Setting out

My holiday started on a drizzly, blustery day that the calendar tells me is only a week away from the longest day of the year - but the weather has not caught up with this yet.

As you can see, I do not know how to pack lightly, but that does not matter on a cruise.

My flight to Lisbon goes at 7.40am. It therefore seemed sensible to stay at a Heathrow hotel the night before. By booking less than a week before, and accepting a secret location on lastminute.com, I managed to get a four star hotel, with parking for up to 15 days, for only £72. 

I was concerned when I pulled up and heard the sound of planes flying over, but once inside the hotel there was no sound except for the airconditioning.

It pays to be cheeky. I'd read that not all of the rooms are refurbished, so I asked for one that was. The receptionist chose to put me on the side of the hotel away from a noisy wedding, but there were no double rooms available so he upgraded me to a king-size bed.

I explored the hotel and found some interesting places. I think for a large, impersonal hotel, it could be a good place to stay. There were fancy restaurants and shops, with loads of glittering chandeliers, but I preferred the less formal spaces.

I found some quirky sculptures near the conference rooms. These are in water.

My wake-up call is booked for 4.15, ready to catch the 5am Hoppa bus to the terminal. That's about the time I manage to get to sleep when I'm having a bad night! Oops!