Was working out of another company base and doing longhaul sectors (3 hours!) so I pulled out the Aerad supplement and had a look.
Can't comment on the LHR procedures as I don't go there anymore but Toons last comment I agree with. In general go to the hold at your flight planned level, descend in the hold so you begin your approach within 30 minutes of your EAT and land.
Didn't read about the 3 or 7 minutes on heading. Is this peculiar to LHR or have I missed it? Anyone got a link to an AIP notice on this as I'd like to read up on it?
Had a VHF radio failure at CDG some years ago in IMC, was being vectored on base when comms were lost. Called up Stockholm Radio on HF and they said it would be a while until they got a phone patch through to CDG ATC. 60 seconds later we were talking to ATC who gave us some vectors, VHF comms came back so we spoke to the tower, she said "your number 3" but no clearance, comms went again so we just landed anyway! All good fun.