V-Flyer

Well half term was upon us and it was time to head to Madrid. We never usually go away at half term but now with Dragonbaby in the 6th form her school are even sniffier than they were before about out of school sojourns.
Anyway, back to the trip. The criteria was a few days away from a local airport (so either CWL or BRS).Mr DL fancied Poland but as I went there many many years ago (Cold War era) and fancied something slightly warmer, we settled on Madrid.
Dragonbaby is currently grounded (probably forever,) so had a face like a smacked backside at the prospect of spending 4 days in the scintilating company of her parents. The journey to BRS was uneventful (having found MR DLs elusive passport in the nick of time)and we arrived at the terminal with 15 mins to spare before check in closed.
BRS has improved significantly in the past few years (I was last there in January), and is now quite a pleasant provincial airport.Check in was a doddle- 2 bags to go in the hold and boarding cards in hand we proceeded through a deserted security and into a busy departures lounge. The whole process took less than five minutes and was painless.Boarding was called about 15 minutes later and as wed arrived so late and I was too mean to pay for priority boarding we were almost last to board ( there was one bloke behind us [:D]) as the queue had formed before we even got in to the departures area.
Consequently, we were seated separately with MR DL being in 1E, DB in 4F and me in 7F. I hate it when people sit in the D and E sats and then glare at you when you ask to sit in the empty window seat [V].
The Captain announced an almost full flight and we pushed back almost on time.The runway at BRS is on a reasonable incline and our Airbus thundered up the runway and once through the clouds we were greeted with bright sunshine.
Easyjet do get a bit of a bashing and I havent travelled with them for about six years but I have to say the flight was excellent. Bright cheery crew and a clean and pleasant cabin. What more could you ask for? The trip was uneventful - just under two hours most of which was spent listening to my itouch. I didnt bother with food or a drink but a couple of rounds were made.
Descent into Madrid was uneventful and we were parked up quickly. No airbridge so a quick sprint into the terminal for DB and I (MR DL was long gone)through an empty immigration hall and into a chaotic baggage reclaim . The phrase booze ups and breweries springs to mind but getting the gist of a Spaniard shouting at another Spaniard (who was attempting to get a carousel working again)we headed for another carousel where the BRS bags were being unloaded. Ours were out virtually first and 15 mins after touching down we were heading towards the Metro which was a 7 minute walk ( the rationale being that the traffic would be awful and it would probably take less time than in a taxi).
The Madrid metro is clean efficient (and cheap [}:)]) and we arrived at the hotel 30 minutes after leaving the airport.
Madrid is fiendishly expensive (much worse than London and Dublin IMHO)so were grateful for the Club room ( and very pleasant lounge [:D])I booked at the Intercontinental (and from where Im writing this with a nice glass of Rioja in hand).
Back home tomorrow [:)] (and DB still has a face like a smacked bottom [:D][:D]).
DL

Thanks for the TR. I flew U2 to AGP for a friends wedding and was dreading it. We left on time, bags arrived and got there safely! What more could you ask for?

Oh dear naughty DB! [n] Hope she enjoys the rest of the trip.

Dominic

Mrs DL, I LUV Madrid, hope you have a fab time. Your TR made me scream with laughter, especially picturing your daughters smacked botty face! Hope she cheers up.

I agree, I'd fly EJ if I had to, with the right level of expectation and all but appreciate their clean flights and cheery crew.

Have fun and a great flight home [y].

Great TR and pleased you had a good flight. Enjoy Madrid and hope DB's face recovers soon!

Thanks for the TR[y]
quote:I hate it when people sit in the D and E sats and then glare at you when you ask to sit in the empty window seat .

Surely Easy jet allow you to buy more than one seat for your exclusive privilege[:D][:D]

I have never taken Easy jet (but alas Ryanair[:(!]) and I never seen a truly bad report - you did not mention in your TR if the booking process is as much a nightmare as Ryanair?

I am sure there will come a time when Dragonbaby is only too keen to go away on holiday with you (especially you are paying and it is to a destination she wants[}:)])

Thanks once again

buns

quote:Originally posted by slinky09
Mrs DL, I LUV Madrid, hope you have a fab time. Your TR made me scream with laughter, especially picturing your daughters smacked botty face! Hope she cheers up.

Madrid is lovely (and unseasonably warm at present). Lots to do and see but like I said horribly expensive to eat and drink in (4.5 euros for a VERY small beer [:0]).
No she hasn't (cheered up). I'm now being harassed for the laptop [}:)].
I can't remember being quite so vile at 16 and 3/4......[:D][:D]
Jacki- not even the slightest possibility of a facial improvement.
Buns-I'm never taking her away again (until the next trip [:)])
DL

Lovely trip report and loved the description of DB's face! Don't worry, it will only last until she's 20 or thereabouts [:o)]

Enjoy the Rioja

quote:Originally posted by honey lamb
Lovely trip report and loved the description of DB's face! Don't worry, it will only last until she's 20 or thereabouts [:o)]

Enjoy the Rioja


20!!.Heaven help[:0][:0]. The Rioja is lovely [:D].Last glass before I turn in [:D].
DL

DL

Thanks for the TR.

quote:Originally posted by buns
Thanks for the TR[y]
quote:I hate it when people sit in the D and E sats and then glare at you when you ask to sit in the empty window seat .


Me too....it's a deliberate ploy. They usually get papers and laptop out too (to demonstrate how busy they are) and then spend the flight reading the EZY in flight magazine.

quote:Originally posted by buns
I have never taken Easy jet (but alas Ryanair[:(!]) and I never seen a truly bad report - you did not mention in your TR if the booking process is as much a nightmare as Ryanair?


The EZY booking process is simple, and prices are always quoted inclusive of tax. The only things to watch for are they will always assume 1 piece of checked luggage and that you want their insurance, which you have to remove.

Paul

quote:Originally posted by DragonLady
and see but like I said horribly expensive to eat and drink in (4.5 euros for a VERY small beer [:0])


It's the Euro / Pound alas, I had a weekend in Paris in September, the first for a long while, and even I raised my eyebrows with the prices we were paying.

quote:Originally posted by slinky09
quote:Originally posted by DragonLady
and see but like I said horribly expensive to eat and drink in (4.5 euros for a VERY small beer [:0])


It's the Euro / Pound alas, I had a weekend in Paris in September, the first for a long while, and even I raised my eyebrows with the prices we were paying.


I agree - I have always found Madrid to be a reasonable city price wise unlike Brussels - dread to think what a small beer costs now at the stuffed horse [n] Not that it would stop me from have 1 or 3 [:w]

quote:Originally posted by DragonLady

Easyjet do get a bit of a bashing and I havent travelled with them for about six years but I have to say the flight was excellent. Bright cheery crew and a clean and pleasant cabin. What more could you ask for? The trip was uneventful - just under two hours most of which was spent listening to my itouch. I didn't bother with food or a drink but a couple of rounds were made.



Sounds exactly like every other flight I've made with Easyjet. Have never had a problem hence why I have no hesitation in using them again in the future. [:)]

I have not had a bad flight on easyJet - and their website is generally extremely user friendly.

quote:Originally posted by slinky09
quote:Originally posted by DragonLady
and see but like I said horribly expensive to eat and drink in (4.5 euros for a VERY small beer [:0])


It's the Euro / Pound alas, I had a weekend in Paris in September, the first for a long while, and even I raised my eyebrows with the prices we were paying.

No it's not. Even I would find 4.50 for a very small beer dear and I live with the euro

quote:Originally posted by honey lamb

No it's not. Even I would find 4.50 for a very small beer dear and I live with the euro


It may not be for you, but comparatively when you're used prices in Pounds, many things in Euros have become more costly!

quote:Originally posted by slinky09
quote:Originally posted by honey lamb

No it's not. Even I would find 4.50 for a very small beer dear and I live with the euro


It may not be for you, but comparatively when you're used prices in Pounds, many things in Euros have become more costly!

The point I was making that it wasn't the pound/euro thing necessarily but that I too would find 4.50 dear for a small beer compared with prices over here.

I have always found Euro countries to be expensive. There is a saying in Spain, which I can't remember but it's something to do with Euros and the wind - the money never seems to last. 10.00 will get me far more in the UK than EUR10.00 in Spain would. Or Ireland. And possibly France etc.

Thank you for the TR.[y]