APAT Cork: Thursday, 22nd September 2011.
As is my wont, I’d elected to spend Thursday night near the airport at the local Holiday Inn as part of an end of your points hotel points run) so I’d motored down to Gatwick arriving around 7 o’clock. I had no hassles getting there, other than the usual Dartford Bridge congestion.
Mini-rant:
Once the bridge construction costs were paid off they were supposed to end the toll for crossing the bridge. Naturally, this didn’t happen but rather they rebranded the toll as a ‘Congestion Charge’. Now look, if the only thing causing the congestion is the collection of the ‘Congestion Charge’ you’re on to a sure fire winner.
When I come to power as a benevolent, but brutal, dictator, that’s getting close to the top of my ever increasing list of things to put on the chopping block…along with drivers who don’t indicate and use the wrong lane at roundabouts…but that’s another, much longer list thread that never seems to end so I can post it.
Regardless, parked the car, checked-in and, being an APATer, headed to the bar. A few Stellas under my belt (charged to the room for a few more hotel points) and all was well.
I retired relatively early for an uneventful evening followed by a nice sleep. Oh, and they upgraded my room (I think) to the next step up on the room rankings thanks to my status with the hotel chain. I could get used to this.
