Japan and a Windy trip around the British Isles.

drron · May 27, 2019

So I watched Glass the movie and listened to some music as well as try to sleep between meals.
The service was good and the staff were friendly.Not the same polish as the Japanese or SQ but certainly as with those not robotic.

An enjoyable flight and we do the reverse mid June.A pity that it is being phased out so no more F awards on OZ.

On time into FRA but a long walk to Immigration who just waved us through without even looking at a passport.Arrived at the baggage carousel and the bags had done half a round of the carousel with ours in the lead.Another fair walk to The Sheraton.Getting older and we like to break up the journey.

A bit hopeless at checkin as only 1 line for guests and 1 for airline staff.As soon as someone arrived at the airline staff line one of the managers came out to them.For the one line only 1 agent who seemed to know what he was doing.The other only processed 1 couple whilst we were waiting and kept interupting the fellow who was actually working.
Then a guy came and formed his own line,spoke to the hopelessone and the GM came out and processed him so obviously a frequent stayer but also later in the lounge was a DYKWIA type.The GM saw the ever increasing line so helped out and got another agent out as well.An "upgrade" to a club floor-no different to an ordinary room and we get lounge access anyway.
The wines and food in the lounge were ordinary.Didn't worry us as we were still full from the flight.

So the room and view.

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Not impressed and unlikely to stay again.

drron · May 27, 2019

The next morning didn't bother with breakfast at the Sheraton.So back to the airport.Any one who thinks the transfer from domestic to International at SYD is a pain don't do the Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 transfer at FRA at the moment.Train not running,busses leave only when they are overloaded.Not enough storage space for luggage.
No problems at check in or Immigration and off to the JAL lounge which BA is using.A sakura lounge only.

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OK and enough for breakfast.
We knew with security at the gate we should leave a little early.Security certainly made up for the relaxed attitude of Immigration officials.I had to take out my phone and kindle as well as computers.The fellow in front of me had to take out his electrical cords as well as take off his glasses and watch.I didn't have to do that but every individual LAG was inspected closely.Naturally I needed a pat down-no wanding.A Fraulien decided she wanted to pat me down.As I expected she didn't find anything.

love_the_life · May 27, 2019

I meant to ask, what was mrs.dr.ron's coughtail of the day and did she enjoy it? It certainly looked interesting.

drron · May 27, 2019

It was called a peach bomb hence the colour and shape of the container.She did like it.

drron · May 28, 2019

So the short hop to LHR in BA Club World.
FRA-LHR. BA 903. ETD 1110. Push back-1107. Take off-1129. A321. Seats 1 D,F
ETA=1200. Landed-1151. At gate 1157.
The typical Europe J with blocked middle seat,Never expect much from these flights but the crew were really good.A few pics before take off.LH certainly have a few 747/748s around.

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drron · May 28, 2019

After take off.

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Then our snack,a seafood plate.Was quite nice.

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drron · May 28, 2019

Really good visibility that day.Overflying BRU I presume.

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Zeebruggen

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The further you get from cities the more of these monstrosities are built.Now cheaper power if they are close to cities so some should be built in affluent areas of cities to see how popular they would be then.

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The last one appeared to be still in the construction phase.

drron · May 28, 2019

Across the channel and the English are doing it too.

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We then followed the Thames.

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drron · May 28, 2019

We then went into a holding pattern to the south of London before landing from the west.

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Landed just after a couple of planes from the USA.Didn't get any Fast Track passes so about 40 minutes to get through Immigration.Naturally by the time we got to the baggage carousel our bags were waiting for us.We are past the point of having to travel cheaply and with our bags got a taxi to our Hotel.A very chatty driver who pointed out things of interest and of course you get delivered right to the hotel door.
We were staying at the Cheval Three Quays Apartments literally a hoop,skjp and a jump from our embarkation point.That next.

love_the_life · May 28, 2019

At least one thing can be said about the wind generators is that they don't belch acrid smoke into the atmosphere. I remember what it was like around Yallourn in the 60s. Everything including washing on the line was covered with brown and sometimes the air was so thick you couldn't see through it.

Getting back to the TR your accommodation sounds in a great location.

drron · May 28, 2019

Now,now LTL.These turbines contain 250 kg of niobium.The processing of 1 tonne of niobium produces 500 Kg of radioactive waste.As well the mining of niobium is associated with "black"lung.

Towards sustainable processing of columbite group minerals: elucidating the relation between dielectric properties and physico-chemical transformations in the mineral phase - Scientific Reports

Current methodologies for the extraction of tantalum and niobium pose a serious threat to human beings and the environment due to the use of hydrofluoric acid (HF). Niobium and tantalum metal powders and pentoxides are widely used for energy efficient devices and components. However, the current...

www.nature.com

love_the_life · May 28, 2019

drron said:
Now,now LTL.These turbines contain 250 kg of niobium.The processing of 1 tonne of niobium produces 500 Kg of radioactive waste.As well the mining of niobium is associated with "black"lung.

Towards sustainable processing of columbite group minerals: elucidating the relation between dielectric properties and physico-chemical transformations in the mineral phase - Scientific Reports

Current methodologies for the extraction of tantalum and niobium pose a serious threat to human beings and the environment due to the use of hydrofluoric acid (HF). Niobium and tantalum metal powders and pentoxides are widely used for energy efficient devices and components. However, the current...

www.nature.com

OT but I didn't say they had no 'downside', I just said that the air was not as bad as places with coal fired power stations. Anyway, hopefully for you I hope you didn't come across many more in the trip. I'm looking forward to some of the photos from the ship.

drron · May 28, 2019

So to our apartment.

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The view is superb.

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And that is where we will embark from our balcony.But what a great London view.

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Our balcony.

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We loved this place and highly recommend it.Ours was a Tower view room.The staff were friendly and very helpful with advice.I needed some printing and scanning done.Did it straight away at no extra cost.

drron · May 28, 2019

If you stay 2 nights or more you get a breakfast pack.This is some of it.

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In the fridge were 6 eggs a packet of sliced cheese,a packet of salami andbottles of orange and apple juice as well as mineral water and milk.Plus some butter.
After unpacking I went for a walk to check out the Avis office where we will pick up a car on our return.Just as well I did as it took some finding-a desk basically hidden from view in a hotel lobby.Walked around a bit.Le Boreal was moored beside the Belfast where the Wind will be the next day.

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On the other side of Tower Bridge from the Cheval isan old quay with a mixof old and new vessels.

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drron · May 28, 2019

The rest of the afternoon we sat on our balony with a bottle of wine and a packet of kettle crisps from a nearby Tesco Express.Watched the comings and goings on the river with the bridge opening and closing for an old sightseeing ferry.It can only go a few hundred metres before turning around and coming back under Tower bridge.

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And back.

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And night approaches.

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drron · May 28, 2019

A bit after 1930 Le Boreal left.It was about 4 hours past it's advertised departure time.

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About 2130 I was about to go to bed when I heard an almighty racket going on below.It even woke mrsdrron which is near impossible in the first couple of hours of her sleep.This was the view.

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A hundred or so people in Gym gear called the Midnight Runners doing calisthenics to the music of Rocky at max decibels.Fortunately after about 20 minutes they ran off to annoy some other poor souls.
More night scenes.

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drron · May 29, 2019

The next morning a little after sunrise.

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After brekkie I walked up to change my old UK 5 and 10 pound notes as they were no longer able to be used.Less than a KM from the Cheval.Lots of monuments including the Monument-to the Great Fire which started near here.

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Some wonderful old buildings.

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The Bank of England.

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Then followed a moment of British farce.They tell you to take your passport plus another photo ID.First you can't just walk in the main door.You must enter via the Visitor's door.Full security and a short pat down as I set off the machine.Then a fellow with the typical English voice enquiring of me-And just what is sir doing here?To change my old banknotes.I then had to produce them.Through that door and turn right.There were 2 tellers and no other customers so I walk up,hand over my notes and given the brand new ones.No request at all to see my ID.

I then intended to go to the Bank's Museum but as my visit did not take the long wait advised I had over half an hour to wait.So went for a little walk.That next.