Distance to destination: 2502 miles

So we left at 7, with me panicking slightly as usual, but the roads were so clear we got there by 8.30 so had a long wait at Gatwick north terminal. Which is as nice as it sounds. Actually not too bad, and some decent shopping (but not a single water fountain - I suppose the sellers of overpriced mineral water are in on the act) C bought a netbook for £250, an impulse buy if ever there was one. Got on to scruffy BA 777 and left 10 minutes late in bright sunshine which I hope is repeated in Barbados. BA premium is rubbish compared to Virgin - almost not worth the extra cash, although having said that, standard economy does look pretty hellish. I think the difference is that BA treat you as an economy passenger with extra legroom, whereas Virgin treat you as a business passenger with a non-flat seat. I'm sure it's to do with the modernity of the cabin too, but that is certainly the impression I get from both Qantas and Virgin. BA needs to up its game. Have just finished Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (rubbish, entertaining) and gone for quick nose powder before duty free touting stewardesses get in the way. One of them, in particular, there would be no getting past. None. One has to go into the economy cabin (eurgh!) to go for a wee. You don't have to do that on Virgin...