Anne and John's journey to San Francisco

From Around the World in 84 days in Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom on Jan 07 '10

roundtheworldin84days has visited no places in Heathrow Airport
Party time whilest we await on the taxiway at Heathrow
Party time whilest we await on the taxiway at Heathrow
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Guess what, it didn't get any better!

Our flight from Manchester was delayed from 09.55 to 11.40, then we sat on the plane until 13.45 when it took off, landing an hour later.  Then we sat on the approach to the terminal building for 3 hours, so we missed our flight to SF.  Only 40 passengers were on the plane and plenty of free drinks were provided, John you would have been well pleased!! Had to queue in Terminal 5 for a hotel room for 2 hours, could only re-book a flight for Saturday, and that was after the man in front of us in the queue had very kindly let us use his phone to speak to British airways after he had sorted his own flight out, and that was after hanging on for an hour.  Had a really grotty room in the old part of the Thistle Hotel in Barbican, London, and returned to airport before 09.00am. However getting to the underground was a bit hairy, trying to keep upright on the icy pavements in unsuitable shoes.   Anne spent 2 hours queuing and looking for cases in bagage reclaim - one is around somewhere and the other 2 are presumably on their way to SF today.  John was trying to get us on a stand-by flight and we managed to get to the right place to do that at lunchtime, then had a nerve-racking hour to wait for check-in to close and hooray we were successful, but lost  our seats in premier economy.  At the moment we are sitting in the departure lounge.

John at the controls of the plane but we still could get to the airbridge.
John at the controls of the plane but we still could get to the airbridge.
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Thanks for your comments so far received, we look forward to seeing more, and know that you will all be sympathising with us.


chrisandfaith avatar chrisandfaith on Jan. 7, 2010 @ 07:45AM said
I don't know 'weather' we sympathize or not because eventually you will be enjoying better conditions than us!!
John Hutchinson avatar John Hutchinson on Jan. 7, 2010 @ 11:45AM said
Anne, that'll teach you to retire! It can only get better but I'm sure you've both found it fun! (PS Where are the Phillips dictation tapes?)
Vanessa Allen avatar Vanessa Allen on Jan. 7, 2010 @ 08:01AM said
What a journey so far, it can only get better.........hopefully lots of sunshine for you soon, looks like more snow for us!!! Fingers crossed flights are straight forward from now on x
Ruth Parry avatar Ruth Parry on Jan. 7, 2010 @ 08:44AM said
What a fiasco - hope it didn't get worse and that you have a wonderful time in San Francisco - hopefully with ALL your luggage! Love Ruth
Eric & Jenny avatar Eric & Jenny on Jan. 7, 2010 @ 07:54AM said
Sorry to hear of all your problems. All your carefully made plans John have been thrown up in the air. Hope your flight is comfortable and your luck changes. We are still snow bound and it is freezing cold. love Eric & Jenny
Deborah Armstrong avatar Deborah Armstrong on Jan. 7, 2010 @ 09:37AM said
ohhhh noooo wot a disaster . hopefully things can only get better from now on. im sure once yur out of this country everything will run smoothly. Deborah xx
Rishworths avatar Rishworths on Jan. 7, 2010 @ 02:57PM said
What an adventure!!! I am looking on the positive side! Hope all is well now. A lost suitcase - does that mean a shopping trip in the USA Anne ? Take care of each other Night night Susan x
Jenny Hammond avatar Jenny Hammond on Jan. 8, 2010 @ 11:57PM said
Sorry to here all your troubles at the start of your trip..but its not how you start its how you finish that matters! Soon you will be in glorious sunshine....not like us stuck here in the snow! lol Take care and looking forward to next instalement x
Ian Gordon avatar Ian Gordon on Jan. 7, 2010 @ 10:21AM said
Anne/John Nightmare... hope you have got away by now - 6pm Thursday and still snowing - sure once you get to SF you will be free of all these travel glitches ian

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