I had some time to think today on my coach trip to Heathrow. Specifically, three hours on a coach and four hours at the airport. And if you thought that wasn’t going to turn into a blog post… you don’t know me at all.
👑 Heathrow Dad Energy: Four Hours Early, No Regrets
I’ve fully turned into my dad – arriving FOUR HOURS early, marching to the gate like I built the terminal myself, and then sitting there two hours before boarding with a flat white and no regrets.
I’m usually a three-hours-early kinda gal – straight to the gate, no faff, no distractions.
Could never travel with the chaotic person who sprints up last minute while everyone else is buckled in.
Like… where does your hand luggage even go? Doesn’t it stress you out?? The overhead lockers are full, the crew are giving you that “do you want to skycheck your bag?” look and I’m sorry but – no Ma’am. I do not.
Although… I say that like I haven’t almost been that person.
✈️ Almost Missing a Flight in Dior: A Cautionary Tale
Picture this: I’d just booked myself into business class – a treat for finishing a busy 3 months at work, feeling like an icon.
Transitting through Dubai on my way to South Africa. I was floating through Duty Free like I had all the time in the world, casually buying a pink hand luggage case and some gorgeous Dior sneakers. Living my best Chief Stew life.
What I didn’t do was factor in the time zone change from where I’d just come from.
I just barely heard “this is the final call for flight to Johannesburg” – like a distant echo of doom.
And friend, when I tell you I sprinted.
Dior bag swinging, core engaged, delusion evaporating. I was whisper-screaming, “Not today sir. I have paid a bomb for this ticket and I will be boarding.”
The fear. The betrayal. The immediate loss of all business class composure.
Lesson learned: never assume you’re above chaos. Especially not in Dubai International at Gate 97 with 11 minutes to spare and your entire personality in your hand luggage.
Anyway, back to today. Let’s begin.
🚌 Coach Life: Budget Queen Era
Got The People’s Limo. Again.
But still, the National Express Coach to Heathrow is honestly my favourite way to get to the airport. Cheap, comfy-ish, and it drops me right at Terminal 5 with zero faff. Love it.
☀️ England in the Sun = Instant Forgiveness
England is beautiful when it’s sunny.
Honestly, when the sun’s out and the countryside is doing her thing, it almost makes up for the fact that I’m about to be on a plane for 11 hours with recycled air and some man aggressively claiming both armrests like he paid extra for them. I’m basically folded into myself like a human pretzel.
One of my goals in life is to be able to always fly Business Class, without needing to look at the price. Last year, for the first time EVER, as a treat after a busy rotation at work, I upgraded myself to business class to fly home – and not to be dramatic, but it was the best day of my life.
Would I like to do it again today?
Absolutely.
Am I about to drop £1,000 on legroom and a glass of fizz?
Absolutely not.
📵 Public Transport Crimes That Deserve Jail Time
It should be illegal to speak on the phone on public transport.
Straight to jail.
Shoutout to anyone who works with the general public.
Honestly, you deserve a crown and probably a pay rise. Just witnessed a grown adult try to casually drop their half-empty can of whatever it was onto the empty SEAT next to me as they got off the bus.
Not a bin.
Me.
I obviously picked it up and handed it straight back to them like a Victorian ghost nanny. Sir, no.
🍫 White Chocolate Bunny Stockpiling: Priorities Set
Made a pit stop at Asda before I boarded.
White chocolate Malteser bunnies were on offer, and you already know I stocked up. Easter chocolate is elite – that specific thickness, the shape, the texture.
Same goes for cheddar: thin slices only.
And apples? Always tastes better when cut up. I don’t make the rules.
👖 Tall Girl Delusion: Gymshark Flares Edition
Apparently I think I’m taller than I am.
Ordered the “tall” length Gymshark flared pants, thinking I was giving 5’10 energy. I’m 5’8 on a confident day.
Put them on and instantly knew I had overestimated the situation – they’re dragging like a Victorian gown.
For the record, the regular length ones aren’t quite ankle swingers, but they could do with a little more floor-grazing drama.
These tall ones? Acceptable only with my platform sneakers and a side of delusion. I had to have a quiet word with myself.
🛫 Terminal 5 Appreciation Post
Airport thoughts, because I’m now at Terminal 5.
Let’s start with the fact that I love Terminal 5. It’s so easy to check in. The vibes are good, and it’s nice and spacious.
Security was a breeze – except for the woman in front of me who tried to walk through the metal detector with her earphones still in.
She got told to take them out, so she took one out and tried again like that was going to fly. Obviously got sent back again.
Girl.
It’s not a riddle.
Other than that, a smooth experience from start to finish.
🍴 Dinner Decisions: Health Plans vs Nacho Reality
I went to Giraffe for dinner because the teriyaki salmon rice bowl and side of green veggies looked soooo good and I had this moment of “yes health, yes greens, I’m turning my life around.”
Obviously I ended up ordering chicken nachos instead. And THEN they had the audacity to charge me £4 for the chicken that I had to squint to see.
Genuinely thought: are you having my pants down?
🍬 Milkybar Button Inflation: Immediate No
Then popped into WHSmith and saw that a (VERY small) share bag (not a share bag at ALL) of Milkybar Buttons was £5.
Five. Pounds.
For a bag I could inhale in one breath. Immediate no.
📱 Travel MVP: TripIt App Obsession
On the plus side: I’m obsessed with the TripIt app.
It told me my gate number a full hour before the boards did – so now I’m sitting at the gate like a smug little airport gremlin, enjoying the peace.
Honestly, 10/10 travel app, highly recommend.
💬 Final Thought: Every Girl Needs a Coach Trip Diary
Anyway, that’s today’s episode of Georgia’s Coach (and Airport) Musings.
Every girlie should write down their chaotic travel thoughts at least once. It’s cathartic.
It’s fun. And if nothing else, it’s proof you survived public transport.
Love from Terminal 5 x
If you liked this one, you might also love:
💸 No One Told Me This About Money – So I’m Telling You — because if you’re going to impulse-buy Milkybar Buttons for £5, at least have an investing plan.
🎀 Musings from a Mid-30s Undies Crisis: Dead Mice, Disco Pants & Growing Up (Kinda) — not travel-related, but deeply therapeutic.
