3/3

Eigg to Wetherby

Our ferry back to Mallaig was the passenger ferry and again we were fortunate to have calm waters for the crossing. I'd hate to do that in choppy waters. In fact the ferry does cancel a fair amount of crossings due to rough waters, so if going be prepared for that.


The harbour on Eigg, waiting for the ferry.


Our ferry to Mallaig.


The ferry


Goodbye Eigg!


Views from the ferry crossing.


The ferry we took going from Mallaig to Eigg 5 days before.


The ferry we took going from Mallaig to Eigg 5 days before.




We said our goodbyes to the group and Bruce and headed back to Yorkshire. We decided to break our long drive home with an overnight stay at the Travelodge Perth A9. It was a cheap place just to sleep and up early to continue on the drive home. Of course we had to try the beer at a local brewery, so off to Cullach Brewing for some great beer and pizza. Up early and then it was back to my parents in Wetherby for a few days.



Cullach Brewing for some great beer and pizza


Back in Wetherby and time for beans


Waiting on the London train at York



York - Kings Cross

I took the 14:02 train from York to London Kings Cross ($68.24), a 2 hour, 20mins trip.
A cab to Paddington station. I have to say this was the best London taxi ride I have ever had, and put me in an excellent mood. The driver was good, didn't talk much, the windows were open as it was a lovely warm April day and to top it all off, traffic was quite light! Then I caught the Heathrow Express to T5 which was very crowded. After arriving at Heathrow T5 I had a quick walk to the Sofitel Hotel for the night. I really like the location of the hotel, the rooms are not too bad, but the food there is not great. I don't think I've had a decent meal there. I guess I should have headed back into London, but after all the travelling I'd done I just wanted to eat and go to sleep.


The walk to the Sofitel Hotel, LHR T5


The room at the Sofitel Hotel


The bathroom at the Sofitel Hotel

LHR - SEA

Up at 5:30am as I was travelling on only my second First flight on BA. My first First coincided with the onset of the pandemic, and the Concorde Room had closed a few days earlier, as well as First Wing and the spa. So this time I decided to enjoy it and get to the Concorde Room early to have breakfast. Check in was very pleasant, the First security lane was not open as the border forces(?) were on strike. No problem though as the fast track was very quick. And finally into the lounge. There were about 5 people waiting in front of the entrance immediately after the fast track security, and as each one was turned away, I thought I was in the wrong queue and would be sent packing as well. But thankfully was ushered through into the 'famous' Concorde Room. My first impressions were "okay, it is way better than the business lounge". I had breakfast - full English, and a lot of coffee, which was nice and then out onto the balcony area. Here it seemed as if the area was in constant motion, ever so slight, but there non the less. After more coffee (I'm from Seattle, I really like coffee!) I started to feel a little motion sick, so went back into the lounge area to calm my stomach before the flight. Boarding was at B gates, I walked in the tunnel as I find it very peaceful down there, plus it feels good to have a last walk before a 10 hour flight.


Breakfast in the CCR


The menu.


Coffee. A decent cup! I had 3 more before leaving the lounge.


The nose cone from my seat.


The walk to the B gates


Boarding was uneventful. and I was shown to my seat - 2K.

BA0053. MODEL G-ZBKS Boeing B787-900
SEAT CONFIGURATION 216 seats
8 First 42 Business 39 Eco+ 127 Economy

For lunch I had the pea soup, lemon and rosemary British Chicken, which was pleasant and then the passion fruit and hazelnut tart, which was okay.


My seat


Taxiing


Todays menu


Todays menu


Todays menu


The lemon and rosemary British Chicken


Views, almost home


The Space Needle


The stadiums in Seattle


The crew were very attentive, and made up for the CW crew I had on the SEA - LHR flight. I enjoyed the flight very much. Good food, a comfy seat and great service. As much as I'd love to travel First all the time, I'm not sure my wife would be happy about the cost!

DISTANCE 7,710km 4,791mi
FLIGHT TIME 9 hours 57 min

Departure 10:08 BST 18min late
Arrival 11:23 PDT 11min early

Arrival. Off the plane around 11:35 and onto the long walk to baggage claim and the dreaded US Immigration officers. The walk was pleasant, and I was waiting for my luggage shortly after.


The long walk to baggage claim

I'm always amazed how long it takes baggage to come through at Seattle, it may be just me but it seems much longer than other airports. At least we are in more pleasant surroundings than the previous international baggage claim. Eventually my suitcase arrives, and onto immigration. The last time I was there (December 2022), it took me about 10 mins to go through Global Entry, so I decided to time it. I walked up to the photo machine, didn't need to scan my passport, it took a picture of me, and I went up to the officer on duty. He looked at his computer screen, said my name, I said yes, and he said welcome home. It took exactly 7 seconds from walking up to the Global Entry point to leaving the immigration officer. I honestly could not believe how quickly I was through, and was anticipating another officer to call me over, but nope, that one experience was totally worth the Global Entry fee. Tbh, I'm still a little giddy over it!
Now as I was out a bit earlier than anticipated, I let my wife know not to pick me up, but that I'll take an Uber home. The wait was minimal (I'm assuming that the Uber was already waiting at the pick up spot), the ride was uneventful, and I walked into my house exactly 1 hour and 2 minutes after leaving the plane.

Thanks