London Heathrow to Cape Town South Africa

[Guest Flying Red Fox]

I did this flight in December 2006/Jan2007 but i thought i would share it with you all.

 

PART ONE.

 

I had such a great time and took so many photos, around 650! Cool here is the flight report.

 

I got to LHR at 4pm and it was really wet and stormy outside! I checked in online so it was easier checking in my suitcase and i avoided all the big crowd so that was good.

 

Then i waited in a coffee shop with mum and dad until 6pm where i went through to security, there was a big queue there but not too bad, they made me take off my shoes routinely, good thing i had new pair of socks on!

 

I browsed round the duty free shops, then at 1920 when my flight was scheduled to start boarding, it was showing delayed for around 20 minutes, at first i just thought it was busy, then we started to go to the gate.

 

I saw a brand new A340-600 and was impressed at its sheer length, registered G-VWIN (apparently i just looked at Airliners Net and they say its the same one used in film Casino Royale) it looked really nice and they let me on first because i was chatting the lady up about planes. (probably why then because she wanted peace and quiet hehe Laughing

 

I gave out this sites address to some people who liked planes but it seems they never joined oh well.

 

Lady Luck was a brilliant plane, i was in seat 56K on the right side looking out of the window at the ground and winglet.

 

Being right above the rear cargo door i heard rolling and shuffling sounds of the containers being loaded, hope they got my suitcase in one!

 

Then before pushback the pilot said there was a technical problem with the toilets, that delayed us for half an hour, (answers dans question in the other topic) Confused

 

After they got it fixed we pushed back, i could see the wings bending up and down in the 80mph winds outside and could actually feel the plane being shuddered by it Shocked

 

We taxied to runway 27R and it was blowing so hard that while taking off we were slewing left and right all the time and i thought we might go off the runway! But we took off and it was really bumpy but cool, i think Blue would have fainted by now if she was on hehe Laughing

 

We climbed to FL310 and cruised over the meditteranean when we had lunch, yummy chicken pasta i had with pudding and roll, cream crackers and cheese, salad and yoghurt Cool

 

When the lights dimmed, i settled down for the night having a snooze when suddenly the lights went on in our area of the cabin and there was an annoucement saying please remain in our seats due to a medical emergency! Shocked

 

We were flying over Nigeria at the time and the diversion airport is Lagos, we were about that close to diverting there to take the sick pax to hospital but luckily enough she was not seriously ill enough to have the plane divert there.

 

She was an elderly pax with breathing problems, when i say iam glad we didnt divert i mean that maybe we should have because anything could have happened during the 3000 miles left to run but she was taken from our cabin to first class lounge, there was 3 doctors on the flight which was good.

 

I watched the moon set and soon it because light and i could see the enormously long wing and we had breakfast, a full english breakfast yummy Cool

 

There was 2 cabin crew members who were sick and couldnt be on our flight today, we were lucky leaving LHR because the flight was nearly cancelled Shocked

 

The remaining team did really well coping with 2 down and 1 pax ill, i was going to ask could i visit the cockpit after landing but in this situation i thought i better not ask because i knew the response in that situation was that i wouldnt be able to.

 

When we began our approach to Cape Town, our aircraft was given top priority landing which meant we could go straight in because of the medical emergency, i filmed the landing, they were using runway 19 so i didnt see table mountain going past but got good shots anyway.

 

It was a lovelly flight and when we parked at the gate we were told to wait in our seats for the paramedics to board the aircraft to take the sick pax off, i hope she will be ok i prayed for her, even though i didnt know her, i do feel sorry for her as she now has her holiday possible cut short by this.

 

I texted my friends to let them know so they didnt worry about the ambulance, which was curiously followed by a fire engine! Shocked I watched our bags being offloaded, theres that vibrating shuffling noise again hehe Laughing

 

When we offloaded, i went through security and got my bags and went to arrivals to see my friends again yay! Cool It was very hot here at 34c! They have a new house so we went there and it has a swimming pool in it! Cool

 

I will post the pics and videos later then do the return trip once i write it out first.

 

I found out that if we diverted to Lagos, we would have to spend 6 hours there till daytime as they dont allow flights in the middle of the night, strange i can see that valid at LHR, but in the middle of the desert? oh well i think Lady Luck was a good plane to fly on as it gave good luck in the events we had Cool

 

 

[Guest Flying Red Fox]

PART TWO - Photos.

 

Virgin Atlantic A340-600 G-VWIN waiting in the rain for me to board.

 

 

Very nice looking plane! Also starred in the Casino Royale movie, built in February 2006 and called Lady Luck.

 

 

Me on the plane at seat 56K ready for takeoff!

 

 

Daybreak over Africa.

 

 

Close up of right wing fuel jettison nozzle.

 

 

Approaching from the north, to runway 19.

 

 

After a 12 hour flight, its nice to cool off in my friends pool :lol:

 

 

Then eat fruit on the poolside!

 

 

Then back in the pool playing "Pool Duel"

 

 

Then making cakes.

 

 

Out for pizza.

 

 

Table Mountain pics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunset from the mountain.

 

 

 

 

 

Ok back to the flight home, you can view the rest on the link later. 8)

 

G-VEIL A340-600 Virgin Atlantic at the gate in Cape Town, this plane is famous too, being christened by the Queen, look on airliners net photos and one will explain why.

 

 

Moving Map

 

 

Flight Data

 

 

Sunrise over Spain.

 

 

Passing jet in the distance.

 

 

Descending over Isle of Wight, i can see Selsey and my house nearby! 8)

 

 

As its 8am the sun rising, i can see my house almost, look close for a white object on the coast, thats Bognor Butlins, my house is behind.

 

 

I spy London!

 

 

On approach to 27R, theres the Milleniun Dome!

 

 

And the London Eye!

 

 

Amazing flight that was! Parked next to G-VGAS at Terminal 3.

 

 

Off the plane, a view of my plane, G-VGAS and 744 G-VHOT.

 

 

Close up of G-VEIL cockpit.

 

 

Shots of LHR ground as i walk to the baggage reclaim.

 

 

 

 

I had such a great time, i didnt want it to end! but i must now save up for my next flight, the videos will be in the next post i make. 8)

 

 

[Guest Flying Red Fox]

PART THREE - round up and thoughts of the trip.

 

Its hard saying goodbye to my friends, we get through a tissue box full of hankies before i jet away. Crying or Very sad

 

My flight is VS604 back to LHR at 22:45, i went to check in at 19:30 and then chatted to my friends about the next visit which will be this ciming December and chatted about our great 2 weeks together. Cool

 

I went through security at 20:30 and the queue and checks are far less tight here which is cool, i saw lots of planes lined up as the sun set. BA 747-400, SAA 747-400, they will get there before i do lol Laughing

 

I saw my plane at stand A3 Virgin A340-600 G-VEIL, built April 2004, slightly older but still good and was christened by the Queen Cool

 

I was one of the first to board again hehe dont know how i do that, well i do, its just my charm and good nature.

 

I was in seat 58K and it was not long before i was on my way, we took off right on schedule and had dinner at midnight UK time. It was Chinese chicken, Feta Cheese salad, chocolate sponge and custard and roll and butter with cheese crackers yummy!

 

The flight back seems to be quicker, this one i watched some movies and the moving map and listened to my cd player. I had a 4 hour sleep and everything went smoothly this time. Very Happy

 

The sun was rising over Spain and when it got lighter, i was amazed at how busy the airpace was, we were at FL380 and could see aircraft criss crossing the skies beneathe us, i try to get shots but they are so fast!

 

This Thomas Cook (not confirmed but it was blue and a 757) Passed from right to left under us at 2000ft below and looked real close, i wish i got it on camera but was too slow oh well. Confused

 

As we were descending over the English Channel, i saw Selsey come into view and saw where i live which was cool, we went over to London and i saw landmarks such as the Millenium Dome, London Eye pass below me as we turned onto the runway 27R approach.

 

It was a lovelly sunny winters morning for flying and i enjoyed it, we landed at 8:30am and taxied round the apron to terminal 3 and parked. It wasnt long before i got off and i took pics of the plane and lots around it before waiting an hour to collect my luggage as it was the ladt to be unloaded lol Cool

 

Then i went to arrivals and met mum and dad and went home for a rest, i had a nice time and when i get home it always feels strange because its like a different world or just waking from a lovelly dream. But it was real and iam going again soon yippee! Cool

 

Hope you all liked it, here is the final link to all photos and videos.

 

http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b231/ ... ?start=all

 

Thata all folks till my next trip! Very Happy

 

 

[Guest Flying Red Fox]

PART Four - videos that i did, in correct order.

 

Loading the A340.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evnF8lHdwdc]YouTube - Cape Town January 2007 - Loading the A340[/ame]

 

Taking off from Heathrow in the dark with strong crosswind!

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHeye4OqhyM]YouTube - Taking off from Heathrow[/ame]

 

Landing at Cape Town.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDYrjL2Irpw]YouTube - Landing at Cape Town[/ame]

 

Table Mountain 1.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ_Cgwx7Jb0]YouTube - Table Mountain[/ame]

 

Table Mountain 2.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf9-RAm9PKQ]YouTube - Table Mountain - looking northwards[/ame]

 

Table Mountain 3.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD8Qd4Q2iis]YouTube - Table Mountain panaround[/ame]

 

Table Mountain at sunset 1.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn9797Qqga0]YouTube - Clouds Flowing on Table Mountain[/ame]

 

Table Mountain sunset 2.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrAkrbDT0pA]YouTube - Table Mountain Sunset[/ame]

 

Snake Show.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKXK9QlYcbU]YouTube - Cape Town January 2007 -Snake Show[/ame]

 

Cute Parrot.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZuX4RgO7wk]YouTube - Cape Town January 2007 - African grey Parrot[/ame]

 

Taking off from Cape Town.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xMYbREjdwU]YouTube - Taking off from Cape Town[/ame]

 

Landing at Heathrow.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ_ObxRYQYY]YouTube - Landing at Heathrow[/ame]

 

Hope you enjoyed it all. 8)

 

 

[Guest David C]

Thats some trip report that one .. Real Oscar material . Well done , I really enjoyed it . Many thanks for sharing . It must have taken you a LOOONG time to compose it all .

 

Dave C

 

 

[Guest g_i_jack029]

WOW!!!!! GREAT trip report!!!!!! =D>

 

looks like you had ALOT of fun!!!

 

 

[Guest Darren Masters]

Another one of those great trip reports! Thanks for the effort composing it and posting it on here. Well done! Look forward to more of your reports :D

 

 

[Strawberry Muppet]

A [smilie=wosschilder43.gif] trip report with some excellent photos. I enjoyed it too. Hope you are collecting those all important Virgin Flying Club miles!