32-AUG—The Journey Home, or “The day of eating and lounging”

Part I

Theresa got the "Sleepy Bulldog".  Bill enjoyed it, tho'.

Since we woke up a little early, we got going and ready in time to head up to the Hilton Lounge.  Of course, there was the obligatory and final “Swedish Meatballs” and some coffee, cheese, etc.  Theresa had arranged a ride to the airport, which got us there in time for a long line at check in, but we finally got through it and through security without losing our jam (as the poor guy in front of us did)(not having any jam helps in not losing any).  Apparently “jam” is a liquid.  Since we are Business Class, they pointed us to the airport lounge where we enjoyed a nice light second breakfast, with meat, cheese, and of course beer.  There was a self-serve wine dispenser, but we considered that might be unseemly so early (unlike beer).

Part II

Business boards through the jetbridge.  Back of the plane
goes downstairs and outside to the back air stairs!

The flight was pretty good.  In Europe, they call the upgraded class “Business”, but BA calls it “Club Europe”.  They have normal coach seats, but block the middle so you have only two people, and the service is nicer.  Of course, we had lunch, which included beets (thumbs up from Bill, thumbs down from Theresa).  No movie though.  It was an old plane.

We landed in Heathrow, and went to Terminal 5.  But our flight was Terminal 3, so walked, waited, bussed, walked, and went through security, so we could walk some more.  But we made it to the British Airways Business Class “Galleries” lounge.  There, we had our second lunch, which for Bill, included beets and oh, there were MEATBALLS!  So, yeah, I had that.  Theresa had some meatballs, and other things, including a nice Cornish ale (Tribute).  It went well with Bill’s Scotch.

BA knows how to set up a bar!!

Part III

The last flight was long enough that they served two meals; a full dinner as we began, and a light “second dinner”, continuing the theme of two of every meal!  For the main meal, Bill’s included a side of beets, which, by that point was just funny.  Missing the meat balls, though.  We did our usual long flight routine:  meal and movie, nap for Theresa and movie for Bill, and then another shared movie, typically overlapping the second meal.  For the second meal, which was really just a sandwich and fruit, Bill continued the “local beer” effort, by having a Samuel Adams, since we were over the United States.

Does this mean we were gone too long??

The End…(until November!)