V-Flyer

A trip booked only ten days in advance for sad family business was our first chance to use a miles plus more ticket. While the small outlay of miles saved a fortune, I do wish I got some miles or tier points for the trip, but oh well.[n]

Anyway after a hectic morning at work, I picked up the in-laws and DW and we headed down to San Francisco, from Napa about an hour and a half to the airport parking. Soon after we were in the UC check in. The in-laws are tight and so were in economy, I had done OLCI to get them a D and E, which hadnt been available when they purchased their tickets. I had them accompany us to check in, to make a pitch for the bulk head, the desk agent was very friendly and promised to do his best down at the gate. Apologies to the guy behind who we kept waiting for a couple of minutes, normally we are super quick through check in.

All done and off to the tranquility of the lounge. Said tranquility lasted about ten minutes, by which time my father in law had conspired to throw a glass of red wine over us[V]. DWs white jacket was pretty much ruined even with quick a application of soda water. Emergency over I enjoyed the butter lettuce salad with walnuts, chicken and pears. Mother in law loved the poppy seed cake with berries and whipped cream. After a quick beer we were off to the gate.

Immediately outside the lounge is a new store called Landing Gear where DW got a cute denim jacket to replace ruined jacket and paid $25 for it. Great deal. Security was pretty quick and then I queued for ever in one of SFOs completely unsuitable book shops, more of a book corridor really, no room and a terrible selection. What a crappy airport this really is. At least in the United Domestic terminal there is a good bookshop, but in International nothing of the sort. Does that make this a very unusual airport, I always thought people spent a lot of money on books and magazines before taking flights.

Apparently they did a good job of priority boarding, though we boarded last so it didnt matter. The desk agent came through and got the in laws a bulkhead, so all was going well.

On board we headed to 16 and 17K. I prefer upstairs on the 747, but DW hates having to push past the PE passengers to get off first, so we were downstairs. Suite was in a good condition, though not fitted with the control protector so we had a couple of moments when dining together later.

We pulled away from the gate on time, and got the dreaded news, tail winds, only a nine hour flight, in economy that would be reason to cheer, in UC cause for sadness, basically one hour less in bed. Of course at the other end Im sure tail winds will translate into a nice long holding pattern with no IFE.

Service seems much slower downstairs than upstairs and I think next time I will choose the front section, I was afraid the IFBT area would be an annoyance, but Im not sure its so obtrusive, maybe someone else can chime in on that one.

Any way after a drink and a chat the FSM, Michelle OShea (permission to use her name requested and given) was very friendly [:D]and dispensed landing cards and fast track passes for us and the in laws. She invited them up to UC for a drink as well and was generally very accommodating. She is one of the better FSM Ive flown with. We brought the in laws up for a drink. MIL sat with DW and FIL sat with me at the bar, he would love to spend some of his hard earned cash on UC, but MIL is tighter than Mr. Retrospective Tax himself, Gordon Brown. Crew were very friendly and topped up our glasses a couple of times.

By now it was time for dinner so we sat at DWs table and enjoyed:

DW Italian Ciabatta with Prosciutto, salami and mozzarella (smaller bite)
Molten chocolate pudding with raspberry coulis

Me Flat Iron Steak with Merlot pepper butter, cheddar mash, baby carrots and asparagus.
Molten chocolate pud also.

Sandwich was so-so. Steak was very flavorful and cooked just rare of medium, which was a pleasant surprise. The mash was not great, but the veg was very good.
Pud was really good. Make that really, really good. Ive been on a diet for about six weeks, Ive dropped 20 pounds, but as everyone knows, UC calories dont really count.[}:)]

Wines
Sauvignon Blanc, Les Fumees Blanches 2006, Vin de Pays dOc, France quite good.

Hewitson LuLu V, Viognier 2006, Victoria, Australia named after that feisty red headed entertainment powerhouse of the 70s no doubt. This wine made me want to SHOUT. Actually had some good varietal character on the nose, but was a little thin and insipid on the palate.

Bastide St. Vincent 2006, Vin de Pays de Vaucluse, France
A gutsy red from the southern Rhone, really quite drinkable.

Elvara Pedra Azul 2006, Toro, Spain
A juicy red from Spain, good fruit and tons of new oak. Really quite entertaining by glass 3.

After dinner it was lights out and I woke up about four hours later. I decided to get up and get changed rather than bother with a few extra minutes snoozing. After the obligatory bacon roll for breakfast I switched on the IFE for the first time, caught an episode of Extras and started writing this TR.

And now, weve just passed the Isle of Man on our approach towards London. So I will pack up the laptop and read for the remainder of the flight.

Landing was a little early, then we began the trek to the arrivals hall. Quickly through the immigration check and then a bit of a wait for the luggage. Of course the in laws luggage came right away, the desk agent had kindly tagged them as ours to expedite their delivery, while we had a bit of a wait for ours to come through. Of to Arrivals where after a quick breakfast we enjoyed a long (hot[y]) shower then headed out.

Have they cycled the menus VERY recently?

On both my outbound LHR-BOS (16/Jul) and inbound SFO-LHR (24/Jul), there was a cracking Californian Chardonnay... [?]


It'll be a shame if they've changed that one already. [V]

Was that the Avila? If so I didn't try it.

Yup - that's the one. [y]

Thanks for the TR[y][y]

All done and off to the tranquility of the lounge. Said tranquility lasted about ten minutes, by which time my father in law had conspired to throw a glass of red wine over us

I hate to think what the carpet must be like with this and the GJ escapade where the attendant did the throwing.

An emergency jacket for $25[:0] Heathrow shops please take note

thanks once again

buns

Immediately outside the lounge is a new store called Landing Gear where DW got a cute denim jacket to replace ruined jacket and paid $25 for it. Great deal.

When I was through SFO three weeks ago they were just beginning to stock up the place. There were boxes everywhere.

Nice TR. [y]

Thanks, Matt, for a fine report.

Chuck-

Originally posted by napamatt
Elvara Pedra Azul 2006, Toro, Spain
A juicy red from Spain, good fruit and tons of new oak. Really quite entertaining by glass 3.

My currently favourite in-flight wine. I knocked quite a few glasses back on my flight to SFO yesterday and intend to have a few more on the flight back on Friday.

Does this new shop sell men's clothes too, or just women's?

I walked past it last week, and it seemed to have both. Some quite cool stuff in there too [y]

I'll make sure I take the time to check it out then.

Mens and womens I think, it looked pretty cool, and very reasonable.