V-Flyer

We had arranged to head up to Edinburgh to spend Hogmonany with friends - not heading into the centre of Edinburgh but an evening at theirs (where we could see the fireworks as well!). Flight booked on Avois points - 9,000 points and £30 each is pretty good value.

Took the tube out to LHR - fairly quiet once it got out of central London. Arrived at a quiet Terminal 5 and through security - this took a little while as the "fast track" queue was being filled by helpful BAA staff with families with buggies and all. A little bit of shopping (champagne for midnight celebrations) and then to the Galleries South. This was really quiet - I don't think I have even seen it so empty. Had the usual glass or two of champagne and a nice selection of lunch.

Flight came up as boarding from Gate 4 - didn't realise this was a domestic bus gate, which took us back round the main terminal to a gate opposite the Galleries South lounge! Headed off for the trek across the Terminal and arrived to an empty gate and a full bus. A few more passengers arrived after us, including the family who had stopped at the Wetherspoons to get a takeway lunch box each. It transpired later that they had forgotten to get cutlery, so had to ask the crew - managed to get two sets from somewhere, but had to share as there was three of them!

Plane was less than a quarter full I reckon - we had 1E/1F but 1D was free, so extra space. Manual safety demonstration - not had one of these on a short-haul flight for a long time. Long taxi down to the other end and then a bit of a wait before we headed off.

After take-off, the usual drinks round - G&T for me, but unfortunately they no longer stock slimline tonic on short haul routes. It is not the calories issue, I just think that slimline tonic has a slightly nicer taste! Watched some TV and had a second G&T - well it was offered, so would be rude not to!!

Arrived a little early to a very quiet Edinburgh Airport. They have been re-branding stuff so it is now black and purple signage around the airport rather than the old style BAA yellow and black. Wandered to grab a taxi to find no-one waiting (very unusual) and taxis driving off as no fares to be had.

All in all a very good flight - we hadn't realised how quiet travelling on NYE would be!

Interesting about it being quiet - media usually paints a picture of chaos!

My little jaunt down to Burgess Hill was on a half empty train too.

Sealink wrote:Interesting about it being quiet - media usually paints a picture of chaos!
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I like to play the game of totting up how many 'busiest travel day of the year' there actually are....

Hope Edinburgh was fun. I miss my trips there...