LHR to CDG BA A319

Woke up, drapes open, to some incredible views. Planes everywhere. I liked the Kuwait 777, one of my favs, good colours, so nailed that one. AI 744 another one.

Barely got the Icelandair 757. Hence, I took more pics, and lot's of 'em. Oh this film is going to be expensive!

I forgot to mention that I had toured the hotel the night before. I like it.

Finished the packing. Just to get everything to Paris. I unload so many goodies for the guy in Paris, and yes he is so very worth it! He collects everything as I do, so easy to throw things in and I don't have to drag them back with me to the States, as with the rest of you.

More pics, pack, shower, some last minute of that tv in English thing, call for a porter.

Oh goody, that expensive taxi. The same porter comes up, my gosh, do you live here mate? I really like him. He has a good, kind soul to him. I give him what I can. Check out is easy. Priceline pre-paid US $91, plus taxes. There is a story to that, but I am too tired. sorry
No incidentals. Thank goodness. Thank you McD's!

I signed up with their frequent stay program, see if I get something. Actually one Priceline worked and I did receive miles, so we shall see.

Ordered the taxi and my porter helped me out, explaining there is a fixed rate of 11 pounds from the hotel to Heathrow. One time from 4 it was 14 pounds. What on earth could it cost to go to London? The Queen's jewels? ahhhh

Alas it was my beloved driver from last November who took me to 4 for my other trip to Paris. I like him. He is another Britt that you like. Very kind, good man, good soul. We chatted all the way to Terminal 4. It is funny, it is a 45 minute flight to Paris, but you feel like you are going into the world. I guess it is T4.

I run and grab a cart, we settle, yes, I tip him generously, he is one of my favs.

Into the terminal with the police carrying machine guns. This is England?

To the front of the BA Club World queue. Set the bags down, yes, I am praying.
First bag is ok, but when I put the second bag down, she makes it subtle. May I see your ticket to the States please? Normally, with the low intraEurope baggage allowances, I would pay dearly. I assume being a Oneworld Sapphire gets me something, but the US allowance saves my soul.

As I return from Paris, directly to the US,they give it to me. She even takes the 3rd bag, thank you BA!

I thank her and off to WHSmith to buy my coveted book on the East German Stasi files on the UK. They were all over when I left, now I can't find it, I look, I panic, dang, they are gone. I want the book and I figure it will turn up. As I have already seen the landside and not much time for airside, I head to security. Empty the pockets, B/P out, and I pass with an A-.

Lines are small. I would be dead in the morning with all the flights going out, why I always take the late night AA to JFK. Hey, I will be back here in 24 hours. Too weird.

Did the usual BA lounge thing. This guy is cool so I don't play any games with him. He reminds me of a past religous leader(Christian) at home that is very dear to me(Stewart) so we smile. Normally I get annoyed having to show my card and B/P, rubbish, but to him, whatever. I doubt that he would make a fuss in any event. He is very sweet.

Some sandwhiches, ate my bacon fill, looked for a good newspaper to swipe, and more goodies for the guy in Paris. He loves the BA chocolate chip biscuits/ cookies.

I go out to the shops and look for my book. Oh my nowhere to be found.

Buy some chocolate now so that I can pack it in Paris and send it home to LA. BAA points card and all. Back to the lounge, some net, and time to head out, and I say cheers to my friend.

As I head for the gate to France, Star Alliance reps are out trying to lure customers over. My Untied card expires tomorrow. Oh sorry sir, you must reside in the UK. If I had had a UK address handy, Matthew!!! I could have done it. Oh well. No more Lufthansa lounges.

The Paris gate is not at the closer in gate 20, but gate 22. Oh no. I have to go up through that ugly hallway to the plane, not a short walk, now I am getting nervous. Lugging carry on bags, the Chocolate Box bags are big and heavy and my leather jacket is NOT helping either.
I do stop for a pic but for naught. They were good shots, too. When the camera rewinded, it ruined the film. Oh well. Made it to the gate and they were still boarding.

I take a breather. Too much crap. I take down the reg.,will give later, for the BA A319 which is way down there. Sort things out and down the ramp. I do wonder why they would put the Paris flight out at one of the outer gates. UGH on BA! LOL

Grab a Financial Times and board, they smile. I stuff(love that word) my carry ons into the overhead in Club class, yes, I cheat, saving my Business Traveller, UK edition, which I want to read, grabbed it from the lounge I had just left.

I am looking for my seat and they have 3 empty emergency exit seats waiting for me. I ask if I can move and she tells me to wait, then gives me the all clear. Very nice. More legroom, very comfy.

What surprised me is that she sat down at the aisle seat. Not good for safety card pilfering, uh oh. I joked, ah, now I get better service with you here, she is like, nah ah. LOL

Oh and I asked about a free upgrade, but had put it more politely. She said no, BA is actually trying to make a profit now, so we'll have you take your seat in coach. (itch!)

We push back and taxi out. The Airbus makes those weird noises. The lead cabin crew tries to be cute by throwing out some French. yeah, you guys are real int'l. Disgusting.
Their version of bilingual is Mesammes et monsieurs, a couple of times, so so bad.

I am suprrised the French and Germans don't throw stones at BA for no language skills on these flights. Gotta love it, in some ironic way, you really do, so British. UGH

Air France speaks English on their domestic flights in France. UGH Whateva.

We taxi out and roll away, after that lovely manual safety demo. We roll past the hotels and my new home, Le Meridien.

Lift off and some nice scenery and into the clouds. What is cool with the A319 is that they have the flight map. Down to Brighton and over the coast. Crossing into France I am guessing Boulogne or so. Very hard to see as the curtain in precious, coveted Club is blocking the view.

They offer crudites, some light veggies and dip, which I take, or that awful Yank pie, I mean Apple pie. Let the Yanks do the apple pie, darlings. LOL