Just got back from a weeks holiday in Scotland yesterday but the big holiday is almost here. It will be 7 weeks this Friday.

As some of you on here already know, I'm off to the USA as part of my 30th year celebrations. I went to New York in 2006 and Houston and Dallas in 2008 so now it's California and Vegas time.

Here is the deal: http://www.archersdirect.co.uk/holiday/wes...-francisco

We've got all the key tours thrown in such as Alcatraz. We are also flying semi-posh with Virgin Atlantic who I highly rate and again a great deal: http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/the-v...onomy.html

Flew with Virgin to New York and they were better than British Airways who we flew to Texas with in my opinion.

Fly from Heathrow Friday 29th August and it looks like we will be in one of the Holiday Inn's at Heathrow on the Thursday night (awaiting confirmation). It will be hot out there and the coach goes close by Death Valley! I will take my Stetson I bought whilst in Dallas.

Can't wait! LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Also, using flight radar app, I discovered that our flight most often flies right over our house lol! It was almost an hour behind schedule today. Perhaps due to the new checks following new terrorist threats. I grabbed my camera and got a quick shot of it going over (Boeing 747):


 LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Have a fab holiday, we did over a month in California and Arizona including Vegas and Death Valley, Sanfrancisco and Alcatraz.
We also did the Hoover dam and Calico, Grand Canyon was spectacular although I suffered with sickness due to bumpy flight.
Death Valley was something else, 50 degree heat! Scorpions and rattle snakes and dust storms .
Yosemite was spectacular and spent 4 days there and so was a Lake Tahoe. Spent 4 days in a hotel in Timber cove with rooms straight onto the beach. fab Fab Fab.
Have great hols and enjoy.
Take a big fat wallet as prices have really gone up in last couple of years Jaguar x-type sport gone
Jaguar x-type 2.2d sport one of my best cars ever sadly gone
Freelander 2 GS auto 2008 most unreliable ever ! gladly gone
Freelander 2 GS manual 2013 only time will tell !

Cheers

What you said just adds to the anticipation lol! We 'only' have 2 weeks but we get to fit all the key places in so I'm very much looking forward to the adventure. I'm also glad we upgraded to premium economy.

Flew in economy with both Virgin and BA previously but we were offered a good deal this time and the flight time can reach 11.5 hours so the extra space and luxuries will be nice. Plus, on the off chance the plane is mostly empty, we can ask at the airport about a further upgrade to first class. Hmmm beds

Considering east coast tour next time which would include Boston, NYC and Washington. Autumn is the best time to see Boston  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Don't forget to fully charge your mobile and tablet/pad before you carry them on board the aircraft, or you'll have them confiscate now the American's have introduced their latest terror alert

Have a grand holiday

Thanks Extra checks for all passengers is fine if it means peace of mind. Damn terrorists always striving to find new ways of beating security  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Enjoy it I was due to fly back to Vegas yesterday but the night I held the flights with Virgin was the night we found out we were expecting our first baby.

It would have been no fun spending my 30th in part Central with no one to part with lol.

Also another Virgin fan here, we have there credit card whack all the spending on it and our air miles build at such a rate it normally allows us to book premium but use the miles to upgrade.

We are already planning on when to take little one on her first long haul, I'm going to be one of those annoying people with a baby in first class that I found so annoying lol

Just got confirmation that we are actually staying here at Heathrow the night before the flight: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-infor...row-hotel/

 LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

I'm getting the idea that you are getting all excited about your upcoming trip.  Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Oh yes  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

You'll get really excited when "Homeland" security keeps you "in-line" for over 2hrs processing your entry - home address Gallifrey will not register as an acceptable location. You'll most certainly be treated as a "suspect alien".

^^ worst bit of the journey! Take your ipod
It's a lottery though. Sometimes I get through in minutes, sometimes 2 hours. Hubbing in Canada can help or via Dublin I am told..... * GONE. GS TD4 Manual MY2013. Orkney Grey with privacy, cold and clearview packs, armrests (a must!) and a spoiler.
* 2011 4.4 TDV8 Full Fat. Amazing piece of kit.
* GONE.2012 RR Sport HSE SDV6 Orkney Grey. Rocket ship. 33mpg.
* Range Rover Classic '93 200Tdi Factory fit
* 1949 80" in family since 1975

Cheers for the input. My sister is a police officer and always carries her warrant card. When we went to NYC, the security guys liked that and started chatting to us more friendly so we might need to play that card again just to break the ice and tension of the checks  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

internet speed test
just done a speed test on the internet having just moved the main socket. We are now getting a download speed of 15.75mbps and an upload speed of 1.0.mbps and that is with the ordinary telephone line. Ex 2010 Freelander2 GS-e Diesel manual Silver owner

^ Wrong topic perhaps  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey