McGresty
as it happens
Because it was bad
It was the 14th of July. I had been awake since 0630 and just could not sleep when I tried to take a nap. A train had been boarded at 2010 to head into the center of London, grab the Piccadilly Line Tube (Metro) for Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. Arriving earlyish, due to London shutting down most public transport around midnight, except for night buses. My destination was Pamplona, to visit some friends. I used to write up the journies on my old blog and enjoyed them, but have not done that here. So why am I doing it now? Because it was BAD!
The night was to be a lot cooler than previous ones, so I thought it would be nice to sit outside the terminal and relax for a while, then later grab a small bite to eat. It had turned midnight when I went in and the whole stinking place had shut down until 0430 hours. What on earth are these British fools doing? I have traveled through other airports after midnight, no problem. Heathrow's Terminal 5 is the largest airport terminal in the whole world and you idiots shut departures down! Arrivals were coming and did so until I flew out at 0615, so why haven't you got the brains to fly people out.
I walked about a lot outside, to keep cool, inside it was not. Gatwick Airport has air conditioning, Heathrow just has some fans. At midnight, or just after, the whole thing closed down. All the places to get some food or drink were shut, the lights dimmed and the seating uncomfortable. I could not grab any shuteye, so just suffered it out. At 0430 they opened the security so I could go in to get my flight and did so. Entering Madrid Airport at 0940.
To reach Pamplona by train you have to a station named Atocha to get it. I bought my ticket and a lady at the entrance starting going on at me for some reason then let me through after I said nothing while standing there looking at her with disbelief. On the platform I was told by several people to take the next train so I did. Trouble is it did not go to Atocha but another one, where on a different platform was a train due which stopped at Atocha, so boarded it.
By now I was wide awake and even on the 3 plus hour ride could not sleep. I arrived in Pamplona about 1900 on the 25th of July. I contacted my friend Mike, who told me, after arriving, that the room he had found for my was cancelled by the owner while I was aboard the plane. Mike had a spare room in his apartment and I put my head on the pillow at 2100. I had been awake for almost two days mostly because of Heathrow Airport. I woke up 1000 the next morning.
This was the first time I have flown out of Heathrow and will never do it again. I've arrived there a couple of times and it was problematic. Other airports around London have been okay when used.
This was the single, most miserable, worst journey I have ever had going to anywhere.
The night was to be a lot cooler than previous ones, so I thought it would be nice to sit outside the terminal and relax for a while, then later grab a small bite to eat. It had turned midnight when I went in and the whole stinking place had shut down until 0430 hours. What on earth are these British fools doing? I have traveled through other airports after midnight, no problem. Heathrow's Terminal 5 is the largest airport terminal in the whole world and you idiots shut departures down! Arrivals were coming and did so until I flew out at 0615, so why haven't you got the brains to fly people out.
Heathrow Terminal 5
I walked about a lot outside, to keep cool, inside it was not. Gatwick Airport has air conditioning, Heathrow just has some fans. At midnight, or just after, the whole thing closed down. All the places to get some food or drink were shut, the lights dimmed and the seating uncomfortable. I could not grab any shuteye, so just suffered it out. At 0430 they opened the security so I could go in to get my flight and did so. Entering Madrid Airport at 0940.
To reach Pamplona by train you have to a station named Atocha to get it. I bought my ticket and a lady at the entrance starting going on at me for some reason then let me through after I said nothing while standing there looking at her with disbelief. On the platform I was told by several people to take the next train so I did. Trouble is it did not go to Atocha but another one, where on a different platform was a train due which stopped at Atocha, so boarded it.
By now I was wide awake and even on the 3 plus hour ride could not sleep. I arrived in Pamplona about 1900 on the 25th of July. I contacted my friend Mike, who told me, after arriving, that the room he had found for my was cancelled by the owner while I was aboard the plane. Mike had a spare room in his apartment and I put my head on the pillow at 2100. I had been awake for almost two days mostly because of Heathrow Airport. I woke up 1000 the next morning.
This was the first time I have flown out of Heathrow and will never do it again. I've arrived there a couple of times and it was problematic. Other airports around London have been okay when used.
This was the single, most miserable, worst journey I have ever had going to anywhere.
Jul 16, 2026
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