Normally a 12-hour flight would be something you’d want to forget, much less boast about on a blog. But not this one!

Bear in mind that we flew during the week of some of the worst weather to hit the UK in 18 years – we were fully prepared for a severe delay. However, when we checked in not only were we told that there was no delay but also that we’d been upgraded to World Traveller class. Apparently this meant that we would have more leg room – no small blessing on a 12-hour flight. So, chuffed, we pottered around Terminal 5, had a couple of drinks and toasted our good fortune.

Then, when we got to the boarding gate we were told that we’d been further upgraded, to Club Class. When we asked, the stewardess told us that we’d have our own beds! Well, that was it, we were off – giggling like school kids on the last day of term. We practically skipped to our seats/beds.

Made up.

At first we thought it was some elaborate surprise concocted by our parents, but it turned out it was just because the peasant’s seats were overbooked. It was the perfect start to our journey!

(Landing at Hong Kong was pretty special too – as you land it looks as though you’re about to touch-down in the South China Sea – now known as the Hudson River Manouvre – because the runway is on a promontory of reclaimed land which juts out into the water)