Christmas in the UK

[OATEK]

In about 10 days we head off to the UK to spend time with family. Firstly with some of MrsOatek's family in Greater Manchester, and a side visit to Chatsworth, Buxton.

After our northern adventures we head to London by train to spend 4 weeks with our daughter's family, participating in all the build up to Christmas. This will include a pantomime, a steam train trip to the Christmas markets at Winchester Cathedral, the Nutcracker at the Coliseum (London), and other adventures.

We hope for a few local events in SE London, perhaps at our granddaughter's school and some of the local venues.

We have been persuaded to chase the Northern Lights in Norway for New Year's Eve, which should be fun (in a very frigid way).

This report will not be day to day reporting of activities, but rather a series of vignettes. While a visit to Waitrose at Beckenham is one of my favourite excursions, it is difficult to capture the magic of such an event in a trip report.

Similarly, the quiet enjoyment of coffee and pastries at the local café, or a #197 bus to Peckham Rye may not excite the average reader despite the recent success in some quarters of the movie Rye Lane.

Spoiler alert: do not expect daily updates a 'la @drron. This travel report may only cover 3 or 4 excursions and/or events per week, but hopefully will interest some as we go in search of a White Christmas in London (see, already setting myself up for failure).

 

[Pushka]

In about 10 days we head off to the UK to spend time with family. Firstly with some of MrsOatek's family in Greater Manchester, and a side visit to Chatsworth, Buxton.

After our northern adventures we head to London by train to spend 4 weeks with our daughter's family, participating in all the build up to Christmas. This will include a pantomime, a steam train trip to the Christmas markets at Winchester Cathedral, the Nutcracker at the Coliseum (London), and other adventures.

We hope for a few local events in SE London, perhaps at our granddaughter's school and some of the local venues.

We have been persuaded to chase the Northern Lights in Norway for New Year's Eve, which should be fun (in a very frigid way).

This report will not be day to day reporting of activities, but rather a series of vignettes. While a visit to Waitrose at Beckenham is one of my favourite excursions, it is difficult to capture the magic of such an event in a trip report.

Similarly, the quiet enjoyment of coffee and pastries at the local café, or a #197 bus to Peckham Rye may not excite the average reader despite the recent success in some quarters of the movie Rye Lane.

Spoiler alert: do not expect daily updates a 'la @drron. This travel report may only cover 3 or 4 excursions and/or events per week, but hopefully will interest some as we go in search of a White Christmas in London (see, already setting myself up for failure).

I hope your quest for a White Christmas is very successful so we too can celebrate. London looks fab all done up for Christmas. We will be there the week before Christmas and putting Harrods on the list as a must see.

 

[OATEK]

The first part of out trip is a classic reward positioning flight to Singapore on 28/11, in PE on the new QF291 service, utilising a Finnair A330. Should be interesting, sitting at the bulk head and not fussed considering a day flight although we do have a speculative upgrade request in to J. But flight looks very full.

Been a a few AY A330s in the past, but they did not have PE back then, or even comfort seats.

To keep a bit of separation between flights, we have 2 nights at the Crowne plaza at the airport. Should be interesting to spend some time in the adjacent Jewell. Its over 15 years since we were last in Singapore (other than in transit).

Saw the recent pics from @drron when he and mrsdrron were staying there, and looking forward to a bit of an explore without getting too adventurous.

 

[love_the_life]

Sigh......

 

[OATEK]

Ok, so the first week is all booked solid - don't you just love the internet.

The flight onQF291 is busy, but our upgrade request must have a chance: J8 C8 D4 I2 U0 W7 R7 T5 Z0 Y9 B9 H9 K8 M8 L1 V0 S1 N0 Q0 O0 G0 X0 E0. As I said upthread I won't be too disappointed if the upgrade does not come through, as it is a day time flight and we will be sitting up any way (in PE).

After our 2 nights in Singapore we will be flying to Manchester on Emirates - our first time. The SIN-DXB leg is going to be the 777, with 2-2-2 in J. We have our 2 seats together, and don't mind sharing our space on that leg. You never know, they might upgrade us to 1st (no reason why they should, mind you). We are on EK405, and the load looks like this a little over a week out: F4 A4 J4 C0 I0 O0 Y3 R0 X0 M0 B0 U0 K0 Q0 L0 V0. I believe this flight starts in MEL, so might get a few G'days as we board in SIN.

Only 1.5hrs in DXB before the final leg DXB-MAN, which will be on a 2 class A380, in the new J seats (1-2-1 cabin layout). then Limo pickup for the transfer to the Novotel just off St peter's Square. We have stayed here before and it is great for connections via tram. Our first tram trip will be the next day to Shaw, where the family will collect us and drag us to a favourite pub for a long lunch.

As for other bookings in the first week:

2/12 - Rozafa Greek restaurant on the edge of St Peter's Sq - for dinner after an eclectic day in Salford Quays, visiting the Lowry gallery and the outlet stores.

3/12 - drive to Old Hall, Buxton.
4/12 - Christmas at Chatsworth, with house entry and lunch in the Cavendish restaurant
5/12 - Avanti West coast railways from Manchester Piccadilly to London, Euston.

Mmmm, getting excited!

 

[VPS]

Ok, so the first week is all booked solid - don't you just love the internet.

The flight onQF291 is busy, but our upgrade request must have a chance: J8 C8 D4 I2 U0 W7 R7 T5 Z0 Y9 B9 H9 K8 M8 L1 V0 S1 N0 Q0 O0 G0 X0 E0. As I said upthread I won't be too disappointed if the upgrade does not come through, as it is a day time flight and we will be sitting up any way (in PE).

After our 2 nights in Singapore we will be flying to Manchester on Emirates - our first time. The SIN-DXB leg is going to be the 777, with 2-2-2 in J. We have our 2 seats together, and don't mind sharing our space on that leg. You never know, they might upgrade us to 1st (no reason why they should, mind you). We are on EK405, and the load looks like this a little over a week out: F4 A4 J4 C0 I0 O0 Y3 R0 X0 M0 B0 U0 K0 Q0 L0 V0. I believe this flight starts in MEL, so might get a few G'days as we board in SIN.

Only 1.5hrs in DXB before the final leg DXB-MAN, which will be on a 2 class A380, in the new J seats (1-2-1 cabin layout). then Limo pickup for the transfer to the Novotel just off St peter's Square. We have stayed here before and it is great for connections via tram. Our first tram trip will be the next day to Shaw, where the family will collect us and drag us to a favourite pub for a long lunch.

As for other bookings in the first week:

2/12 - Rozafa Greek restaurant on the edge of St Peter's Sq - for dinner after an eclectic day in Salford Quays, visiting the Lowry gallery and the outlet stores.

3/12 - drive to Old Hall, Buxton.
4/12 - Christmas at Chatsworth, with house entry and lunch in the Cavendish restaurant
5/12 - Avanti West coast railways from Manchester Piccadilly to London, Euston.

Mmmm, getting excited!

OK now I'm really jealous. I really enjoyed my trip to Manchester, Buxton and Chatsworth. The trip on Avanti not so much because of delays and it was so crowded. Have a wonderful time

 

[OATEK]

OK now I'm really jealous. I really enjoyed my trip to Manchester, Buxton and Chatsworth. The trip on Avanti not so much because of delays and it was so crowded. Have a wonderful time

I know what you mean, it can get crowded, and we have done the trip a few times (previously under the guise of Virgin trains). But really the biggest issue is rack space for our cases on these trains. We are in 1st Class, and our seats are next to a rack, but as always first on ....

 

[OATEK]

In the final stages of packing, and are being implored by the UK family members to be ready for the cold, with unsubtle reminders like this:

So in go the long johns and thermals, and the need to carry a heavy weight Wellensteyn jacket over the arm to Singapore, alongside shorts and a T-shirt for the short stays each way.

Final requests are in, including the usual ex-pat cravings:

 

[OATEK]

As posted in the appropriate thread, we received notification at T-28 that we had been upgraded from PE to J on QF291. So we will get to experience the much talked-about Finnair J seat, although being a day flight we will probably stay in seated mode. We have been given 2 seats right at the back of the J cabin, so will eat up big in the First class lounge knowing the food offerings can be a bit meagre for the last few to be served. Salt and pepper squid etc always goes down a treat and will mean we do not have to rely on the onboard offerings.

But given that this is the first time an upgrade request has been granted, we are not complaining and feeling ready to go.

The Singapore arrivals cards have been submitted, so feel confident that the arrangements are in place to kick off our adventure tomorrow.

 

[OATEK]

SYD is heaving with people this morning, I can't remember when I last saw it this busy. Security was slow, and pax a bit fractious, but we got there in the end.

It's a bit grey, but who cares when you final destination is likely to be snowing.

And no, there hasn't been a change of aircraft, it's just the the AY A330 is parked on the other side of the terminal.

Off to Singapore shortly for our 2 night layover before our EK flights to Manchester.

 

[Flatforlonghaul]

Thanks OATEK, following and enjoying

 

[OATEK]

Well, the first leg of the trip has been successfully completed.

The flight on the Finnair A330 was very good, with excellent service from the crew, and decent food. The chicken skewers followed by the hot numbing pork were excellent dishes - QF has certainly lifted its game.

The only downer, if you can call it that, is that we are not fans of the new AY J seat. Mind you we didn't use it as a bed, being a day flight. But the seat was difficult to get comfortable in for us plagued by arthritic joints. But compared to Y, well there is no comparison.

Now in the IHG Crowne Plaza at Changi for a 2 night stay before continuing on to the UK via Dubai. Tomorrow we will explore the Jewell.

 

[Pushka]

Well, the first leg of the trip has been successfully completed.

The flight on the Finnair A330 was very good, with excellent service from the crew, and decent food. The chicken skewers followed by the hot numbing pork were excellent dishes - QF has certainly lifted its game.

The only downer, if you can call it that, is that we are not fans of the new AY J seat. Mind you we didn't use it as a bed, being a day flight. But the seat was difficult to get comfortable in for us plagued by arthritic joints. But compared to Y, well there is no comparison.

Now in the IHG Crowne Plaza at Changi for a 2 night stay before continuing on to the UK via Dubai. Tomorrow we will explore the Jewell.

I've read on other FB groups that people either love or hate the AY J seat.

 

[OATEK]

We booked a standard room at the SIN Crowne Plaza and finished up in a very comfortable King room, with a view of the Jewell. Had an 8+ hour sleep which is better than I get at home most nights (mostly because of when the coughatoos and kookaburras start their daily serenade back home).
Breakfast was good, and set us up for a day exploring.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Getting a bit chilly now.

Sadiq Khan declares ‘severe weather emergency’ as London braces for snow

Mayor of London implements measures, designed to protect rough sleepers, with overnight temperatures expected to drop below freezing

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[VPS]

Getting a bit chilly now.

Sadiq Khan declares ‘severe weather emergency’ as London braces for snow

Mayor of London implements measures, designed to protect rough sleepers, with overnight temperatures expected to drop below freezing

www.telegraph.co.uk

And I’m jealous

 

[ellen10]

Looking forward to following along. Enjoy!

 

[TheRealTMA]

UK weather: South-east England sees earliest winter snow in 15 years

The south-east of England has seen its earliest winter snowfall for 15 years as adverse weather conditions disrupted trains and caused schools to close.

www.telegraph.co.uk

Some 700 passengers stranded on Eurostar for eight hours​

About 700 Eurostar passengers have been stranded on a broken down train with no power or working toilets for more than eight hours.
The Amsterdam-bound service departed London St Pancras as scheduled at 8.16am but broke down around half an hour later near the entrance to the Channel Tunnel in Kent.
Eurostar said the incident was caused by an overhead electric cable falling on the train.
Passengers reported that the train has no power and the toilets are not working.
On social media platform X, Eurostar described the situation onboard as “very challenging”.

 

[VPS]

UK weather: South-east England sees earliest winter snow in 15 years

The south-east of England has seen its earliest winter snowfall for 15 years as adverse weather conditions disrupted trains and caused schools to close.

www.telegraph.co.uk

Some 700 passengers stranded on Eurostar for eight hours​

About 700 Eurostar passengers have been stranded on a broken down train with no power or working toilets for more than eight hours.
The Amsterdam-bound service departed London St Pancras as scheduled at 8.16am but broke down around half an hour later near the entrance to the Channel Tunnel in Kent.
Eurostar said the incident was caused by an overhead electric cable falling on the train.
Passengers reported that the train has no power and the toilets are not working.
On social media platform X, Eurostar described the situation onboard as “very challenging”.

I read that - it sounded disgusting

 

[OATEK]

After our break in Singapore we headed back to T1 for EK 405/019 to Manchester via Dubai. Check-in was smooth, we had an hour or so in the EK lounge, and then headed to the gate for the Singapore jig. Actually, the security check went quite smoothly, despite a very long line for Y pax.

EK405 was the old B777 fitout of 2-3-2 in J. But in the mini J cabin of 2 rows it had a quiet intimate feel, and we were very comfortable.

The food and service were great, and although not on. QF code share we received warm welcomes from the Purser on both flights.

We were 30mins late out of SIN so arrived with barely an hour between flights in DXB. But we pulled in nearly opposite the departure gate, breezed through security and found they had just started boarding EK19. As it turns out we then waited another 30mins for pax off a connecting flight, but the Veuve yellow kept us happy. J was the new style 1-2-1 fitout, and we had side seats in front/behind each other.

We both agreed that the EK seats on both flights were much more comfortable for us than the AY seat.

Arrival into MAN was about 30mins late, but the smart gates worked well and we were soon out with our bags to the chauffeur drive desk and on our way to the Novotel in the city centre.

All in all a successful 3 day journey to the UK.

And yes, it is cold!