"Welcome aboard BMI Star Alliance flight 174 to London's Heathrow airport. Please stow you hand baggage under the seat in front of you or in the overhead locker.”
Overhead Locker? I feel like I'm at the gym! Funny how we speak the same language but use it differently.
The flight to London is a fast 1 hour flight and depart a bit late due to air traffic control (typical). We are scheduled to land at 10:00 am GMT. Regardless of our late departure, our arrival is on time.
BMI Brtitish Midland is a great airline and the flight attendant are adorable with their smart looking top-hats. while traveling through Europe, I notice many flight attendants still wear hats, a practice that seems to have died with American based airlines.
Food service on the flight is a cup of tea (of course) and a packet of Walkers shortbread. What no croissants? I never complain about having Walkers shortbread. It's the perfect way to gear up into London.
The music playing overhead on the plane is British classic pop, Boy George greets me as it did on my first trip to London in the 80's. That's funny because I am also staying in the same hotel I did in the 80's.
My hotel in London (after a number of failed Priceline bids) is the Kensington Close Hotel. I sure hope they've remodeled since last time I stayed there. I got a great rate on the Internet for only £89 ($160) a night. That's $160 a night for a tourist class hotel! London is not cheap! Hotels in London are a bit pricey and I wanted to stay in the Mayfair area but couldn't find a deal.
After collecting my luggage I plan to take the fast Heathrow Express to Paddington Station then either the tube or a shared taxi to my hotel. I am concerned that on the tube I may have to navigate stairs. I can't remember if the Kensington High Street station has an escalator or not.
At Paddington you can also get a shared ride flat rate taxi just outside the station.
Getting to and from the airport is a pain in the a**! Especially since I have acquired an additional bag and about 20 additional pounds (not on my body, in my luggage).
Once I get to London I have to start searching for lunch, I didn't have dinner last night and I am starting to feel hungry. Oh, I am not sure what you can expect for food reviews on this part of the trip, I am here on business and have to watch my spending.
I also plan to eat a lot of sandwiches while in London since they are inexpensive and the British do them so well with creative ingredients (how about a tandoori chicken sandwich with chutney?) and combinations.
Those who know me also know that I will be on the outlook for potato chips or “crisps” as they call them in the UK. They have a lot of original flavours and I want to get my fill. Maybe I will start a new blog called “I Heart Potato Chips”.
OK, it's 10am and we still haven't landed as promised. We are circling.
During one of my days in London I will also be taking a trip to Cambridge for a bit of business and wandering, that should be a interesting day. I was also thinking of a trip to Birmingham, but I think it may be just too far.
The captain has just announced that we are landing in 10 minutes.
Welcome to I Heart London.
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