Essex Express-UK December 2021

[andye]

There was long bus transfer from gate to our next flight DOH-HEL. I had pretty low expectations given it was an A320 advertised as Business Class recliners

However, we were pleasantly surprised. The seats were angled-flat but comfortable with lots of space and decent-sized screen. Good for couples too

 

[andye]

Food and drink also good and service excellent

 

[andye]

Landed in Helsinki to a snowy landscape
Dilly-dallied getting off so though airport very quiet had a bit of a wait at the single line of transit security before going to the Finnair lounge

 

[andye]

The Finnair Lounge was a good one. The Platinum Wing isn't open but liked the place. Finnish beer and gin available at the bar

 

[andye]

The HEL-LHR flight was our only one in Y but J doesn't mean much in Eurobusiness where all you get is a blocked middle seat. We had a gap anyway. AY'sseat pitch seemed less than BA but I may just have been missing G&T. Overall a dull, not very comfortable journey though had good night-time London views

 

[andye]

Exit through LHR immigration was very quick via the egates. I guess that all the information on the passenger locator forms is matched to passport.
I thought I had worked out an efficient way of dealing with next steps but it was slower than I expected. The shuttle from T3 to the Budget/Avis depot took a while.
The Passat I had requested was replaced with this
It was raining and there wasn't time to argue the toss before we needed to get to the Sofitel for our mandatory "day 2" Covid tests. These were the ones with the quickest turnaround minimising need for isolation until result received


The testing centre is inside the hotel. The Covid test is PCR but saliva-based. You are guided through the procedure by an app. I found it took a surprising while to generate 2 ml of spit

 

[VPS]

Aaah - London - I am seriously envious of you travelling but very happy for you - Have a wonderful time

 

[andye]

We had originally planned to be spending the night with mrsandye's beloved aunt in Diss but realised before leaving that we would be arriving too late for her. A couple of the nice places nearby her wouldn't accept isolating guests but ended up booking Ickworth Hall near Bury St Edmunds. After a wet, dark drive we reached the hotel at 11.30 and were greeted by the sound of a guest singing (very well)

 

[andye]

Ickworth Hall is a National Trust property. Our room was named after Augustus Hervey who was buried there. Hervey Bay was named after him

Augustus Hervey, 3rd Earl of Bristol - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

And some more on his colourful personal life as "the English Casanova"

Augustus Hervey, the English Casanova - HeadStuff

During life Augustus Hervey was best known as a Navy captain and politician. The publication of his diaries after his death told a much more salacious tale.

headstuff.org

 

[andye]

The hotel is in the part of the building toward the left

The room

And the common areas

 

[andye]

Our arrival tests were back just in time for breakfast. Out of black pudding but good fare in pretty surroundings

They provide activities for children and there is a spa.

I didn't find the swimming pool but spotted the wine cellar

 

[andye]

We were then off to see Auntie V and Zio F (Italian uncle) in Diss.
It was our first catch-up with loved ones and worth the trip in itself. They are both in their 80s but had decorated the house in anticipation of our arrival
A big shout-out to Zio F's melanzane parmigiana, culinary highlight of the trip

A quick postprandial catnap and off we go

 

[andye]

Another dark drive down to our next stop, in Marks Tey near Colchester

The Marks Tey hotel is 4 star but not an architectural triumph. We had looked at various accommodation but the ability for the extended andye clan to be all at the same place trumped them. Did get a good rate with the Amex Travel offer. The corridor carpet is a bit "The Shining" (or a rival to PDX).

 

[andye]

It had been 31 months since we'd seen my mum, brothers, sister, brother-in-law and sister-in-law. But here we were hugging each other in a hotel bar in Essex ready to go out to dinner. Happy days

Dinner was at the Ranfield's Brasserie in Coggeshall. It had previously been known as the Langan's brasserie (an offshoot of the Mayfair restaurant of Peter Langan and Michael Caine. A notorious drinker, Langan died nearby after what is widely believed to be a drunken self-immolation. More in this article: peter langan ).

 

[andye]

Food and wine very good. Company even better

 

[andye]

We had to hit the ground running next morning. I had booked the only available next-day Covid tests in Chelmsford for 10 o'clock and the wedding was at 12.
Chelmsford is 45 minutes drive away. After some preliminary make-up and hair-styling (mrsandye not me), we popped into town to post UK Christmas presents (maddening system where all parcelling material near the Post Office upstairs had to be bought downstairs in the colocated WHSmith).
We arrived promptly at the testing clinic to find the room occupied and another couple waiting. They explained they were on stand-by flying to Fiji next day.
The tester came out asking for next appointment. Politely explained that we were in a rush for a wedding and could we keep our scheduled appointment. Tester said firmly "No-they were here first". Couple did not give us a "No, after you" either!!!
Worse was to come...

 

[andye]

We eventually got in 10.30

Told we had booked the wrong test as "next day" meant by 11pm the next day. The website I had booked with had made no mention of this.

At this point I started to leave the room angrily (I have a long temper but time was ticking). Mrsandye was still sitting down (in tears) and he did make conciliatory noises saying he could sort the test out for us by using another provider (for the same price and with a refund of the original).

Only thing was his online payment system was down and we would need to make a direct bank transfer. I couldn't do this from my Australian account or my UK bank as didn't have my verification device.

Every alarm bell was ringing but we were in a position where even losing GBP400 was a relatively trivial concern. Mrsandye called my sister and arranged the transfer.

Both mrsandye and I have had dozens of Covid tests but this was our most uncomfortable tonsillar swab. Anyway we were out, maybe validly tested, maybe not

 

[andye]

La voiture orange made good time (mostly legally) back to Marks Tey but at least half the population will appreciate the pressure of being ready for a wedding within 20 minutes. Mrsandye performed her customary magic and we were off to Coggeshall for the service.

 

[andye]

St Peter ad Vincula was a lovely parish church. One of the ushers was Covid-Marshall asking all members of the congregation to wear masks. Thankfully the star players were exempted (and we all knew there would be no masks at the reception). Everyone looking very smart-gents in tails.The weather held off. Bride beautiful. Classic hymns. Thoughtful sermon. Beautiful service.

 

[andye]

We secured a 10 seater taxi for the short-drive to the reception which meant the andye clan could all go together (taxis are a bit of a nightmare in the area-told Brexit/Covid emigration of drivers)
Veuve and canapes followed by great speeches and a rather splendid Beef Wellington. Lots of dancing with a very good band.