What are you wearing to the Airport - DAY 1

[Alyson]

Travel to the Airport DAY 1 – SATURDAY 4th SEPTEMBER 2010

Me and Him


Today is the day! After 6 months planning, saving and praying that strikes, volcanoes and god knows what else can manage to be avoided for the duration we are as ready as we can be. The packing was started and finished yesterday, just a few last minutes bits and pieces to throw in.

Yesterday was Michael’s birthday, and although we are holding off on celebrations until we get to the Sunshine State, we had been out for a lovely meal and a nice bottle of fizz

We are both up before 6am and I ponder that if we wake up at the same time in Florida it will be 1am in the morning. Oh well I’ve got butterflies in my tummy and I feel a bit sick, I’m always the same.

Laura (DD) Antz and Baby Grace are coming to stay at the farm for the first week whilst we are away and I can’t wait for their arrival this morning. They are going to be dog sitting for the dog that we are dog sitting for They are only staying for one week and we are away for three – good luck mutt

First things first we are off to Weight Watchers – I am delighted to see that I’ve hit my first target! Let’s see what I manage to do with that in 3 weeks!

We arrive back home to find the kids are there, it’s lovely to see them all, almost makes me wish I wasn’t going as I love to spend time with them all. At 12, we all go out and enjoy a lovely lunch together, little Grace sleeps the whole way through bless her!

At home before we leave


So without further ado, we get throw everything in the car, do online check in ... still no decent UC upgrades - £4,000 ! I don’t think so LOL . Final check of all documents (this ritual is performed about 50 times! ) and we are off

We arrive at the Crowne Plaza Heathrow around 3pm, we are delighted to see we have been upgraded to a Club Room, we have stayed here quite a few times and have always thought the club lounge was worth paying extra for the drinks and food that is put out each evening. We would have paid to upgrade, but Michael usually gets given upgrades because of his Hol Inn Priority Club membership. Result!

We unpack a few bits and pieces – no Twilight check in at Heathrow, I can’t say that I’m particularly bothered about that. Within 20 minutes we have headed to the bar and relax with a nice cocktail each whilst chatting like giddy school kids about the holiday.

The Club Lounge drinks and canapés come out around 6pm, and feeling peckish we were there at 6pm. We waited and waited, the beer fridge was open but I didn’t want beer, one bottle of wine was already empty, 6.30pm Crisps and Nuts appeared then nothing. We were both hungry and we had bought food from M&S on the way down, so we went back to the room and had some food and then back to the club lounge. Eventually the champagne came out, and we were served all be it begrudgingly along with one plate of 4 small canapés between two of us, I really felt like we were imposing. The lounge was fairly full and everyone had to wait or queue. A guy that asked Oliver Twist style ‘please sir can I have some more’ was told no! I was pleased we hadn’t paid for this; I don’t think we will rush back here again. I hate to feel awkward.

We played cards and chatted for an hour or so

The Crowne Plaza Hotel - Heathrow


Checked online UC prices again – now £6,000 each – well it was way out of our league before now it’s so far out of our league I can’t even comprehend LOL!

We were in bed by 9pm watching a teeny tiny TV with a snowy picture and a choice of very basic channels – I made Michael start watching Notting Hill till I remembered how dire it was LOL

Time for sleep – roll on tomorrow

[happy08]

Well done on reaching your weight target A great start and waiting for more

[macdonald88]

Congrats on reaching your goal weight its a great feeling! Lol what a cheek at the Club Lounge.

[orlandosgr8]

Well done on reaching your goal

What a shame about the service in the hotel lounge though.

[Guest]

great start

[Guest]

Great start

[Helen0705]

Great start - love how you've done your photos .

[thewatsons]

nice start

[Milner]

Great start well done on getting to your target weight.

[Cinderella]

Great start