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2 studs do Granada with Iberia: 6 flights and 4 cities
Me again.....
I was in dire need of some sun. And this was back in February when it was flipping' freezing in Aberdeen. After a bit of looking around, the venue of choice was Granada and I would be travelling with the lovely chris1979. He told me that I had to put the "lovely" part in..... I can't remember the exact figure but the flights were about £270 LHR - MAD - GRX - MAD - LHR and the Heathrow to Madrid and Madrid to Heathrow sectors were on Iberia's lovely A346 long haul plane. When you can take a plane like that for a relatively short flight, you book it. I used some Avios and booked myself a CE return from ABZ - LHR and I was set! Fast forward a few months and I had taken the day off work. My flight was at 2.20pm so after a leisurely morning in the gym and breakfast at my place, I jumped on the bus into the city centre and then paid £3 to get the bus to Aberdeen airport. Aberdeen airport is a great wee place. You are through security in the space of minutes. I wanted to stop by the check-in desks though because Iberia had been naughty and shifted me out of the seat I had chosen which was right behind my travelling companion. I was at the desks 2 hours before departure and the first one in the priority queue. However, after waiting for 10 minutes with no sign of any staff coming, I gave up and went through security to the lounge. I guess the staff were getting the earlier flight away but it's poor form if BA advertise check-in from two hours before departure and nobody is there. Anyway, rant over. The Aberdeen lounge is great. It's a small place but with a selection of food which is always fine for the time of day. And the staff. They are just lovely. I grabbed my usual seat towards the back, ordered a glass of fizz and chilled. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4269/3...39daa20e_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4168/3...61b68b4b_z.jpg I had the pleasure of meeting another FTer - JamieABZ who was travelling with his daughter on the same flight as me. We had some fizz together and shared some travelling stories and had a great time. We made our way to the gate just before boarding which was an absolute scrum. The priority line was massive. We kinda just lurked in the background and when they called Golds and CE, we bypassed most of the queue and were on in no time. While my fellow FTer made his way back behind the curtain (:p) I took my seat in 1F. BA1309, ABZ - LHR, G-EUUC, A320 Unlike my flight just two days before when the baggage machine broke and we had to push back with the baggage door open before we could shut it, there were no such problems today. We were in the air after a relatively long wait for incoming flights to land. After taking off, we turned left and headed down to London. Hot towels were handed out and, after that, the afternoon snack was too. I took the Ploughman's lunch which was very tasty. The dessert - chocolate thing - was amazing! https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4184/3...ae21f66a_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4201/3...9452e4d1_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4224/3...b2e97394_z.jpg We dodged a lot of cloud on the way into Heathrow! https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4272/3...17084649_z.jpg A few glasses of fizz were consumed and the views from the window were enjoyed. I always love looking out of the window and seeing planes beneath you and wondering where they are heading to. I always take the left hand side on Aberdeen to London flights as, more often than not, you approach over the city of London and get some great views. Today was a bit cloudy though but I could just about make out Buckingham Palace before we made final approach to Heathrow. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4167/3...3dc8fb09_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4157/3...dc4e51c4_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4188/3...89d84bc3_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4250/3...f5722023_z.jpg After landing at Heathrow, I made my way through connections and walked down to the CCR (Concorde Room for the non-BA trained) and met chris1979. He presented me with two brand new boarding passes and had managed to move my seat to beside him on the Madrid flight and get my boarding pass for the Granada flight. Now that's what I call service! *painting nail emoji* We sat at the bar with another FTer - nufnuf77 - and I enjoyed a glass of Laurent Perrier Grande Siecle. I'm not quite sure I have ever met as many FTers in one day.....and there was another one to come! Anyway, our fellow traveller at the bar went off to get his Cairo flight and I nipped to the toilet. On return, the bar man had refilled my glass.......well, if you insist! chris1979 and I made our way to the restaurant in the CCR and ordered a late lunch which would tide us over until we got food on the flight to Madrid. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4176/3...d60309db_z.jpg The food in the CCR is great at the moment and the staff who were there when we were dining were really great. I forgot to take a photo of the menu but we had a selection of soup, asparagus, rabbit terrine, steak and filled tortellini. Everything was very tasty indeed. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4268/3...2c2de125_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4276/3...f402a73e_z.jpg The lovely Filthy Monkey joined us for food. It was an absolute pleasure meeting him - one of the nicest gentlemen you could meet. It also helps that he is Scottish! Anyway, after Filthy asking if he could spray himself with my scent - :D - chris1979 and me headed on down to the train to get across to T5 C gates. Originally, we were going to take the underground walkway but we spent too long speaking. When we got to our gate, there was a MASS of people. Boarding was called for Golds and business class so we made our way forward when some guy stopped me and said "Sorry, I am in this queue too". I apologised profusely and held back...... until I saw the silver screen on his boarding pass along with a seat in economy. FFS. "Sorry, we are Gold cards" I said and felt horrendous saying it...... but, to be fair, he was being a bit of a c0ck. Hey baby! https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4163/3...e49240f4_z.jpg BA522 or IB3167, LHR - MAD, EU-LEU, A346 We were on board before long and took our seats in the forward business class cabin. chris1979 wanted to see the cockpit so I duly obliged and took some photos of him before the Captain said "Ah, but you have to get a picture too!". So I sat down and got a picture. Now, no jokes about where my hand may or may not be please! https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4189/3...f61d3309_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4248/3...5ce0fb80_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4273/3...da41fbae_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4226/3...09a00144_z.jpg Yes. He's ready for take off..... https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4186/3...fe19b0ae_z.jpg I love the A346. It's an absolute massive plane. It felt really quiet too while we were pushing back and taxiing. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4248/3...1553f003_z.jpg It didn't take too long to get to the runway and then, after a loooooooooong take off roll, we were in the air on the way to Madrid. I reclined the seat and put on a movie. Everyone in business was given a free wifi code for the flight. Menus were handed out (don't get that on BA for a flight of this duration) and the cabin crew were out with their trolleys before long. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4267/3...06818842_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4268/3...4fa75604_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4173/3...2b20276f_z.jpg I went for the veal burger and, while slightly dry and not with much of the sauce, it was actually a decent enough meal. The salad was crispy and fresh and the cheese was good. Refills of bread were proactively offered as were drinks. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4204/3...b2137e34_z.jpg Whisky on board isn't the wee miniatures you get on BA. OH NO! The cabin crew come to your seat and pour from the bottle......YES! https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4194/3...eed5ae8b_z.jpg The views outside coming into Madrid as the sun set were just amazing. I can't see how anyone could ever get bored of these views. If you follow me on Instagram, you'll probably see a lot of these plane pics...... see link in my sig! /mandatory plug https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4243/3...4dfcc605_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4201/3...384daec7_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4182/3...6fe2b3d8_z.jpg We landed in Madrid at 10pm local and grabbed a taxi to the Crowne Plaza at the airport. I say it's at the airport but I think that we were half way into Madrid by the time we got there haha! https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4252/3...056bae82_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4189/3...8e9aefd4_z.jpg It's a lovely wee hotel. I was upgraded being a Spire Ambassador member to one of their suites which was much appreciated. The girl on reception said that we could still get into the Club lounge (read: small space they didn't really know what to do with) so we dumped our stuff and headed into there for a nightcap. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4193/3...f9a39f6d_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4220/3...1bcb4f58_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4189/3...6153021d_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4200/3...65701864_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4175/3...025d7efc_z.jpg Club Lounge...... we had it to ourselves which is probably just as well! https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4183/3...c77b685d_z.jpg So after a great day of meeting FTers (which wasn't as scary as I had thought), flying, eating, drinking and chat, it was time for bed. |
Excellent Stu, definitely a pro at this now. Filthy money ?? Will he take that as a compliment ;)
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who came up with that title? <<monkey roll eye emoji>> deary me..... :D
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Good plane for the short flight!
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start of another great review @stu1985 Just love them buddy!
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Originally Posted by mike&co
(Post 28335026)
Excellent Stu, definitely a pro at this now. Filthy money ?? Will he take that as a compliment ;)
Originally Posted by chris1979
(Post 28335058)
who came up with that title? <<monkey roll eye emoji>> deary me..... :D
Originally Posted by offerendum
(Post 28335136)
Good plane for the short flight!
Originally Posted by Flyingboy200
(Post 28335232)
start of another great review @stu1985 Just love them buddy!
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Originally Posted by stu1985
(Post 28336401)
*calls Mods to change to my second choice* Beauty (stu1985) and the Beast (chris1979) do Granada.... Where's part 2? |
Originally Posted by chris1979
(Post 28336607)
I thought we were clear on this: you write better TRs and I'm better looking :p
Where's part 2? |
Originally Posted by mike&co
(Post 28336672)
Having looked at both your instagram pics you could be twins :D
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Great!! Looking forward to another TR. As usual, great pics - keep them coming.
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We got up the next morning in time to get the complimentary hotel shuttle bus to the airport at 9.45am. Check out was efficient and we stepped outside into the warm heat while we waited for the bus.
Hotel swimming pool - no time to use it this morning! https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4185/3...27d5b523_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4228/3...a06be99a_z.jpg Once we got to MAD, we found our way to the Sala VIP (which I have managed to get lost while trying to find a few times) and were welcomed inside. The lounge was pretty full this morning but we found a large table right at the back and set up there. The breakfast selections were fine - bread, ham, cheese, cereal, yoghurt and they put out some sandwiches too just before we left. There were the usual nuts and savoury snacks and, of course, there was a full bar to choose from. I made myself a Buck's Fizz (or Mimosa for our American friends) and got some toast and cheese. We were only in the lounge for an hour or so but it was a nice place to relax for a short while. It's amazing how quiet it is given that it just one level up from the hustle and bustle of the airport below. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4161/3...a56b5358_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4165/3...2384633e_z.jpg I just love the architecture of MAD. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4273/3...1a06a46d_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4171/3...2dbcec94_z.jpg We left the lounge in enough time to get to the gate, J42, just as boarding was starting. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4195/3...89034c85_z.jpg Front row window.... https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4276/3...35645dd4_z.jpg IB546, MAD - GRX, EC-JXV, A319 A wee newspaper trolley was wheeled out while we were on the ground for anyone wanting a newspaper. It seemed to take ages to get to the runway. I dosed on and off while we did. Saying that though, Madrid is a massive airport so I am guessing that we were at one end and we had to take off from the other. Good for plane watching though! https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4165/3...6a6cc075_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4197/3...e6e6bdc1_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4161/3...1f759913_z.jpg Not today, BA. In fact, probably never again from MAD! https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4167/3...9f1d1e18_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4268/3...0ab154c8_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4249/3...08d5cd96_z.jpg After we took off, we took a left and got some nice views of where we had just taken off from. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4225/3...5c1a825b_z.jpg It was pretty cool seeing this easyJet take off parallel to us! https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4186/3...590a1578_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4160/3...1a9e7083_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4173/3...569b937b_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4174/3...0bbc7a0e_z.jpg The on board service started quickly and we were offered a ham wrap which was fine enough. I took a small bottle of Cava too. The nice member of cabin crew offered me another before we landed (which I accepted) and it was served along with some nuts. I love how that is standard on Iberia - whenever you get a refill, they will automatically give you some nuts or something savoury to go with it. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4226/3...da5b6e5e_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4274/3...40da4c5a_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4157/3...8da6ff7e_z.jpg Peek a boo! https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4155/3...fab30c24_z.jpg The views coming into Granada were nice and I was surprised to see some mountains out of the window which were covered in snow! https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4272/3...f0bca9fc_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4249/3...914711ac_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4162/3...4b1d45c9_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4224/3...b9532301_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4245/3...49c3a561_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4248/3...a36850be_z.jpg After landing, we pulled up at a random part of the airport and the steps were taken up to the side. Once we got off, we were by the kerb waiting for a taxi within two minutes which was great! We got a taxi to the hotel we had chosen for the night - the amazing Marquis Isabel which is situated smack bang in the centre of Granada. We arrived there and entered through the front door. I wondered whether we were in the right place because there was no reception desk, just a restaurant a busy bar area outside. There was a small podium at the side where there was a girl standing with an iPad. This was the reception desk - very minimalistic. She was great and we had a good chat with her. I had supposedly booked a superior suite (?) when I had thought I just booked a standard room. But to be fair, the website was in Spanish! The room was nice - very long with a big bed and very swanky bathroom. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4171/3...c8649518_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4250/3...6c055f9f_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4181/3...d7448506_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4159/3...a76bfdfc_z.jpg https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4275/3...2874e075_z.jpg Outside of the hotel. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4185/3...7846d2ea_z.jpg |
Originally Posted by mike&co
(Post 28336672)
Having looked at both your instagram pics you could be twins :D
Originally Posted by roadwarrier
(Post 28336985)
Great!! Looking forward to another TR. As usual, great pics - keep them coming.
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Nice report!! Great photos, keep them coming!
I love the "Ahem, I am a silver!"...."Well, I am a gold. How do you like those apples, buddy?" If I had a dollar for every time that has gone down at boarding! |
Originally Posted by stu1985
(Post 28337013)
The views coming into Granada were nice and I was surprised to see some mountains out of the window which were covered in snow!
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I'll add a few.
Hello big sister. http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/...psn5dlpnog.jpg bye bye LHR. http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/...ps70k7xmmb.jpg http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/...pshqbr98i1.jpg http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/...psg23qwusq.jpg a tad on the dry side as Stu said. http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/...psf7jjdori.jpg cloudporn, skyporn, engineporn http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/...pse6854uaa.jpg http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/...psacuapduq.jpg |
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