Digital Home of Kristoffer Strom

Wednesday 08th of September 2010

Weekend in London, UK (2007-06-01 -> 2007-06-03)

I've always loved airplanes and flying. I, like every other kid, wanted to be a pilot. But unlike every other kid when I realised that wasn't gonna happen I didn't roll over and play dead I tried out to become a air traffic controller. That didn't work out and there's a fun story about that, but that's not relevant. And my father loves to go to airshows. And when I was a teenager he took us to the biggest airshow in sweden that even had the Blue Angels visiting and that got me sold on it too.

So this year we decided that we were gonna go to Biggin Hill's air show with the WWII memorial flights and battle scenarios and alot of stuff and activities. We booked it pretty early and after some personal issues I was really looking forward to get away! We were going to Stanstead airport through Ryan Air flying from Skavsta. Both of those airports are far away from any city so we spent like 6 hours only getting there. When we got there it was hot as hell! My dad had already printed out maps and all kinds of information how to get to the hotel from Victoria Station so off we went. I was pretty sure we were on the right track but he just had to stop and ask only to have it confirmed that yes indeed it is around the corner. And the hotel... not sure we can call it a hotel, it was more like a hostel.We just had a room with 3 beds, that was it. No bathroom, no shower, nothing. But we weren't meant to sit in the hotel all day so we just freshened up and went out and started walking. We were out looking for someplace to eat and we kept on walking passed Trafalgar Square and eventually found the Texas Embassy. And that was just what it sounds like, an american BBQ place. Unfortunately we got a trainee serving us and got some issues but we weren't in a hurry and we're nice people so it was all good. Then we walked a bit more passed Picadilly over to Buckingham and down to the hotel again to get some sleep.

After a night of very bad sleep we got off to the station again to take the train south and we were gonna take a buss but decided it was absolutely no rush so we stayed a bit to have something to eat. Me and Jocke remembers the bad food from Silverstone and thought it'd be best to eat before. Then we got on the buss with a few other swedes and we were reminded how annoying and loud swedes can be. We got there and was right away treated to a fly-by of a Spitfire in formation with a Typhoon! It was quite impressive seeing a spitfire in full throttle trying to keep up with a Typhoon doing the minimum. And it got loud. We found some ok spots and yes the sun was shining again but hey this england so enjoy it while it lasts. We were treated to one great display after another! A WWI dogfight reinactment, a WWII scenario and a modern combat scenario with quite heavy pyrotechnics used. The Red Arrows where there, the Blue Eagles, the "former Red Arrows gone private" was also there. All in all a mighty impressive show. I'd recommend it to anyone that doesn't get the point.
At about 2 I realised the sun wasn't giving up and got the sun lotion out. My brother and father didn't.
The sun kept burning all afternoon and by 5.30 we started making our way back to London which involved a overcrowded buss and a trainride back to Victoria. We took a halfhour to relax and freshen up and got out again to try our luck finding somewhere to eat. We eventually ended up in your average pub having a few beer, some normal pub food and enjoying a bad soccer game. We asked if they could please show Sweden vs. Denmark but oh no, they wanted to show Estonia vs. Croatia. Very boring game. We went to bed early since we had had a very long day and was exhausted.

On the sunday we went up and checked out by 10 and went off to do some shopping in London. Unfortunately the stores hadn't opened so we ended up in a Nero's coffeshop and fortunately they had air conditioning so we sat there and just lamed out. Then we started walking up and down the streets trying to find something to buy and a reason to buy it here and not off the web. I got off easy with a new shirt. Then over to Liverpool station and train over to Stanstead airport again. After spending a good 30 minutes having to check in again (the web check in didn't work!) and getting passed security we finally found some shopping to do and ended up in some TGIF wannabe restaurant for a burger and then went to the gate at 5 pm which was the time we were suppose to report to gate for the flight at 5.30. Waited, and waited and at 5.30 they still didn't have a plane for us. This felt very familiar, but it eventually came and quick disembark and quick boarding and off we went. And that's when I realised... flying with Ryan Air is so very boring! I've flown all over the world and never has it been this boring. But we got back safe and sound another trip in the books.

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