I used public transport from Cockfosters to the airport, which was a mistake. Piccadilly Line to Kings Cross, then Northern Line to Bank, then a packed DLR to the airport. The DLR was standing room only at 0630am but thankfully emptied at Poplar. I had a seat anyway
I had already checked in online, and selected seat 3D, and at the bag drop the BA check in addressed me by name. It SO makes a difference, and all it took was her looking at my boarding pass.
Security was cleared in literally moments,
and then off to enjoy departures.Perhaps it was the time of the morning, but I was not impressed with the staff in Departures. There was a small concession selling coffees, croissants etc. and it was all self service.
PET HATE ALERT!
After selecting my croissant and Innocent smoothie I paid for it and the cashier put the change on her side of the counter so I had to stretch over and pick it up. Whatever happened to handing someone their change? Anyway, enough of that, more pet hates to come.
I sat overlooking the runway which had a great view of SWISS planes landing.
Then off to WHSmith for a copy of Private Eye. I didn't have any change on me at this time and they refused to accept my debit card as it was under a five pound transaction. Another pet hate. I was directed to a cash machine, that charged me £1.95 per transaction, but only had £20 notes. I went back to WHSmith and got a dirty look - I think he thought I had handed him a £20 note on purpose. But he had his little victory by again not handing me my change. Do I have a face that says I don't deserve service? So sick of this, thankfully still rare, kind of attitude.
At the cash machine there was a gaggle of CityJet/AirFrance staff gossiping about 'my Dave'. I now know too much about her Dave and his opinions for comfort. But it did come across as very unprofessional.
I later discovered a restaurant serving cooked breakfasts and sat there nursing a coffee for a while, until I got bored and had a wander round. I wasn't ogling the armed cops who were doing the rounds of the airport, got that?
PET HATE ALERT ENDS....
I walked to the gate, taking some pics of other aircraft there. I think this is my first sighting of a Luxair plane.
So onto BA (Cityflyer).
The aircraft was an Embraer E170, which is now my favourite aircraft. I flew an Embraer E195 with FlyBE a few weeks ago and they are very nice.
Onboard was clean, it felt spacious and the colour scheme was relaxing. My copy of Highlife magazine was tattered but I suppose in this day and age replacing them is an expense too far. I had a great window seat and it was a very smooth flight. Shortly after take off, breakfast was served.
Don't have the breakfast. Even with my cast iron stomach, this was a bad meal.
The flight was uneventful, there was a crying baby in Row 2 who was distracted by a number of passengers, including me, and the mum seemed grateful. Which was nice.
Would I use London City again? Yes, but I think I would spend the £35 on a taxi instead of public transport. British Airways Cityflyer were exemplary in their service, if not the meal.
From Edinburgh to the city I used the Airlink service, which seems to be trying to bring the whole experience upmarket, with free Wifi and quite a nice interior. It was fine and I'd use it again.
The bus dropped me off at Edinburgh Waverly station where I went to for my connecting First ScotRail train to Pitlochry.
Now in Scotland they have done a rather clever thing: in the rest of the UK, everytime a new rail franchise is announced, the winner then spends a lot of time repainting everything in their own corporate colours.
To avoid this expense, the Scottish Parliament have designed their own corporate look for ScotRail, which will remain unchanged no matter who wins the next franchise. Simples.
That aside, the train to Pitlochry is the Inverness service, and was packed. There was one seat left in First Class, which for a supplement of £5.40 was mine. For that you get a plug to charge phones, laptops with, unlimited tea and coffee or water, and of course, the obligatory shortbread biscuits. It is Scotland after all!
The journey was uneventful, and before long, Pitlochry station was reached. It's a lovely traditional station, befitting the very picturesque town of Pitlochry.
I still had ages before my bus from Pitlochry to Rannoch, so killed some time with lunch: pie & chips, followed by a traditional Scottish desert, cranachan, washed down with a pint of Best.
Cranachan consists of cream, mixed with honey and whisky, layed with raspberries and topped with shortbread. Mmmmmm .
My bus to Kinloch Rannoch was on time, and the far was a bargain at £2.80!
It passes through some truly stunning scenery (although for me, the West Coast just pips it): you really get to see the splendour and majesty of Scotland.
The road (single track in places) twists and turns along Highland glens, past hydro electric power stations, but always dwarfed by the mountains surrounding it. And before long I was at my destination. Well, almost my destination... I still had 6 miles to go from Kinloch Rannoch.
KINLOCH RANNOCH
It was then a quick call to the parents to come collect me. Some things never change! Just as well there was a phonebox in the village - for the entire week there was no mobile signal at all.
Some images to leave you with...
The view of Loch Rannoch
The view from the house we had rented. Unfortunately the big house was occupied!
Last edited by Sealink on 09 May 2010, 18:57, edited 3 times in total.
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