Headed out to LHR-T5 on the london underground (well seems silly not too and saves a heck of a lot over the HEX). Terminal 5 was quite busy, but fairly quickly got boarding passes (hand luggage only) haviny already checked in on line.
The priority security was a joke and very slow. After this it was a tiny bit of shopping before heading to the South Lounges at T5 and chance to use the new Galleries. Much much better than the Terraces Lounges, with plenty of alcohol and a mixture of cold and hot buffet food (really good thai chicken curry). And there is champagne on demand - rose was better than normal. Rather oddly 4 armed police and 2 dogs handlers-sniffer dogs came in during out time and checked out the whole lounge area - no idea why.
Luckily we boarded from Gate 21, directly below the South Lounges which was good news. Short wait before being called to board. 5 people in 4 rows of club - very nice. Slight delay before we could push back, although it was only going to be a 1hr 10 flight. I commented to the other half that BA miss out on giving club europe passengers a pre-flight drink (the manage it on US first domestic flights)......and then as if by magic the purser opened 3 bottles of champagne and poured then into 5 glasses for a pre-flight drink. As we were the only 2 drinking, we managed to get through the first 2 bottles on the ground (the remaining 3rd was put into a plastic glass to drink on take off). once in the air, it was food time - short flight so only a cold salad option (chicken, stilton and pear salad) - very nice indeed. this was accompanied by a very nice Sav Blanc....and we were given a second bottle (just in case). Dinner was followed by a cognac or baileys option (something I have never seen on BA CE before). After a double miniature cognac, the second wine could not be opened and drunk. We asked if we could take it with us, and the purser said certainly and would you like another to take with you (who could refuse!!!)
All in all a really pleasant flight with a purser who went out of his way to make sure that we were well looked after. The nice touches of a pre-flight drink on the ground and then a post-dinner liquer was amaying (and something I doubt I'll ever see on Club Europe again!).
