In a case of rather bad planning, my return flight to Sydney wasn't scheduled to fly until 10pm tonight. However, my mum's flight was at midday. So my choice was either to spend the day in London and come out to the airport after my mum, or wait at the airport for some 10 hours before I could check in. I didn't much feel inclined to walking around London with all my baggage (I suppose I could have left it at the hotel) so I decided to come to the airport.
Having never been to Heathrow before (at least, not outside the departure lounge) I just assumed it was somewhat like Sydney airport which has plenty of shops and places to eat outside the departure area, so I figured "no worries, I'll have plenty of shops and stuff to look in to keep me occupied," but no such luck, apparently.
It seems the outside of Heathrow (at least Terminal 4 where my flight leaves from, I can't speak for the other terminals) is not much more than a couple of uncomfortable seats and the check-in line. So here I am, with some 7 hours left until I can even check-in, and nothing better to do than finish up my travel diary. There doesn't even seem to be any wireless internet to speak of...
Oh well, let's just see how I go until I get home. My laptop's battery is going to run out long before I can check-in, and I don't see any convenient power outlets that I can plug it into, so perhaps I'll have to head over the WHSmith and buy a book or something, but I can't imagine reading a book for 7 hours straight. At least I can break up the monotony by buyng a coffee every few hours... *sigh*
[Update: 5pm] Well, it's not so bad after all. I managed to find a nice restaurant and bar and so 3 pints of Heineken later, I'm feeling pretty good about my whole predicament :) I have just 2 hours or so until check-in time which I'm rather looking forward to (3 pints of beer or not, it's still rather boring sitting around an airport...). Though I rather feel that I'll be going to the bathroom an aweful lot while on the plane - especially considering I still have enough Sterling for two more beers and my dinner. Don't tell my mum :p