This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
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Three weeks with our youngest son, DIL and two granddaughters simply flew by, we all said it seemed the shortest visit we’d ever made. Didn’t go away this time, sometimes we go away on our own for a few days, sometimes we go away with them. Lots of involvement with general family life which is the whole idea of our visits, so that the grandchildren grow up with a presence in their lives of the older generation and we can enjoy being part of their lives for a short time twice a year.
It amazes me the pace at which they all live their lives – till I look back and realise we led the same time-pressured life at their age.
We spent lots of time on school runs, swimming classes, gymnastics, play dates, etc., also meals with friends, meals out, and generally just being together. And we spent a day visiting the new holiday home of some friends of YS and DIL, in Pennsylvania. Jaw-dropping place, enormous house, masses of windows, 30 acres of beautiful grounds, some left pretty wild, vast lake, very laid-back lifestyle. Mother of all thunderstorms on the way back, glad I wasn’t driving the battle-bus (aka YS’s vast 4-wheel drive).
All too soon it was time to fly back on the overnight flight from EWR. YS dropped us at the airport and we were unbelievably quickly through check-in and security, no problems at all, we reckoned we were through almost before YS would be out of the airport, never been so quick before, I wonder if they now have more staff or whether other flights have been rescheduled? Quick trip to duty-free for malt whisky then into the haven of the small but perfectly-formed CH at EWR. We like it, no it doesn’t have a spa and no, it doesn’t have windows, but then in the evening there’s not really a great deal to look at. And if you've ever been so unlucky as not to have CH access and had to sit in the tiny "departure lounge" (really just seats by the gate), you'd appreciate it too!
Quite a few glasses of fizz, nice meal in the little restaurant – we both had the burgers, I had fruit salad, OH had some sticky concoction that left him with cream round his mouth. Can’t take him anywhere.
Flight was called, we took our time, not really a long walk to the gate at EWR, straight on board and to our seats on (hooray) the 787. We’d booked 4A and 5A as on our outward flight and again these were very good. For the first time we didn’t go to the bar for a night-cap, just had our beds made up. Declined breakfast as we intended to go to Revivals at LHR, so just ordered juice and coffee. To our surprise, both of us managed to sleep for a few hours which is unusual. Woke to the sound of crew preparing breakfasts, gradually undimming lights, etc.
Landed at LHR pretty much to time, very uneventful flight, decent crew, we didn’t have much interaction with them simply because we were asleep but they were good when we needed anything. Didn't use the entertainment at all, hence the non-committal rating.
I’ve never read any reports about Revivals so had little idea what to expect. Old hands know all about it but for the benefit of any others new to the idea, here’s a little about it.
First of all, I’d no idea where Revivals was, maybe you don’t know either. Collect your baggage, go through customs as usual, continue along past all the drivers with name placards, continue just as though you’re exiting the terminal but don’t quite do so. Just before the exit, there’s an open area on the right with a bank of lifts with signs to the car park and if you look very carefully, a sign to the Virgin lounge (it’s VERY discreet!). Up one floor, then turn right and through the frosted glass doors. Down a wide ramped corridor and reception staff await you. Behind them is an area where you can stow your baggage if you wish, though there’s room in the showers for your carry-on if you need to access fresh clothes for instance.
We elected to shower first, then eat. Long corridor of showers, probably 20 or so. Each is spacious and well-equipped with towels, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and body lotion (all Cowshed). Plenty of space to unpack a carry-on and there’s a hair dryer and of course mirrors so you can emerge looking and feeling rather better than when you went in.
We both had breakfast – usual offerings of various cooked items, cereals, toast, etc., and I asked for and received a glass of fizz.
OH read the paper and I visited the spa. Only a small room but very good, a limited selection of treatments, I had the express facial and “skin enhancer” which isn’t make-up really, just a base tint and lip balm but I looked way better than when I started.
Why I ask myself have we never bothered with Revivals before? We’ll be there every time now.
If you’re still with me, thank you for reading and sorry there were no excitements or disasters to keep you entertained. I’m positively dull!
