Sunday 5th January 2025
What a filthy day to wake up to; rain, and such low clouds that itâs almost dark, not looking forward to our drive to Heathrow
We left Hope Farm late morning heading to Cribbs Causeway to exchange some Xmas presents and have a spot of lunch, then hit the M4. It was certainly the right decision to head out today and save any panic on a Monday morning.
Arriving at our overnight accommodation in the âgloomyâ afternoon, with rain still bucketing down, we parked up and dashed in.
First time in this Premier Inn, they had everything so we could stay-put and dine in. Hope Farm to Heathrow is not that far but in the conditions, we were exhausted so after a pleasant dinner, had an early night.
Monday 6th January 2025
After a good nights sleep; we skipped breakfast as we have a pass to a lounge so headed straight to the long-stay car park. So far everything was going smoothly, and we even parked right by the shuttle bus stop, this was lucky as it was starting to rain again.
Soon we were in the terminal and as we were premium, no queue to check in, then straight to fast track for security. For the first time for years no liquids, watches or computers, belts or shoes had to be placed in separate trays, just empty your pockets and then into a body scanner: quick, simple and no fuss, well for everyone else but me. I had a handkerchief and they stopped me to ensure that was all. Fancy picking up a handkerchief!!! Anyway the whole process was very quick and simple. Next duty free to buy a couple of bottles to take with us.
We were all set now for our breakfast so headed to the lounge. On arrival we were asked if we had pre-booked; of course not, I am a member so donât need to. Sorry Sir, came the answer, unless you have pre-booked you canât come in: I was not amused!!! They did tell us they had another lounge that took âwalk-insâ, so off we trotted.
Upon arrival there was a bit of a queue and as each person approached the desk, they walked away. When it came to-our turn the first thing they asked was âhave you pre-bookedâ, to which we said no but Iâm a member so it shouldnât be an issue, after all itâs never been an issue anywhere else, U.K. airports or in foreign lands, again I was very much not amused!!! By now we were both rather hungry so headed to one of the restaurants for our breakfast.
Whilst breakfasting I looked at my membership app and it needed up-dating, so did so. I then opened it and there it was, a button to pre-book a lounge. Surely the whole point of having a membership card is for an impromptu visit. All this has changed since the Covid fiasco.
The airport lounge sort of changed everything even to the welcome drink on the plane; the champagne has gone, Prosecco is in: Dreadful!!!!
The 9-hour flight went well, not too much turbulence and as we were on the port side, had sunshine all the way. Touching down in Antigua around 1800hrs local time, in the dark.
We eventually collected our bags and through passport and customs control and into a taxi.
Oh dear, the taxi driver hadnât got a clue as to the address we gave her, she was chuntering on about flights coming after dark and because of the dark, we didnât recognise anywhere. Fortunately more by luck than judgement, we arrived at our address.
Tuesday 7th January 2025
The priority this morning is to go shopping, stock-up we food etc., but first we are waiting for our hire car to be delivered. Because of the time difference of course we woke up early so apart from a cup of tea, we never travel without tea bags, and a bar of chocolate we waited. Even the hire car delivery driver had trouble finding us, still he arrived just after 1000am and off to the supermarket we headed, unfortunately itâs been four long years since we were last here and couldnât remember exactly where it was!! Still after a couple of 3-point turns, found it.
Back at the cottage Christine cooked us a semi-full English breakfast and by Jove we were waiting for that, we were ravenous!!!!
Fridge full, stomachs full and car delivered we headed down into St. Johnâs to find where the off-road buggies start from to book for next week as this is on their bucket list of things to do, unfortunately where they worked from down by the docks is now a car park; shock, horror, they had gone, no sign of them and no one we spoke to knew where they had gone!!! Next we went to find a rather good fish restaurant situated in a back street that is always extremely busy so needed to pre book that. Fortunately we found that and booked a table for next week.
Time was now getting on as navigating the narrow, one way streets around St Johnâs is very time consuming especially as there were two cruise liners in, swelling the numbers of folk wandering around the town.
Back to base to break open the âRumâ and have dinner before heading for another early night and watch TV.