the A33...
Read more