We had a foggy but quick and traffic free run to Heathrow as it was early Saturday morning. We left our car at Maple Meet & Greet and were in the terminal well before 0700. For once we went in the right end for First Class check-in so this time we didn't have to walk the entire length of the terminus. Strangely for a priority service, there were only about 3 check-in desks manned and so we had a good 5+ mins wait. Even stranger was the sheer number of staff without masks, or exemption lanyards - it would seem that well over 25% of BA staff has "hidden disabilities".
We've been to the First Lounge enough times recently that it no longer feels special or exciting but it's a perfectly nice way to spend a couple of hours before the flight leaves. We started off with tea/coffee and pan au raisin and after a short while followed that with a full English breakfast and Buck's Fizz - I must confess to be very concerned about the amount of calories I'm going to consume this holiday. The Buck's Fizz wasn't very nice at all - probably too much Buck and not enough Fizz, so we then switched to Lanson Rose Champagne which was delicious and incredibly moreish.
Our flight was leaving from a B Gate so when Ian asked how long we should allow for getting there, he was recommended to leave now and use the little lounge there.
The flight was about 45 mins late taking off but we were comfortably settled and enjoying yet more Champagne - hic - so we didn't mind. We are more than happy with the seats we ended up with, 5E & 5F of the smaller front cabin, as it's quiet and far more intimate that the main cabin. An added bonus is being the front seats we get served first so there's no chance of my food choice will have gone. However, I made a point of expressing much confusion and annoyance to the Purser that despite what we were told yesterday over the phone, which was repeated at check-in, Seats 10A & 11B were fully functioning and OCCUPIED! Apparently there was a last minute change of aircraft but how that then alters pre-selected seating he had no idea, so I will contact BA when we're home so that I can try to understand. The only window seats he could offer us were on opposite sides of the plane and although I'm sure Ian would have been delighted, I declined. I did however accept his offer to go and sit in 7A whenever I wanted to and in fact after we'd eaten, Ian and I both squashed into the one seat and watched our progress as we flew over Albania and then down through Greece. The Purser commented to me later that he finds it sad that children no longer squabble over who will have the window seat as they're all too busy playing games or watching films on their devices.
After an hour or so dozing and yet more food (if a rock hard Cornish Pasty qualifies as food) and drink we had the most amazing landing ever at Jomo Kenyatta Airport courtesy of the feather light touch of our female pilot.