TomCat's Suite Adventure

[pagingjoan]

All too soon we were touching down in London. Because you disembark through door 2, they held back the J pax in their seats so they we could go before them. The terminal transit process was easy (security don't seem to care about amenity kit liquids not bagged up) and we beelined for the BA F ....

You two seem to be having an amazing time. Enjoy every moment.
Just don't get too complacent about LHR Security and amenity kits.

I've learnt the hard way to empty out liquids and gels and salvage what you need. It's not so much the loss of an amenity kit that rankles, but being shouted at and treated like a criminal that is less than fun.

My approach these days is to ditch the products that are of no particular interest, and add the bits that are worth keeping to my existing L&G bag, then reassemble later to pass on to anyone who wants the kits.

A trivial aspect. Go back to the important things. Focus on the Champagne.

 

[TomVexille]

I'm taking the train next time...


Now I decided that when I'm next to the sea, it would be silly not to eat the local seafood. So spaghetti with clams. Yum.



Corniglia was excellent. Far quieter than the other towns. That point was emphatically made the following morning by the multiple tour groups clogging up Riomaggiore who seemed to think that they had a monopoly on the place. We quickly escaped back up the hill for a quiet drink.

Next up was lunch in Manarola. We both opted for the fish of the day. Baked and served with potatoes. It was absolutely delicious.



Unfortunately the fish was served on a tile, and it wasn't until after I finished eating that I realized I had a pool of oil on my lap

That resulted in us dropping back into Corniglia so I could change and a little afternoon siesta.

We hopped back on the train later in the afternoon to Vernazza. Where we soaked in some more of the sun, Eeyore had a pre dinner beer



while we people watched. It was interesting to see that the town mostly cleared out by about 6pm. Dinner followed, I had (more ) spaghetti with mixed seafood. So simple yet so good.

 

[blackcat20]

Our Riomaggiore drinks away from the crazy tour groups


My dinner; pesto trofie. After seafood, pesto seems to be a star dish for Cinque Terre, and it was as good as I remembered.

There was also a Caprese salad, because, summer.

And wine. There's always wine.


After that we hopped a train back to Corniglia to finish our bottle of red on the terrace. Unfortunately the new people in apartment 3 were a bit surprised to see us there (shared terrace) and bizarrely moved their wardrobe in front of their glass doors, encore eventually coming out onto the terrace to eat their dinner

 

[JessicaTam]

It's been great When are you free in MEL next?

You will have to start a TomCat Returns thread. But not until at least the 10th July - when I get back!

 

[TomVexille]

You will have to start a TomCat Returns thread. But not until at least the 10th July - when I get back!

Lucky for you we're likely busy until about then

 

[blackcat20]

Our final office in Italy

 

[ellen10]

Ahh Lake Como I think!
I remember those views.
Loving the pics and stories.
Enjoy!

 

[LadyC]

So much delicious food! Very jealous

 

[kermatu]

...
Then it was time to head to the gate and the shamozzle that is BA's version of priority boarding. The line was so long we assumed it was the general line. And even then, they started boarding the general line before the PB line had been cleared. The flight itself is not even worth discussing...

Was it really that bad? I have a couple coming up and am now rather depressed.

 

[boomy]

Was it really that bad? I have a couple coming up and am now rather depressed.

Can't speak for TomCat but from my experiences with Club Europe it's really nothing special. Not good, not bad, just bland. Seat same as Y (middle seat blocked), legroom in row 1 is ok, food is meh but service usually attentive.

Having said all that, it is still better than Y

 

[TonyHancock]

I don't mind Club Europe, Griselda usually organises an Airbus A321 for me.

 

[boomy]

I don't mind Club Europe, Griselda usually organises an Airbus A321 for me.

View attachment 73815

To be accurate this is Club World, the product BA use for medium haul flights, not the usual A321 you'll get intra-Europe
I got it once on short haul as last minute substitute and loved the "throne" seat

 

[TomVexille]

Was it really that bad? I have a couple coming up and am now rather depressed.

To be honest, it was probably just fine, but after coming off the high that was JL, and a few extra champagnes in the CCR, I just wanted to sleep, so that's what I did. As we are not OWE, row 1 was not available so the legroom sucked. The food looked and smelled good, but I skipped the meal to sleep.

 

[TonyHancock]

To be accurate this is Club World, the product BA use for medium haul flights, not the usual A321 you'll get intra-Europe
I got it once on short haul as last minute substitute and loved the "throne" seat

Actually it is the ex BMI seat. One has been servicing the OSL route relatively regularly. As you say it has been used in medium haul, I invariably seem to find a menu for LHR-TLV in the nooks and crannies when I recline. I'm 5 from 27 on this config for 2016.

To be honest, it was probably just fine, but after coming off the high that was JL, and a few extra champagnes in the CCR, I just wanted to sleep, so that's what I did. As we are not OWE, row 1 was not available so the legroom sucked. The food looked and smelled good, but I skipped the meal to sleep.

The food is usually OK but the seats and legroom are poor. Another reminder of how lucky we are in Australia.

 

[blackcat20]

Was it really that bad? I have a couple coming up and am now rather depressed.

I'd put the seat/legroom on par with JQ. Service was good but I wasn't hungry and the woman and kid behind me talked loudly the entire way....

 

[Steady]

the woman and kid behind me talked loudly the entire way....

You need a good set of NC headphones

 

[kermatu]

To be honest, it was probably just fine, but after coming off the high that was JL, and a few extra champagnes in the CCR, I just wanted to sleep, so that's what I did. As we are not OWE, row 1 was not available so the legroom sucked. The food looked and smelled good, but I skipped the meal to sleep.

Thanks for that info. We have row 1 but for one flight at least will be coming off a proper J international service, so expectations aren't great.

Enjoying the rest of your TR, by the way.

 

[TomVexille]

BA not opening check in until 11am for a 1320 flight at LIN

 

[blackcat20]

And then woman in front takes 15 minutes to argue for something that they check in agent wouldn't let her have. Thank goodness for priority security. The BA lounge is also adequate.

 

[TomVexille]

The annoying part being that the check in agent sat there for 20 minutes playing on her phone until 11am rolled around.