V-Flyer

I'm still in disbelief about the fate of Little Red; I really thought it was a strong business model and VS was an excellent contender in the market. I expected it to go a lot further than it did. Such a shame.

Anyway, on to the trip report!

We planned a very quick trip to Edinburgh, one day to be exact, and much to my husband's delight the flight is very short and sweet (he hates flying and resents even flying in UC lol).

Last time I took the National Express I vowed never to do it again, but alas with the unreliability of the trains and convenience of travelling directly from my home town to the airport, I was duped into it... We arrived an hour early and very glad we did, as a huge queue quickly built up. This didn't stop people turning up at the last minute and pretending there wasn't a queue, blatantly walking in front of everyone except us (my OH and I assumed blocking formation). Then cue last minute families turning up, and asking everyone to move on the coach so they can be sat together...

Roughly an hour late we arrived at T2, and took the HX to T5 to use the walkway to the Sofitel. Sofitel = wow. Always been a Hiltonite before but we are both now converted. From the TV in the bathroom to the amazingly comfortable bed, we loved it. We made it just in time for tea and scones in the Millesime lounge, and then back again for evening canapes and snacks, which turned out to be enough to feed several horses. We enjoyed the good selection of wine, tottered around T5 for a bit and then hit the sack.



We returned for an early breakfast in the lounge the following morning, accompanied only by a very loud and obnoxious American chap, who was even knocking on the door of the kitchen in the back and shouting for orange juice whilst the buffet was still being laid out...

This was my first time in T2 so I did the nerdy thing and took pictures of the giant sculpture in the atrium, and had a quick wander around before the flight in the morning. Turned up to a busy gate, and we were the last to board being in row 2. I used the phone boarding pass for the first time, and never again. Very fiddly trying to get it to display whilst sorting passport etc. Definitely reverting back to paper next time! They snap a photo of you whilst boarding, which is a first for me??





Everyone settled quickly, and we left bang on time. Cabin crew were friendly - not 'Atlantic' friendly but professional and smiley. Given crisps and a juice - but no coffee as no decaf on board. Just the one drinks run due to the short flight.

Some very decrepit looking magazines and flight cards in the seat in front - I guess there is no point in replenishing these given that the service ceases next month.

Captain promises us a view of Edinburgh Castle, and I only just manage to make it out in time as we come in for landing.

Again disembarking is very prompt, but lots and lots of stairs to climb as we go into EDI. Nice feeling to not have any immigration to worry about on internal flights. Out of the airport very quickly.

We took the tram to the centre, and then a short walk to the Waldorf Astoria. Here is where I am moved even further away from being a Hiltonite. Showed my silver HH card, and told room isn't ready but we'll receive a text when it is. So we put our bags in with the concierge, and headed straight to the Castle. We walked for about 5 minutes and then the text came through, which was a little bit annoying as we would have just waited in the lobby had we known...

A few hours later after the Castle we returned, got into our room, and waited a pretty long time for our bags (which it seemed we didn't have the option of collecting ourselves). Thought we'd have a quick cuppa, and opened the kettle only to be greeted by a foul smell. Looking inside it was riddled with some kind of brown scum... Called reception to replace, waited half an hour, called again, and waited another half an hour before replacement finally delivered! Room was 'nice' but full of wear and tear and generally not quite as should have been. No complimentary water as normal with silver HH, and I won't even get started on the wi-fi...

Anyway, moans aside, we weren't there just for the hotel, and we had a lovely time in Edinburgh. See my blog post on Edinburgh Castle if you are interested: http://ephemeralglobe.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/edinburgh-castle-at-glance.html

Return trip report coming soon... I did have more pictures but it will only allow me to upload 3 - does anyone know if this is normal?

Thanks for posting your TR ,a most enjoyable read .
Edinburgh is a lovely place ,I must go again I think , I believe you can post a few more pics but I don't have a clue how to do any so hopefully someone else can advise .

Thanks!

I'm sure I'll figure it out soon lol