Bumpy take-off and a Turkish Lunch over the Alpes, the journey to Kathmandu begins...
Wendover, Marylebone, Paddington, Hammersmith then Heathrow for my Turkish Airlines flight to Kathmandu via Istanbul today - ￡22 for the 90 minute journey.
No passport control as such but a collection of border agency bods hovering, attempting to spot those passengers up to no good. Yep, I'm pulled over and interrogated, trying to explain why I'm leaving the country for six months with only $500 cash. As far as I can tell they believe the story and so let me continue onwards - yes sir, I really want to leave the country!
killing some time at Heathrow airport, wandering around for what seems like several miles through through a succession of corridors just to find a spot where I can see a few planes! A window by gate 44 looks across the airfield to terminal 5, not the best of views and further obscured by rain lashing at the glass - oh we'll, I'll plonk down here anyway, don't have the energy to take another mile long hike just yet!
Another flight with three seats all my own as the doors slam shut - 30 minutes late! No matter, plenty of transfer time at Istanbul as the Boeing 777 aircraft taxis to runway 27R, passing an old Concorde on the way, looking rather subdued but nice to see all the same. A bumpy departure as a strong wind buffets the aircraft, but at least the rain clouds have disappeared. A wide left turn towards Dover gives those of us on the right a good view of Gatwick Airport and hopefully a glimpse of the Alps later. For now though, sitting back with the Ipod and waiting for lunch.
A distinctly Mediterranean flavour to lunch - Eggplant with soft cheese, lightly spiced chicken fillet, a beef patty with rice and vegetables - the best airline lunch since 2011, not at all bad for cattle class. Time for some camera action as the snow capped Austrian Alps pass below. Unfortunately the planes vapour trail make snapping a good photo rather tricky.
I thought Dubai was a big airport, but Istanbul's Ataturk seems twice the size. More leg work, a major effort to find the next gate and further scrutiny of ones belongings.
Wendover, Marylebone, Paddington, Hammersmith then Heathrow for my Turkish Airlines flight to Kathmandu via Istanbul today - ￡22 for the 90 minute journey.
No passport control as such but a collection of border agency bods hovering, attempting to spot those passengers up to no good. Yep, I'm pulled over and interrogated, trying to explain why I'm leaving the country for six months with only $500 cash. As far as I can tell they believe the story and so let me continue onwards - yes sir, I really want to leave the country!
killing some time at Heathrow airport, wandering around for what seems like several miles through through a succession of corridors just to find a spot where I can see a few planes! A window by gate 44 looks across the airfield to terminal 5, not the best of views and further obscured by rain lashing at the glass - oh we'll, I'll plonk down here anyway, don't have the energy to take another mile long hike just yet!
Another flight with three seats all my own as the doors slam shut - 30 minutes late! No matter, plenty of transfer time at Istanbul as the Boeing 777 aircraft taxis to runway 27R, passing an old Concorde on the way, looking rather subdued but nice to see all the same. A bumpy departure as a strong wind buffets the aircraft, but at least the rain clouds have disappeared. A wide left turn towards Dover gives those of us on the right a good view of Gatwick Airport and hopefully a glimpse of the Alps later. For now though, sitting back with the Ipod and waiting for lunch.
A distinctly Mediterranean flavour to lunch - Eggplant with soft cheese, lightly spiced chicken fillet, a beef patty with rice and vegetables - the best airline lunch since 2011, not at all bad for cattle class. Time for some camera action as the snow capped Austrian Alps pass below. Unfortunately the planes vapour trail make snapping a good photo rather tricky.
I thought Dubai was a big airport, but Istanbul's Ataturk seems twice the size. More leg work, a major effort to find the next gate and further scrutiny of ones belongings.
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