Part 2 Sofitel T5 and LHR-SVG-LHR

Arriving back at the Sofitel much later than I had planned so I was quickly in the land of nod. Unfortunately all too soon my phone alarm went off...snooze, then again...snooze, then my wakeup call from reception...back to sleep, then my phone alarm...turned off...uh oh, then the lovely lady from reception who remembered me from 2 weeks ago rang back saying she remembered I struggled to get out of bed 2 weeks previously and had noticed me coming back to the hotel even later so she would stay on the phone until I reached the phone in the bathroom and I was up and out of bed....otherwise I was getting another phone call.

These pictures are of after I've woken up, not how I found the room

Lovely comfortable bed.


Didn't really watch the TV or use the desk as I didn't spend much time in the room.


The bathrooms are very nice and more than adequate for a short stay.


Apart from the really comfy bed the shower with the waterfall kind of shower head is my favourite and really helped me to wakeup after one too many shandys the night before.


Suitably showered and refreshed I took a few quick pictures and darted off to drop my bag at First checkin and get through to the CCR to meet nufnuf77. Arriving at the first checkin in a very good mood considering the lack of sleep I'd had I was immediately challenged,

'Excuse me sir, are you a gold card holder or travelling in first?'

'I'm a GCH and travelling in first, can I please come in?'

With a big smile and realising my friendly sarcasm/joking tone she replied with 'well maybe this one time we can bend the rules'

Unfortunately this is where the fun stopped and things started to go south very quickly. The time was 0510 and I was informed that the lady at checkin couldn't check me in for any of my flights on my exEU - SVG-LHR-SIN-SYD. After approximately 20 minutes of trying she tagged my bag and told me to go to ticketing as she could see I had a ticket and seating reservations but computer was saying NO. Thankfully off my bag went as I explained to her about the SVG back to back. I was escorted to ticketing and explained the problem, unfortunately the lady here was completely useless and out of her depth. She couldn't do anything with my ticket and hadn't ever heard of the GGL line or YouFirst.

After managing to get the numbers for both GGL and YouFirst and then the ticket lady handing me the phone as she honestly didn't know what to do I spoke to James who thankfully realised as my ticket had been jokered and GUF'd, BA had failed to take the extra taxes off the card. He asked me if I was happy to pay the extra £27 it now was at which point I told him just take whatever you need to but I need a boarding pass for the return journey. By this time it was now getting on for 0700 and I had been stood there for nearly 2 hours (not exactly first class) and in constant contact with nufnuf77 he said he couldn't reissue the ticket until 0730 and I should proceed through to the CCR. The ticketing lady wrote on my boarding pass Eligible for CCR access and also rang through for me which I thanked her for.

Anyway, through to the CCR and I found nufnuf77 and quickly ordered my breakfast and some champagne, I believe he commented that I seemed very relaxed considering I still didn't know if I would be able to travel back from SVG. 0730 came and went with still no phone call so I went to the CCR desk and Pat who was a superstar immediately started ringing all kinds of numbers, it was at about 0750 we were told we had to go to the gate due to us being the last passengers to board. Pat said she would take personal charge of the issue and ensure I had a boarding pass waiting for me at the gate. True to her word as I arrived at the gate I was greeted with 'Ah Mr Jamier45 I believe this is for you' and I was handed my boarding pass for SVG-LHR, at which point I also checked in using my the BA app for LHR-SIN-SYD.

Onto the flight, we were quickly onboard and warmly welcomed onboard after a short bus ride to C54. After taking my seat in the emergency exit row I was informed I should make my way to 1A after nufnuf77 had got talking to the CSM James and told him about my palarva that morning and he onboard upgraded me

The flight was uneventful and only had me and nufnuf in CE with approximately 30-35 Y pax. We ate breakfast and slurped champagne before a on time arrival into SVG. Exiting the aircraft we said a 'cya in 35 minutes' to the crew and went to take our seats in the departure lounge.

The return flight boarded on time and were warmly/sarcastically welcomed back on board which made us both laugh, taking up 1A & 1C again we had a small bite to eat and more champagne. Again a rather uneventful flight and 2 hours later we were back on the ground and heading for the CCR again.

Approach into LHR.


Spotting the cricket pitches knowing the season has just started.