Well, I'd written up this whole day, and had problems with saving. Today I see that nothing but the title of today was saved, so I'm starting all over again.
Left Brian's 10:00 or so, tube to Heathrow. District Line to Baron's Court, change to Piccadilly Line. Took almost 2 hours to get to Terminal 2, Queen's Terminal. $12 cost. Entered Terminal 2, Zone A, where Air Canada passengers check in. No line up. A few people at 6 or so kiosks in Zone A, checking in. I had checked in the night before online, but couldn't print out the boarding pass, got an electronic pass, but then, you have to go to a kiosk and get the pass printed out. Since there was no one at the 6 or so ticket agent booths, I went there for a 'manual' check in. When I got to Zone A and was standing there looking to see how to negotiate the process there an employee came to me and asked if I was there to check in, and he directed me to the agents. He was there to help passengers - was impressed with the service. I was checked in within a couple of minutes. The 6 or so agents here work for 6 different airlines. First question is - what airline are you travelling on? Seems to be very efficient. Was told it would take 15 minutes to walk to gate. TWO HOURS needed from arrival at terminal.
Security: no line up. Was there around noon. Do not arrive at noon to go through immigration, as officers take lunch breaks, and the result is a long long queue to go through immigration. Took just under 15 minutes to get through check in and security.
After security there are a number of shops, restaurants, including the same Japanese sushi restaurant I ate it in 2011, and charged me for a glass of water. I had complained about this via tweet, and they said they were charging for water because it was oxygenated, or something. There is a tiny print sign on the water tap on the table saying there's a charge. Have to look hard to see the sign. Food was good, but I didn't have any water. Had a fairly quick bite.
Also reclaimed some VAT. Had to go upstairs to see the 2 customs agents. No lineup at all. Website said you should plan for a 30 minute wait. Were signs warning people they would get no VAT refund unless they could show the goods purchased, but I didn't have to show anything because I only claimed UK8. Then went downstairs to currency exchange to get UK5.
After this I set out for the gate, got lost, as I went past the gate, and had to retrace my steps. Got to the gate when people were boarding. On the flight over I had priority boarding - was callled as #1. Change in how they call passengers. I had to ask someone where to find the number on the boarding pass, which indicated I had priority boarding. Did not see this on the boarding pass leaving from London. So waited until almost everyone had boarded before I went on. Almost a full flight.
Food: vegetarian pasta - not bad. Salad - not bad. Attendants gave us lots of water. Many times they went through cabin offering water, and I drank a lot of it.
Watched a couple of movies, TV shows. Did not read. Took some snacks - peanuts, oranges. Seats are crowded.
Checkin online: offering to upgrade to Premium Economy for a further $400, $2000 to upgrade to business class. I declined. Would have for an extra $200.
Arrived Vancouver 15:40. Asked Lynn to be at the pick up bay one hour after arrival. Didn't know if I could text her because of sim card issue. Visited with Lynn for a bit. Relaxed. Good to be home. Did some unpacking.
To NOTE:
Mobile phone use in London: In HEATHROW, just after clearing passport control, went to SimLocal booth and bought a Lebara sim card. They insert, set up phone. Go on Lebara website to register. It never showed any charge for my use of the phone. Listed every time I used the phone - voice and texts - but it never showed I spent any additional money, even when I sent an international text. Thought they cost 49 pence. Never was clear as to what was included in the cost of the product.
Lebara: UKPlus. UK30, included UK5 for Blackberry. This was for BBM use, but I didn't need that, and they didn't tell me what this was for; should have asked. Lebara later told me to buy a sim card at Tesco for UK1 and insert myself. Instructions online. Just have to change APN to access their network. Can send a text on Lebara while in Canada; they told me it costs 49pence. I tried to send one upon arrival in Vancouver, but the phone was dead, and at the last minute, tried to send one, but it didn't work. Don't know if this was because the phone was nearly dead. Easy to contact lebara by phone (short wait time) and by live chat.
FUTURE: Can end the Lebara plan by texting a code. Do this at the last minute in England, and insert Blackberry sim.
Koodo - insert sim, and it works; no adjustments necessary
Veronica used O2 http://www.o2.co.uk/ Cheap, she said. Check it out.
Next time in London:
1. Check out buses. Are cheaper to use than tube. There's one charge. You swipe the Oyster card upon entry, do not swipe out, like you do on the tube.
2. Brian on Jubilee Line, West Hampstead. Doris Lessing building.
3. Shopping - good idea to buy clothes in London; lots of choice, and prices are good even when it costs us twice as much. Marks and Spence - bought pants, underwear, dress, leggings. Check out Liberty again.
4.Outside of London - revisit Hampton Court; can take train, or go by river. boat stops just outside the palace. Go in the AM, can spend the whole day there. Take tour of kitchens. Reasonable entry fee. Bought the souvenir book.
Town to revisit: Saffron Walden. Near Audley End House and Gardens. Train goes there, is about 2 miles from there to Saffron Walden. Audley End House sounds interesting. Saffron Walden has many old old buildings, Town of 16,000. Could spend 3-4 hours there walking around; compact area. Saw the church there - St Mary's.
5. Priority boarding - do I have it both flights if using aeroplan miles?
6. Heathrow terminal 2: can get food/drinks on the way to the gate, but no restaurants there; is a neros on the way (coffee house)
7. Try not to arrive at Heathrow any time near noon, when arriving in England; agents at lunch, long long queue to go through passport control. Took a good 2 hours to get through system coming into the country.
8. Air Canada in Vancouver - do not weigh cabin luggage. Try not to go through Toronto. Long walk from domestic to international. Long lineups.
9. Air Canada - on flight to Toronto were not offered alcoholic drinks; were offered free wine on flight back, and probably on the flight there, since it was an international flight. Got a 'free' pillow and blanket.
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