Disaster strikes

Other than being very tired things were going so well. I must tell you though, trying to get out of the airport for a quick jaunt  into London is not as easy as it sounds.  Though that is not where the disaster struck, but I get ahead of myself there, so back to London.  We landed at 9:30 am and didn't leave until 9:00 that night.  The tram to take us to the terminal broke down and we had to walk 2 terminals to the main terminal building carrying (more like dragging) our carry-on.  By the time we had cleared customs and found the BA Club it was 10:30.  We had to clean up a bit as we were feeling like we had just slept in our clothes- oh we had!!!  The club is huge with different floors for the different status levels. We were in the main or Club level.  The showers were located in the Spa next to the Premium level and at first we thought we were going to have to pay to take a shower.  At this point we didn't care.  Turns out it was a free service you just had to register with the Spa.  Turns out it was a very nice shower in your own little bathroom.  Once we were showered and changed clothes we were ready to continue our adventure.  Little did we know that it would be a major undertaking and 90 minutes process to get out of the terminal and on the underground.  We had to go to information, register that we wanted to leave the airport, wait until someone came to take a group of us back into customs area so we could register to enter the country.  Then we had to find the luggage store by the exit doors that would store our luggage for up to one week. Luggage stored, tube ticket bought direction to the Picadilly Line Station and we were on our way.  Surprise it is raining and cold.  We had our umbrellas with us, but forgot our jackets carefully placed in the carry-on to wear in London.  Oh well, what's a little shiver among friends.  We got off at the Knightsbridge stop.  Went to Harrod's and wandered. I just love the food court/ emporium.  Incredible everything they carry and how beautifully it is all displayed.  Since it was yucky outside and and our time was now more limited, we decided to have our Tea at Harrod's. It was lovely and delicious.  The couple next to us we're on their honeymoon from Dallas.  After they left a family was seated on the other side of us and turns out they were from Dallas too.  The rest of the afternoon was uneventful, we headed back to Heathrow.  Security was fairly painless and once at the BA club we relaxed and had dinner......

 They don't post the gate for your flight (as I learned) until 40 minutes before the flight. On the ticket it says gate closes at Xx time.   I mistook that to be boarding time. Yes boys and girls, we missed the plane!  Of course it was the last plane for the night headed that way and of course the hotel room was non-refundable AND of course there was a change ticket charge.  Oh and now we have no place to sleep and our luggage is sitting somewhere in Heathrow.  Very lucky for us, or maybe she felt sorry for because I was so mad at myself I was crying, a very kind gate agent from BA. was able to book us on the first flight at 8:40, find our luggage and recheck it for us. Donna kept her cool and booked a room at the Sofitel attached to the airport so we would have no issue getting to the airport I the morning.  Like a MasterCard commercial, missed flight,  rebooking charge $180, prepaid nonrefundable night in Bologna $56, room at the Sofitel $545 -- saved trip priceless.  Also I was reminded of stupid things I and others have done on other trips that helped make this a funny story NOW.  Like taking 5 rolls of film pictures on your honeymoon only to realize there were no batteries in the camera so the shutter never opened and there was 5 rolls of blank pictures, or Rob, who fell asleep at the gate and slept completely through the boarding process only to wake up after the plane had taken off.