We did get cleaned up, and did get things packed and headed down for breakfast. It was a quick meal – Jeff ran down the street to a florist and I headed for the computer to print our boarding passes for JetBlue. Matt had made arrangements for us to have a car take us to Heathrow, and I wanted to be there in plenty of time to do a little Duty Free shopping. The car arrived at 9:30 (it was scheduled for 9:45) and patiently waited whilst we settled our bill, said our good-byes, loaded up all of our kit, and we were off.
Just a little bit here about the Lime Tree Hotel. I do not think that the 97% recommendation rate from T
ripAdvisor is in any way an exaggeration. There were tourists from abroad, true, but there were also many folks from the outlying regions of England and many were regular guests at the hotel. The host, Matt, and his red-headed wife Charlotte, provided excellent, warm and cordial service. Our rooms were attended to daily and were spotless – aside from our piles of clothing and suitcases! The hotel itself was a lovely restoration and had tons of character -- things I love, for sure. Our breakfasts were filling and delicious, if not inspir
ed – it was breakfast, after all. Hot English breakfast included sausage, bacon (English style), eggs (poached or scrambled) a side (alternating tomatoes, beans or mushrooms), toast, jams, orange juice, coffee or tea. The “ continental” breakfast was several different kinds of cereals (fruit & fiber, muesli, wheatabix, cornflakes), porridge, fruit cup (made 
daily and included grapes, melon, mango, nectarine and other in season fruits), yogurt, and toast, jams, orange juice, coffee or tea. Or, you could mix and match from the two menus, which I did frequently by having cereal and a poached egg. Or cereal and porridge (small serving) and fruit. Coffee and tea were excellent, served in china pots.In the back, there is a small enclosed garden and it was pleasant to sit out there in the morning sun. I have included
some photos here of the exterior, the breakfast, the breakfast room and the garden. As lovely as it was, without the warmth and charm of the hosts, this would have been just a nice hotel. Their advice and conversation table-side each morning at breakfast was a lovely touch, and they acted as their own concierge service, making arrangements for guests whenever they could. Their evening staff was also very helpful and kind, making each evening’s return seems like coming home.Heathrow wasn’t a terribly long drive and we managed to miss most of the commuter traffic by leaving on a Saturday morning. Joseph, our driver, handed us his card to let us know that on our return, he would be delighted to fetch us. Funny how so many of the people we met were very sure we would be returning …
One of the singular advantages of flying first with Virgin Air is what they term “Fast Track” – expedited service at every turn. When we landed in England, we were “invited” onto the “Fast Track” by the bright pink card we carried. It identified us to the staff and they routed us appropriately, moving us into special very short lines for immigration and customs. When we went to check in to leave, we were also put on Fast Track and, with our bags checked, we were through special security, and off the shop and the club in absolutely no time at all.
Security … that was a new experience. We had been forewarned of the strictness of security at Heathrow, and so had tried to insure that we complied about liquids and all that. Did well, until I stepped through the scanner and set it off. A young lady in uniform promptly stepped forward to explain that she would now examine me. No beeping hand-scanner here – I had the most complete groping I have had since being a teenager!! All business, mind you, but I mean it was thorough!
Into the Virgin Atlantic Club, and this is the original flagship club for Sir Richard Branson (who was just Richard Branson at the time he built it). I can readily see why this was completely innovative at the time – and I don’t mean the décor. I do mean the space itself, the thought given to the needs of travelers of all kinds, and the levels of extreme service provided.
You are always cordially greeted by the clerks at the desk, and you and your flight are checked in. See, they actually keep track of you and make sure you are up and ready when your flight is announced! Inside, your butt no sooner touches a chair than a server is there inquiring if you would like anything. There is a delightful menu with a variety of snacks, meals and sweets. An extensive wine menu and a full bar. There are also self-serve counters with fruit, cereal, beverages, snack bars, etc.
Now the lounge itself … well, breathtaking! It is the size of the entire ticketing area of the Buffalo
International Airport. I have included a floor plan here, but it really doesn’t give you a sense of size and space. There are many lounging areas, depending on your mood. Jeff and I parked in the Japanese pool area that has a ceiling to floor Japanese water wall running gently into the infinity pool. It also has a large LCD television with a continuous loop of an aquarium, soft music and lighting, couches, clear bubble hanging chairs, and modern lounging chairs with tables. Throughout the club, areas are semi-defined through the use of tilted glass walls, offering sound damping and definition of an area without occluding the view. Just to run you through the various areas, they include: Poolside, the Deli, the Den (complete with another LCD screen with a fire burning), the Sky Lounge (set half a floor above the room and is bright and light), the Cocktail bar area, the Brasserie, the Multi-screen area (for TV viewing – the 
main screen is the size of the side of a semi-truck!), the Office and Library, the playground (an area for children to play and run and climb which can be totally shut to keep noise of boisterous children down, the GARDEN (yes, really, plants and everything!!!), the Spa, a Bumble & Bumble Salon (hairdressers, manicurists, barbers available without appointment), and last, but not least, the restrooms and showers. There are lockers to check your bags so you can meander at will inside or outside the Club (and they remember you – I don’t know how – but when I left and returned, I was greeted warmly and ushered back into the Club.) Newcomers to the Club are given escorted tours to they are aware of all of the amenities available to them, and there is a desk for making flight changes, arranging for transportation or hotels. Incredible!Too soon, our flight was called and we headed to the gate. LONG walk, to be sure, and they warn patrons that it is a 10-15 minutes walk. It was all of that! On board, again greeted with a glass of champagne, pampering and excellent service. We had a lovely meal. I watched two movies (there are some 45 to choose from, including excellent foreign films, mostly new box office films), then pulled out pillow and duvet, touched the seat adjustment panel and it slid to a semi-reclining position so I could watch movies and doze. Some folks had beds made up and slept most of the flight. Again, we were provided with a packet with socks, ear plugs, toothbrush and toothpaste and a shoe bag. Sigh … I am completely spoiled now for travel, for sure!!
Made good time into JFK and we even landed on time, though it was a lengthy taxi to the terminal. Back to reality as we claimed our luggage and headed through Immigration and Customs. No problems there. Rode the Air Train over to the JetBlue terminal and checked in. It really wasn’t terribly busy at that time of the day, and a little cheery conversation meant we didn’t have to pay the extra fee for our big bag being 3 pounds over. Both Jeff and I had bloopers at the security screening – he had stowed a bottle of water in my carry on bag and we had tucked a corkscrew in the larger carry one bag we had. This time, I had tried to pack that bag with the carry on regulations in mind, but the corkscrew was a lapse. Through security, it was just wait. And change gates … and wait. And change gates.
We grabbed a quick, light bite before we took off for Buffalo. By then, we were both dragging and eager for the travel to be over. People watching was fun in JFK – a young girl practicing her Irish step dancing in the wide open spaces of the terminal; the wheel chair gang, most of whom were West Indian by their accents and Jamaican unless my ear has gone, chatting away good naturedly while I typed away on my computer blogging; folks heading back to their homes in the northeast after trips to the Caribbean (telltale corn rows with beads, tans and flip-flops!).
Quick flight to Buffalo, arriving about 10 minutes early. Bags arrived, too, and then we were on our way to the long term parking, somewhere near Batavia … I’m not kidding. You have to exit the airport and drive up Genesee Street and then turn into the parking lots. Congenial driver who was also helpful. We got loaded up, paid our parking and headed for home. And I can tell you, that last 12 miles between Silver Creek/Forestville and Fredonia IS, without doubt, the LONGEST stretch of the NYS Thruway!!!
Tired but happy to have arrived home, even knowing that Jeff would have to tackle a major plumbing problem in the morning, we had a celebratory glass of wine, pulled on jammies and headed for bed.
Off, with love --
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