Departure
We had been watching Thor, Amy’s dog, since Monday as Amy and her family left for Paris earlier in the week and we will be meeting them in Prague. The dog sitter, Harley, arrived at about 2:45 pm to pick up the dog. We left our house in Goshen at about 4 PM which was kind of early but at it is the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, we decided earlier was better than later in terms of departure time. Normally, the trip to JFK would be about 1.5 hours but took about 2:15 as Waze re-routed us several times, presumably to avoid traffic issues. Car check-in at at JFK Long Term Parking was quick but we had to wait a bit for the shuttle to the terminal and then the trip took a little longer because one idiot lady on the shuttle waits until we get to the first drop off to announce that she is going to miss her flight, so the driver bypasses the normal route to get her to her terminal. After she departs, we resume the normal route and get to our terminal without issues. We complete British Airways business class check-in by about 6:45 pm for a 9:30 departure.
We go to the business class lounge which is so packed, we have trouble finding two seats together. Once settled, we enjoy some drinks and snacks. At about 9 PM, we board and have a window and aisle seats. Food is good with Margi having pasta and I had salmon. Along with the requisite refreshments. The flight to Heathrow is 6:15 but entertainment is somewhat disappointing as the selection was either unknown (to us) foreign films or films we had already seen. I finally settle on Black Panther which I found not to my liking and so turn off and put on music to sleep by.
Arrival
We arrive in Heathrow on time. Before we get through passport control, I use an ATM machine, which in retrospect was a mistake due to the poor exchange rate. I should have waited until we got into the main terminal and selected a standard bank ATM. I attribute this to my worry about using my TD Bank card overseas, which turns out to be unfounded.
We have to take a train to get to where passport control is located and getting through takes some time even though we are in the Fast Track line. But, by the looks of it, the standard non-EU line would have held us up for at least an hour. Wait for our bags is short and we exit the secured area into the main area of terminal 5. We start to look for signs for the underground, as our hotel in London is just a short walk from the Gloucester Road Station. We selected the 24 hour pass because we intend to go into London today to do some sight seeing. We find the underground and the ticket machines pretty easily and buy a one day pass for 12.70 pounds each. The train comes pretty quickly and we find seats next to the luggage storage area. Trip to our stop is about 35 minutes. Once we exit from the station, I have a copy of Google maps directions to our hotel, which is literally less than 100 yards from the station.
Hotel
We selected the Millenium Gloucester Hotel from Trip Advisor based purely on location. It is on a direct underground line from Heathrow and that line can be taken into central London. It turns out to be a nondescript cookie cutter hotel that looks a lot better in the pictures. There were loads of Asians checking in at the time we arrive. When we arrive around noon, our room is not ready but for a mere 50 pounds, we can get an upgrade to a “larger” room that is on the Club Lounge floor and is immediately available. As we are are tired from the trip, we succumb to this BS and say yes. The room did not seem “larger” to us and the Club Lounge snacks seem to only be available at certain times of the day. For a total with our upgrade of about $325 for one night, this is definitely not a Fatcheric recommended hotel. Bailey’s Hotel London is even closer to the station and also looks good in their pictures (FOFLMAO).
Day 1 – Saturday
After settling into our “spacious” hotel room (LOL), we go down to the concierge and have them make reservations at Maggie Jones. Then we go back to the Gloucester station and take the Blue/Piccadilly line to Covent Gardens and find the market area and wander around. As it is Saturday, there are loads of vendors and street performers to see. We wander down King Street and find a seafood restaurant with outside seating and we have lunch. We talk to the waiter and find that to get to Westminster, we just need to go to the next corner, turn right, and we can walk there.
As we walk, we pass Leicester Square which is fairly crowded. We continue down to the Westminster Bridge and we walk out to the middle of the bridge overlooking the Thames River. Big Ben appears to be undergoing some restoration. We see a Starbucks and go to get a mug for Margi’s collection. We are tired, so we take the yellow line back to the Gloucester Station and our hotel to rest a bit.
Back at the hotel, we stop at the concierge and ask them to make our reservations a bit earlier at Maggie Jones as we are beat. We also to arrange a car for early tomorrow morning to take us to Gatwick airport. Up to the room and nap for a bit after all the fresh air we enjoyed today.
We leave a little early for dinner so that we can do some souvenir shopping. We take the Yellow/Circle line one stop to Kennington/High Street Station. We had a Google map print out to find Maggie Jones Restaurant but we still walk past the correct street. While walking, we hear someone yell “Go ‘Cuse”. It takes me a moment to realize that I am wearing a Syracuse shirt and when I do, I respond in kind. We eventually ask a hotel doorman for directions and find Maggie Jones.
The restaurant has not changed, still serving classic British food in a farm style decor (quoting from Google maps). Margi has a salad and Shephard’s Pie and I have duck pate and wild boar sausage, of course accompanied by wine for us both. The wait staff is decidedly gay and extremely friendly so we have a lovely dinner.
We return to the hotel via the underground and then shower and pack as we leave at 6 AM for our Gatwick flight to Prague.
Day 2 – Sunday AM
We rise at 5:20 AM, dress, close suitcases, and go down to check out. At the hotel desk, I complain about the “upgrade” to the clerk who makes a note for her manager. Of course, even with a follow-up email, we get no response, ever.
Our 90 pound taxi (c0st, not weight) arrives on time and we take a one hour ride to Gatwick Airport through deserted London outskirts as it is early on Sunday morning. We find Easyjet automated check-in and then security. Once past security, we get breakfast at a cafeteria.
Easyjet is a budget carrier and boarding is basically a cattle call. Notably, everything offered on the plane is an extra charge. We are delayed on the ground in Gatwick a little and arrive in Prague about 15 minutes late.
Press back button and then select Prague