So, late last year I got an email informing me about a 2 day conference in London in July 2009. Ever looking for networking ops, and chances to catch up with friends, I dithered for awhile before taking the plunge in Feb and sending off my 60 pound registration fee. Now I had to find flights.
I'd done various permutation of redeeming miles, miles/paid bookings and paid bookings, and finally decided to do a price match with Flight Centre on a flights and accomadation booking I had found on Qantas Holidays. Once I added the insurance (vitally important as my Dad was ill and I wasnt sure if I would make it or have to come home early) the amount saved was minimal. So I had flights and accomadation booked, and all that was left was for me to pack and plan a manic week in the city that I love - London.

The schedule originally was
QF1010 HBA-MEL 14/7
QF9 MEL-LHR 14/7
QF32 LHR-SIN 21/7
QF10 SIN-MEL 22/7
QF1011 MEL-HBA 23/7
All booked in very cheap e-deal classes and non upgradeable. About 2 months prior to departure I recieved a targeted email telling me that even though I was on non upgradable fares, for a short time only I was able to apply for upgrades in the normal way. So figuring it was probably the only way I was ever going to even attempt to burn my miles, I put in the request.

Day of depature. After finishing packing at some ungodly hour of the morning, and manically cleaning the house so it looked respectable, I crawled into bed for a 2 hour nap before heading out to the airport at around 4:45am to get a 6:20am flight. Now I could have checked in online, but I wasnt sure if I could check in online with an international connection and my brain was not really functioning. (I blame the fact I went out for dinner with friends that night as opposed to following my usual habits prior to flying).

Check in at Hobart involved a short wait and then a short conversation with the check in agent, who happily handed over 3 boarding cards, including for me, 2 coveted business class boarding cards for MEL-LHR. Now I am sure there are many of you reading this who are rolling their eyes at this moment, and thinking "So what?". For me this was a big thing, as a non status flyer, who very rarely flies QF out of her home airport due to price and time considerations my chances of upgrade are generally buckleys and none. It also means that the 7 or so hours at MEL will be able to be spent fairly easily in the QF business lounge as opposed to stalking the terminal.

HBA-MEL - fairly standard commuter flight, breakfast was cereal, tea/coffee and a piece of fruit. Landed in MEL on time, and found a spot in the food court to watch the crowds for an hour or two.

I spent a couple of hours in MEL people watching and making phone calls to the other half to find out if he wanted me to buy an iPhone duty free or not before heading through immigration to the QF lounge.

The QF lounge is spacious, quiet and a damn civilised way to spend a couple of hours before a flight. I found myself a corner, and went and investigated the food offerings. There was not much, as I appeared to have caught the change over between breakfast and lunch. So I grabbed some juice and a danish and retreated back to my corner and my embroidery. A couple of hours, some food (cold meats and fruit), some juice, some cordial, some soda water and a quick email check later, I grab bags and have a wander through the terminal. Boarding is called and I make my way back DOWN the stairs (I should have stayed in the lounge) and gleefully make my way through the first, business, premium econ line to 26E on the lower deck business class cabin. After boarding had finished there was no one in 26F so I moved over to give the guy in 26D some space. I spent a fair bit of time exploring the seat, working out how bits moved, and trying to find a comfortable position. The lower deck seemed to be fairly lightly loaded in business, but a peak into Premium Econ showed a fairly full cabin (I didnt venture into Econ).

Dinner was a prosciutto and Parmesan Salad with Red Wine Dressing for the Entree, with a choice of Seared Kingfish with Cade de Paris Butter, Celeriac Gratin and Spinach or Braised Chicken with Lemon and Olives, Orzo Pasta and Asparagus or Roast Rack of LAmb with Aioli and Rosemary Vegetables. This was served with a Green Leaf Salad with Herb Vinaigrette. I went with the Chicken, which was very lemony, but satifying. There was ALOT of asparagus, but it tasted a bit tinny - I dont however think it was tinned asparagus, I suspect it was a mixture of the method of cooking and the time of year. For desert I choose the Nice Cream Rhubarb and Cream Ice Cream with strawberries. The Ice Cream was rock hard, and actually a bit too rich for me. There was no sign of the Valrhona Chocolates, with only the Patons Macadamia chocolates being given out - which given I dont particularly like macadamia nuts was not so good.

Amenity kits were given out. The large green hard sided zip up box contained a lovely set of Kroner samples with thick eye shades, socks and various other bits and pieces. The flight passed rather quickly. I am fairly sure I napped for a bit, and watched various shows on he AVOD. I found it fairly easy to relax in the seat, and water was provided. The refreshments were avaliable from an area in the galley. I vaguely recall grabbing some fruit from there at one stage, along with something to drink.

Arrival at Singapore was on time, and instead of heading to the QF business lounge I went on an expedition to find an orchid retailer...of which there does not appear to be any airside anymore in terminal one. I dont know if thats due to the fact T1 is undergoing major renovations, or that they just no longer exsist. I also did my usual trick and headed off to My Foot reflexology (currently located in the food court) for a 30 minute reflexology treatment, before reboarding for the trip to LHR.

SIN-LHR - This was a change of seat to 25D, but still in Business. Amenity Kits and PJs were given out, with headphones and blankets already on the seat. I changed into PJs fairly quickly after the seatbelt sign went off, and organised my seat into something comfortable for eating. A supper was offered comprising of either a Toasted Baguette with smoked Salmon, cream Cheese, Dill Creme Fraiche and Spinach, or Big bowl of Minestrone Soup with Salsa Verde, or Five Spice Duck with Chestnuts, baby choy sum and fragrant Rice, or Roast Beef Fillet with Port Jus, Steamed Broccoli and Potatoes all served wtih a Green leaf salad with black olives and beans.

I dithered between the baguette and the duck, finally deciding that the baguette appealed a slight bit more for the time of night. For desert I chose the fruit plate, but could have also had the cheese or Caramel Butter Crunch cake with Mascarpone. After the plates were cleared I sorted my seat to the slanted lay flat position, bunged in the supplied ear plugs, pulled down the eye mask and slept for 8 hours. For me this is a minor miracle as I am not a good sleeper to begin with, and sleeping on airplanes is always a hit and miss affair. I must say however I LOVE the business class blanket. The sheet sewn into one side of it really stops the static feel which I generally get from airline blankets. Its lovely and cosy and really really comfy. Tea and coffee and hot chocolate were offered.

Before take off the FAs had collected breakfast menus for service about 2 hours before arrival. I had danish, toast, sausage and fruit. I think there may have been other things, but I cant remember at the moment. Somewhere prior to this I got some more water, and ate some fruit and crackers. The PJ's are lovely and comfy and I have kept them for lounging around the house.

Arrival in London was bumpy, but not too bad. A quick march through the building site that is T4 and I arrived at immigration. Even though I had a fast track pass the queue at normal immigration was not too bad, so I pocketed the pass for next time and went through. A mild interrigation by the agent I was downstairs, collecting my bag and heading into town on the Connect by 7am. From wheels down to my Hotel in Bloomsbury took me an hour and a bit, a record for me. It definately shows the difference that premium classes make in time.

TBC.

London was manic but fun. Caught up with many friends and family, spent money I technically didnt have, and enjoyed myself way too much. For those of you wondering about the logistics...

I stayed at the Thistle Bloomsbury Park Hotel on Southhampton Row. In the process of refurbishment the 5th,6th and 7th floors are lovely, the ground, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th are dire. The 7th floor requires you to walk up a set of stairs from the 6th as the lift does not go up all the way. Breakfast is the full english as much as you want. Only problem is that the only hot drinks are tea or coffee, you cant seem to get hot chocolate. Staff are pretty good, though sometimes you waited a fair while at the desk for them to appear out of the back room.
I'm still glad I kept my Oyster card. This time I bought a pre paid sim from the Carphone Warehouse on the Talk Mobile network. GREAT rates for calling overseas. Ten pound lasted me almost a week, and I was making calls to Australia once a day, as well as local calls and text messages. Be careful when you recharge as there is also a TALK TALK mobile which is totally different and CANT be used interchangeably.

Heathrow connect is half the price of the Heathrow express and you dont have to change trains if you are heading to T4. Its only about 10 minutes more on the train and you end up at the same place anyhow. It is however not as regular as the express - about once every 30 minutes as opposed to every 15. Baggage storage can be a bit of a problem, but if you are travelling light it is a viable alternative if you dont want to do the tube.

Next up - the trip home - including airport chaos, long layovers and baggage mayhem.

Held for return.