West Coast USA – Day 1

It was an early start (for Aireys) with the taxi arriving 6:15, about 10 mins after Charlie got out of his pit, and about 6 hours after I packed.

Got to Manchester T3 without any issues thankfully, ditched the bags, got body-scanned and made our way the the Escape Lounge (a little surprise treat from me) for decent WiFi and complementary food & drink. A very pleasant 2 1/2 hours watching two people play Pokemon, – something I’ve been warned will be a theme!

Flight was bang on time and a quick Airbus A319 hop to Heathrow T3, followed by a transfer to T5 where “shop mooching” was completed before going to the Club Aspire Lounge for more chill out. We had 3 1/2 hours to kill, so it was worth it, although food, environment and service weren’t a patch on Manchester.

Needless to say the gate was a good half mile from the lounge, so there was a bit of mild panic hearing final boarding announcements, but thankfully everyone else was in the same boat so we just ended up joining a long boarding queue at the gate.

Pushback on our BA 747-400 was about 5 minutes behind but that was easily made up in the flight.

That moment 6 hours in, when you realise you’ve over 4 more to go – ugh! Otherwise, the flight was relatively uneventful apart from suddenly being accosted by the young lady sat directly behind me, who began apologising profusely for moving my chair backrest when she got up or moved.

Through a fog of 9 vodka shots and two bottles of wine, (proudly announced by her 8 yr old daughter), she offered to make it up to me, because she “gives massages” in her home town of Leeds, and either I or Jane were welcome to a “freebie” right there on the aircraft. Tempting as it was, we both gracefully declined.

Phoenix finally turned up under the starboard wing and we landed at 5:31pm local (1:31am UK), to be greeted by 37 degree Celsius heat, giant cacti, and a very laid back airport.

Got through airport without any hassle, and then time for the “big one”, the bit that could make or break the hols – the car hire pickup. Pleased to say that went very well & Charlie now thinks he’s some sort of “Gangsta VIP” (pics to follow).

A half hour drive north to Scottsdale and we checked in to the Gainey Suites Hotel. Told where to park to gain shortest bag haul to room, and made our way to the room, having dodged the dog crap in the entrance corridor!

This shouldn’t be viewed as a poor reflection on the hotel (with Jane being somewhat of an expert, I was advised it was “fresh”) but what sort of dog owner would allow that to happen & not clean it up, especially given there can’t be that many dogs in the hotel? Beyond belief!

It’s a nice courtyard/pool-view suite, with a separate bedroom & ensuite, so Charlie gets the put-up in the lounge diner.

As I started to write this, it’s 2:51am local & 31deg C, with forecast highs of 43. It’s still pitch black with a glorious “dark sky” starry night, and Jane and Charlie still zonked out.

I suspect this will be an early breakfast, before we pack the car, get organised with luggage, stock up on water, snacks and the like and then begin our short, scenic drive north, up to the red rocks of Sedona!

Bye for now!