V-Flyer

Please excuse my ramblings in advance as it seems ages since I have written a trippy on here, sorry

This was to be a holiday with my partner Steve but it turned out he was dreading it because he has had enough of the Mickey mouse routine, me being the the guy that will never grow up decided to be brave and go on holiday alone. First time solo that far and a little nervous but the prospect of 1st class by train to Gatwick a night in the Hiltons King Suite and a two week stay in a Suite at The Royal Pacific Universal with enough spends for twowas easing my reservations about the trip.

I know this is really about the flight but I might stray in to other stuff so forgive me.

Dropped off at the Leeds 1st class lounge awaiting my train, this is a room you would ordinarily not want to be in ( rather like the school cellar ) but because its got 1st class on the door you buy a £5 ticket to get in, train journey very comfy, actually got the advertised hot meal which is rare, they only loaded three, but a return journey in 1st for £80 isn't bad really. Arrive Kings Cross and a dash to the taxi rank to take me through my favourite city to Victoria, passed Hotel 41 which will be my last weeks stay of my three week holiday. They seem to be knocking most of that area down, though the Stag pub isn't much of a loss.

The GEX train is not as nice as the HEX but never mind, eventually I found the Hilton after various re-trys and several visits to different floors of the carp ark in the lifts.

My King suite in The Hilton was spotless and very very nice especially given I was set to stay at Sofitel until Hilton Honors threatened to take my points if I didn't stay with them, they got them in the end in exchange for the king suite.

Fast forward through about 5 times getting lost in the hotel, three long island iced teas, turkey carvery, bottle of bubbles from fridge and a bubble bath jacuzzi, several hours watching "Dave" then 5 staged wake up calls from Hotel, Steve my mobile and iPad, coffee and orange delivered by a rather fit guy from eastern Europe and its time to hit the check-in.

Looking resplendent in black Jeans, Gucci Shoes a sleep suite top from last time and a Hermes belt so huge it could be used as a medieval weapon and my new beloved Mulberry case and LVs
off I go down the moving walkway avoiding the neanderthals that think its ok to cough over everyone's shoulder ( don't people use their hands any more ).

Upper Class check in didn't look all that cool to be honest, the lady on check in was professionally polite but not overly friendly. I had checked in the day before on my iPad coming down on the train. Priority line was open, being on my own must have been the reason this trip would be one I would be frisked on quite a lot with an extra look at my bags and shoes too. Had a panic as I couldn't remember where my passport was with all the kerfuffle, eventually found the last place I looked. I needed to sit for a while and cool off.

I had actually asked my gp for some pills for this part of the journey, I don't know why but the airport security part of travelling gets me so nervous I get hot sweaty and decidedly guilty looking. Anyway given Diazepam and booze doesn't mix the prospect of cocktails in the lounge won over so I didn't take any.

Down the corridor I could see the warm glow of safety and friendliness that is The Clubhouse it drew me in like a vampire on a moving walkway. I sat down and thought YES I did it.
Breakfast of Eggs Benedict with a couple of Bucks Fizz and a pot of tea. The lounge got so so busy I could not believe it so I decided to look at the shops, came back with the only Tom Ford fragrance I cant stand, must have gone to the counter with the wrong one, thankfully my Tuscan Leather was waiting at home for me.

I had been looking at the refit thread on here a lot to see what chance of getting one would be, turned out it was Virginia Plain, never mind I thought its not as if Upper would be that different.

I went down to the gate about an hour before boarding, searched again including bags, some interest was paid to Prada Bear who travels with me everywhere, no way were they going to dissect him lol.

I watched the people who needed assistance to get on the plane along with the rest of their tribes some of whom I had seen already in departures whizzing about without their sticks.

Got to the door and the CC was explaining to one pax ( special assistance )their seat was up some steep stairs, never mind that's where we wanted to sit and whoosh up they go. State side I was out of breath trying to get past them blocking the corridor on the way to immigration.

I was first in the UCS apart from one lady who pushed past everyone with her purple card including me, she was kind of annoying but at the same time I envied her being brave enough to do it. I managed to get my bags in the overhead above 8a which was the only thing I was that bothered about. Prada Bear on his drinks stand for the journey as usual. Bubbly offered in abundance and a very friendly cabin crew who all took a fancy to the bear, I think they kind of knew I quite fancy a bear myself .

Two very nice blokes in 6a/k on their honeymoon were getting spoilt which I thought was quite lovely, their partnership was announced over the pa system too. Well done VA.

I was offered my welcome drink and the food was really quite nice, I asked for chicken because I didn't expect there would be enough steak. It was really very nice. The chocolate pudding was lovely too.

My entertainment system worked fine, the suite was grubby but it worked, I did notice lots of temporary repairs to the fittings on the ceiling and a couple of overheads.

Cant say the bar was overly welcoming it had a lot of stuff piled on it.

I sat at the bar and was joined by the lady who had whizzed past with the purple card, turned out she was charming and was the personal dresser of Daniel Craig, she had complimented me on my ensemble so I must have been doing something right.
She was going to Universal to talk about dressing/themeing the new Harry Potter stuff at Universal Studios.

Other than that an uneventful flight that was very very pleasant with an exemplary crew in Upper.

I could add more but I have to go on an errand for work so might expand later.

Thanks for reading and sorry for my probable errors.

great TR. hope you enjoyed your time in the sun

All very understated and no bragging or name dropping at all . Well done

Thank you for taking the time to post yout TR. A very enjoyable read.

Hi EGG

Nice TR, I have done Orlando a few times solo (usually when we need to use up spare Disney points) and sometimes it can be quite "different"

Other times it's nice to sit at the pool and watch the world go by.

Must get some trips booked so we can experience the new refurbs although as usual the crew can make or break your flight.

David

Henrey wrote:All very understated and no bragging or name dropping at all . Well done

Sorry, I do love nice bags n stuff for the other 50 weeks of the year they languish in a wardrobe so I do tend to mention it if they get to go a tripping. And to be honest if the girl had told me the price of the belt on Bond St before I entered my pin number I wouldn't have bought it, like they say if you have to ask, and I didn't .

Wasnt sure about doing a trippy after all this time off forum
ahh well.

I quite enjoyed the sartorial interludes, am just worried I will be under dressed in my chinos and shirt

easygoingeezer wrote:Wasnt sure about doing a trippy after all this time off forum

Pleased to see you back and reporting on your adventures...though Daniel Craig's dresser on not, rude is just plain rude in my book...

EGG

the wait since your last TR was well worth it A marvellous vignette full of observations that had me chuckling along the way

The comment from your companion at the bar is true appreciation Working as a do with people from the rag trade, those who know about quality clothing can spot it a mile off and to be complemented by such a professional shows they really meant it

Thanks for a super TR

buns

Great TR, really enjoyed it. Pleased to hear the flight was good.

Brilliant TR, very enjoyable read.

Hi EGG, thanks for the TR. One thing that intrigues me, why go to the hassle of getting to Victoria when you could've caught the fast (after it leaves London Bridge) train next door at St Pancras International?

Very entertaining TR....

Great TR - thank you !

Glad to se you back reporting again EGG - loved the report x

Nice TR!!! Thanks for sharing

McMaddog wrote:Hi EGG, thanks for the TR. One thing that intrigues me, why go to the hassle of getting to Victoria when you could've caught the fast (after it leaves London Bridge) train next door at St Pancras International?

Had no idea, but thanks I will certainly look in to that for my next trip