Landed on VS22 at about 7.10 am. Headed off the aircraft and began the long, long walk to arrivals, joining groups of other pax as they came off their aircraft - 7 am is obviously a popular arrival time! Finally got down to arrivals and as I'd registered for IRIS on the way out headed to that line. The whole hall seemed to be full of people but the IRIS line was empty. Both gates were in operation but I had a moment of doubt when the couple in front of me were both rejected. I went through no problem. Priority baggage was working - already on the belt as I got there, a few other pax filtering through the gates. I grabbed my bag and headed through customs and up to revivals.
Very professional welcome into Revivals. Found a table and got food, caffeine, orange juice and water. Spent an hour or so in there, used the free internet in there (slow and clunky compared to the ones available in other lounges on the trip) to send my appreciation of the flight to VS via their comment form. (No reply / acknowledgement just yet). I got all four of the UC crew's first names so I mentioned them so hopefully they will get the nod.
Eventually got the energy up to make my way over to T5. Whole terminal from the station upwards appeared crowded and everyone a little off and tense. There was a bit of a crush round the lifts going up from the station to departures.
Had to use the self service kiosks to print my boarding card and then join the queue for the generic bag drops. Served by a very nice man - seemed to be more manager level than your usual check in agent but could be mistaken. Terminal felt hot and airless.
Headed straight through security and ran into what looked like a shortish queue that appeared to take an inordinate time to go through. (But I have been spoiled this trip by short security waits!). Once through, into a heaving, hot, airless terminal. Eventually settled for a seat in the centre of the bottom level. Lovely glass structure lets in lots of light and heat and doesn't really make for a comfortable experience compared with my experiences in T3 / IAD even in the public areas. Probably tiredness as well and the feeling of just wanting to be home...
Finally gate was announced and I wandered over - gate 9 - not far from where I was sat. Boarding was announced and headed onboard. I'd been allocated 32C but had changed this to 3A when I did OLCI on Saturday am. I had the row of 3 to myself, I person in row 2, 1 on my side of row 1 and another 2 on the other side of row 1. In total there were 34PAX on board ( 3 or4 of whom appeared to be uniformed BA staff commuting. One FA commented that they had expected 21. I overheard another PAX calling someone and saying that they should have been on an earlier flight but had missed it and then they'd rescheduled him to 1800 hrs but then said they had this flight.. (ie I don't think BA themselves knew what was happening!)
Flight itself was smooth, short (51 mins). Service was very quick and casual. CC spent most of the time in the front galley chatting and laughing. Started descending over Sheffield and before I knew it we'd passed over my house (always miss it!), over other local landmarks and we were doing the usual steep bank over St Mary's lighthouse. This turn is always alarming the first time you experience it especially if you are on the left side of the aircraft! And then were were down. Felt a bit like the flight crew were standing on the brakes but we were soon taxiing to Gate 3, (must be reserved for BA, never boarded BA from anywhere else at NCL)
Straight through to arrivals, 2 min wait for bags and then out to an empty arrivals area... Called hubby but we were so early, he was just about coming into the airport car park so didn't reply. He called back and I wandered out into the car park to meet them coming.
Weirdly low key ending, especially after the lovely VS22, but the lovely hugs I got in the car park made up for it.
So home again... Time to start saving my air miles again
