flashman181

All good things end eventually and so CMBM draws to a close with a final morning in Johburg at Mondior before catching the Qantas Dreamliner home in Premium Economy . We allowed 4 hrs in Sydney for transfer from international to domestic as we know from past experience what a nightmare it can be . Good nights sleep but still a long day for sure and then decision will be made on whether to keep going to Nambour when we hit Brisbane around 8 pm on Thursday night . Pretty sure we will keep going ….

Down for a final big breakfast . The Mondior has been great with one glaring issue for a large complex near the airport for passengers – the in room wifi is crap ! Biggest concern this morning though is another 36 hrs limping around with this ankle. It hurts to put weight in at present which is going to make it tricky. Have it strapped up,to help with that but then that increases the swelling ! We have the late checkout at 1 pm then leave for airport at 2 pm expectingQantas to be open around 230 pm for a 540 pm flight. We have to get through passport control of course but actually hoping to spend an hour or two in Qantas aligned Aspire lounge. Sat around airports long enough in last week with the GU. Business upgrade unsuccessful but no big deal, PE is a good product and don’t have to listen to Arabic PA announcements as well anymore 😏

The breakfast was very filling which will keep,us going until mid afternoon . Packing pretty simple now as using two bags each as our smaller safari bag becomes dirty clothes bag which makes it easy for CLP, to do my washing when we get home. I am thoughtful like that . A final walk/limp around the complex and out into sunshine on this glorious final morning . Walked across to the top level D’Oreal Grande hotel here – Mondior is the second level – and what a stunning place

We explained we were staying at the Mondior but is it ok to leave our Merc out the front with the other 27 ? Of course Sir feel free to walk around and see what you could afford if you had worked until 65 . First smart ass have met in 3 weeks 😏 We even fronted the poolside cafe and asked if we could have a coffee even though with the dregs at Mondior. Of course . Got a menu and bugger me they have Cortado and only took 50,000 klms air travel to find one ! Was about to order some scones or similar when same helpful lady came up and said “ The coffees are free but you will have to pay for any food . Can we wash your Merc while you wait Sir “ “ Sweetheart, if you can find it go for it and a polish wouldn’t hurt . Number plate is FMS – 069” We didn’t order any food 😂

A rather salubrious ending to a rather salubrious holiday . We have our luggage all now so even if screwed by Qantas tonight can send our luggage to Flashman Inc now at their convenience.

Following on from a very lucky morning we headed out a bit early and bugger me Qantas check in was open 4 hrs before flight. Checked in with Smiley Face 1 and then headed to dreaded Passport Control. Another good experience and we were lounge adjacent by 230 pm with almost 2.5 hrs to “boarding at this stage” . It’s called the Aspire Lounge and can enter as a QC member. I asked Smiley Face 2 on entry “ Was this the job you always Aspired to?” Blank look. Lounge , nice and quiet with a bar and good food .

Qantas is a double act here with QF 63 arriving around 4pm and then becoming QF 64 and leaving 540 pm. Pretty quick turn around for moi and why QF 64 is often a bit late leaving. Using the excellent Flight Radar app it seems QF 63 is actually a little ahead of schedule 🤞

Ah no, 10 mins late but fun watching it do 3 laps. Wisely we didn’t hook in too much at club as still a long 24 hrs ahead and always well looked after on Qantas . The inefficiency at this airport never ceases to amaze. Approaching Gate 18 we saw people lined up with no signage except Qantas in the distance . Seems like a bag check before entering the next waiting area 😏 About 60 people lined up and one person at a desk. As we got closer saw an Economy Sign . Where is BC or PE? No sign but a man standing at an empty desk. CLP suggested we try it and asked about PE and he said ok and checked bag . We then walked into a small waiting area for about 40 people with 20 sitting down. Lady walked up and said this is only for wheelchair passengers. Well you have a lot then dont you 🤔 Maybe a sign would help Numbnuts 🤦🏻‍♂️ Nope , just put up a barrier rope and people might work out at least where not to sit ! No board or nothing to see any updates , not that they update. Will check my 17 apps but my left nut and 60 Rand says we ain’t leaving at 1740 😏 oh that’s right, no wifi here 🤦🏻‍♂️ At least the crew is here and a female pilot. Could be in trouble if she has to reverse park.

Again we experience the complete inefficiencies of OR Tambo for boarding as well. No fucking clue. They start to board business but in fact just move them to another holding pen. Everyone else stands up and moves forward of course. We stand there for at least 30 mins and not a word. Then BC start moving and a lone female comes to the throng and says something inaudible so everyone starts moving forward . Anyway we got on and found our seats . The plane is totally full so await the joys of disembarking. We left almost an hour late and maybe arrive 45 mins late at this stage which should be ok. Just not sure can deal with the ignorant masses one more time . As always happens am totally over air travel. Until the next time .😏

Qantas PE has lost a little sparkle. Still good but not as great as remember. Anyway it was a tough flight after last 36 hrs . Again the plane is full of many morons including the one across aisle who had feet up, on phone and no seatbelt as heading down runway for takeoff 🤦🏻‍♂️

We landed about 35 mins late and passport and immigration ok but that domestic transfer at Sydney is a pain in the ass. We did get on a plane leaving an hour earlier . Yay . It just got delayed 30 mins at least 😂 More time in Qantas Club which is rather crowded

Anyhoo that is enough from this trip folks . Time for some rest

And so it begins – the possible 48 hours from Hell tour. Pretty good nights sleep had us as prepared as best could be for what lies ahead. A quick trip to Boo Lingerie first for a last French treat before hitting the road around 9 am for drive to Avignon TGV for the train to Lyon airport . Train leaves at 10:39 am for hour trip and then flight is scheduled for 4 pm to Dubai so we have left plenty of time if everything runs smoothly.

When Emirates bought forward our first flight some months ago we were left with a pesky 8 hr layover starting at midnight in the Dubai Airport. Lounge access is expensive and really not going to hook in between midnight and 7 am so decided to opt for the 7-12 hr option at Dubai International at airport in what is know as the “High End Hooker Special “. Be amazed if get any sleep but at least a break from GU for a few hours. Once again not a lot of thought went into seats on flight as again at end of plane so last off, not that there is any rush at either end.

Arrived at Avignon TGV with plenty time to spare so got sucked into a coffee. We then of course had to pay 1 Euro to use the toilet ! Part 1 of the 48 hrs from Hell was always going to be the easiest . They get progressively worse and longer as we go although suspect the 3rd leg of 8.5 hrs Dubai to Johburg could be the worse.

TGV run an efficient operation and so train arrived in plenty of time. Too early for Emirates to be open of course. We stood around waiting until 12:55 ( 3 hrs before flight) and then checked in easily and security ok so should be able to make good use of some paid lounge access. There are two lounges and they charge 33 Euro each for access. Ok for 2-3 hrs. Rocked up to first one and told it was only for travellers to European countries , you need to go to the one upstairs just after immigration. Ok that’s cool . Um , Immigration is closed and still is an hour later at 2 pm. We need Gate C but still can’t enter passport control. I smell another South African like pain in the ass when they open.

We found a perfectly nice salad for lunch and now just sitting around waiting for passport control. Once we go there we are sitting in gate lounge waiting again. Overall a poor experience at Lyon airport with your typical French inefficiency .

The flight was good as plane only half full. Of course not finished with French assholes just yet . A French woman around 50 was rather rude in waiting area with regard seating and fuck me if she wasn’t in front of us in plane. She had 3 seats to herself. She yabbered to attendant for 5 mins . She shifted to middle seat in front of me and reclined for whole flight including meals. She shifted back to window a couple of hours out and left both seats reclined. No fucking idea. Same idiot who has to be told on landing to put seats back and window shade up. We were happy when first boarded though 😏

Met on arrival by hotel staff and a fair hike to hotel but all worked well. Very nice room indeed

Not a great nights sleep as never would be for me but a good idea. Plane delayed 30 mins this morning at present to 10:25 , the bigger issue there is arriving in Johburg later after 5 pm. It’s an A 380 again and suspect this will be the worse flight of them all . Time will tell . At least didn’t have to pass through Security again . Not much option for food so opted for Maccas as almost a safe bet …. If u like Chicken sausage of course. Then we start the wait at Gate 31 , at least they have the LILO like chairs to sit in for a couple of hours

So we had the prettiest A 380 certainly but one of the slowest sadly . The exit row seats this time were in better position or so as thought. The real sweet deal was plane only half full so while we looked like we might get away just the 30 mins late we actually sat on the tarmac for another 30 mins and then pushed back and waited another 30 mins while 45 planes took off in front of us ! Basically 90 mins late . We had always toyed with idea of 20 USD$ each for a small bottle of Moët Chandon and this seems perfect time to try as had great crew. Asked the male attendant and he said sure will put in fridge now . 90 mins later they were cool at least 😏 And warm peanuts as well and he put second bottle on ice 👍🏻 The best part of deal though was we got it 15 minutes after take off like in business class rather than with dinner so am sure the 12 other passengers in our section wondered what was going on. We then kept the flutes for other drinks . Then they bought out a plastic cup of wine as well #IBF . Pickled and 6 hrs to go.

So after an excellent meal as usual with room to spread out the fly in the ointment appeared. No toilets nearby but was a galley and man those Sheilas in brown can yap. Any chance of sleep out the door with yapping and no dimming of cabin as middle of day. Oh well. The end result though was this flight was good and not the trauma expected even though 8 hrs is still 8 hrs of course .

Arrived an hour late and got through passport ok but bags and shuttle had us arriving at Mondior again around 7 pm. Another nice room with breakfast and late check out. Duck down the bar and had a drink and a burger but officially shagged now so time for bed.

And ankle is really stuffed for some reason. Maybe all the flights but really need to get home and rest it for a few days . 9 months after surgery this is not good but one is reminded of the 6 month CT report of course 😢

Glorious night last night looking out our window on the second floor . We had the windows open to let some breeze in and as I leant out did feel a slight pressure on my back and two hands but was probably imagining it ….

Last full day in Frogland which is sad of course .One always gets to a point where one is happy to head home and probably at that point but there have been so many new and wonderful memories it’s hard not to want more. And of course it also means we are approaching the 48 hrs from Hell Tour. We do the old Planes, Trains and Automobiles switcheroo and at this stage all trains and planes we need are running except when they stop at stations and airports . 24 hrs is a long time in travel, just ask Jack Bauer

It was dark when we arose this morning – well ok darker than usual – at 630 am. Had the sun also joined the strike🤔 Ah no, it’s start of daylight saving . Probably better today than tomorrow which may have really thrown us . Todays plan then is casual . Head out mid morning to Ill da Sook for a last French coffee and a little wander. Apparently there is an Antique Market on so just hope CLP isn’t tempted by a good offer for me .

Pleasant day with some cloud cover and a little chill. The place was a jumping with markets up and down the streets and canals. Much like yesterday some tempting food but not a lot else to tempt this LBD. We had a coffee but again the magic has passed

Such a nice day for a walk so we kept looking at more markets . Ok ya got me , we were lost 😏

Headed back home for some lunch with some more baguettes that we had picked up this morning with fresh ham and cheese. Yummo 🥖🇫🇷

Quiet afternoon with some rather changeable weather . We did majority of packing so an easy morning tomorrow even though it is a relaxed morning with a drive to Avignon TGV planned at 9 am. Plenty of time to hit our fave boo lingerie one last time 🥖

I see the sun has gone . Not sure if cloudy or it isn’t 5 pm yet but hell why would you risk it and not start drinking now 🤦🏻‍♂️ A Spritzer and two bottles of wine is the norm so why change now . Later dudes , it’s been a blast .

And so the weekend is here and with it comes markets mayhem and marauding madames 😏 Mind you we did pretty well in the fresh food caper last night for dinner so mostly a look see on a glorious morning

We were able to fill tank with petrol yesterday so our options are more varied again today . A stroll to the markets first up and then drive out of town to avoid the crowds until about 3 pm maybe. Supposed to be chance of some rain tomorrow but should be a good day today . Of course now we have to watch closely any further issues with trains for Monday and then the usual flight monitoring ensues. If the train doesn’t get us to airport on time on Monday then the whole ball of string unravels. Let’s panic about that tomorrow Viva La France 🇫🇷

Markets had an impressive array of food including some huge Paellas. Unfortunately no Patellas which would be handy with now my knee feels at present

Then it was time to head towards Mont Ventoux via Sault. Not sure if we can get to top of Mont but will give it an Aussie crack. There was snow there last week . Sault is another classic village to walk around and we sat down for usual cafe. More traditional coffees last couple of days so am kinda missing my cream fix 😢

As we headed off up the mountain we came across my fave group of assholes – cyclists by the dozen. Take an arrogant group of people and then make them French ! Signs said to stop about 5 klm from top which suited us as there was a rather picturesque chalet there for a beer and a bite . Or several bites as it turned out

Well that hit the spot and as often happens the trip down was a lot quicker . Back in Pleased da Funtown by 130 pm for a relaxing afternoon. Mind you a relaxing day is also planned for tomorrow so may have to spice things up at some stage

It doesn’t get more exciting then a walk to a supermarket eh. We headed off under a warm Tuscan Sun which is odd because we are not in Italy. We had a couple of donkeys on standby in case we needed more alcohol. At the end of the day a very small shop .

It’s now 5 pm so that is drinkies time and I need to concentrate for that so will bid au revoir as sadly our French Soujourn nears an end . And we know what comes after that …….

After being mobbed on the streets early mornings I decided time to blend in a bit better so went beret hunting yesterday in shops , so basically between 10-12am or 3-5pm 😏. Choices were limited so improvised but it didn’t fool anyone, not sure why 🤔

Funtown of course has better shops because the frogs are jumping with joy and before too long found the perfect one. They also sold canes so winner winner poulet dinner. Todays mission was “Don’t forget the Baguette” and make it deux. I hobbled off and blended in well especially now that my sun bleached complexion from Africa had returned more to simply old man. May have to reconsider the smoking though, Frogs suddenly seem tall to me

Suitably sated after usual solid breakfast it was time for todays plan – Av a go in Avignon 🇫🇷. Diesel fuel still a bit of an issue so will visit another town today and see what the weekend brings . I knew we were having a break from the sweet stuff today at our Boo da Lingerie but couldn’t resist picking up a French Tart this morning to take on our trip

Avignon is a much bigger city of course with a wall around and a half finished bridge amongst its highlights .Also of course the Palace of the Popes . Did the tour but was expecting a more ornate place than rather one large empty room after another, one with a few resting Popes whom I assumed were dead

JL stayed behind on crowd control and did a great job

Must be time for the first coffee of today , pay attention there will be a quiz. It was called The French Coffee cafe so what could go wrong. Paper cups were a concern as was trucks driving past rather close. It was ok but there has been a decline in form of late . No decline in amount of cream mind you 😏

Time then to roam the streets and laneways of Avignon. Once again not many shops of interest but certainly a pleasant stroll . It was time to double up on baguettes for lunch but this time with filling .

Now for the famous half finished bridge . Do we want to do the tour ? Ah no, a couple of pics will suffice thanks

We have seen a great mix of villages/ towns so far this trip and the next couple of days will be a bit quieter . After all there are markets in Pleased da Funtown tomorrow . This could lead to another change in name of town I fear . Meanwhile it’s farewell from Avignon

On way home did a slight detour to Carpentras as only about 10 minutes from Funtown. Another stroll, another coffee, and the standard mix of dry fountains, cathedrals , bell towers and smokers. And a coffee with no cream !

Returning home mid afternoon left us some to chill and then to try a local restaurant for an afternoon beer in the sun. Easy walk, at least to get there 😏 A lovely end to another great day spent with family seeing new sights . And drinking alcohol 🕺🏻🇫🇷

Going to be hard to beat , or even match , the weather from yesterday . After the village pillage yesterday we are moving up in the world and just may down a town . St Remy is in crosshairs but first the croissant run this morning. Or limp maybe as ankle is a bit dicky at present . Swells up during day and can’t really get comfortable at night but still sleep pretty well actually. Just needs to be elevated more during the day but a bit hard with all this amazing scenery to see and tasting stations to breast . Sitting at the cafe with feet on table and beer in hand may give the game away you are an Aussie and I prefer to sneak up on Frogs and see their joy up close when they realise who they are in the presence of. We may have to give the tasting away for a bit because we already have enough wine for rest of week really and ain’t taking any back on the 48 Hours from Hell tour approaching on Monday . Afternoon drinkies are a good opportunity but hard to drink the wine lying down while Ma and Pa plot the next day 😏 And yes we had Espresso Martinins

A cloudy start to day on morning walk but didn’t stop hijinks happening and a bakery buy befitting big boys completed.

We headed off under cloudy skies towards Les Baux-de-Provence via St Remy . It’s a fortification high on a hill but first we walk through a lovely village with the classic cobblestone paths. Time for todays version of coffee though at a lovely outdoor cafe .

The coffees are not getting better but price is increasing as we get more salubrious surroundings. Plenty of shops open to browse as we meander up the lanes. We came across a GQ shoot at the top which was interesting to see

Then onto the Trebuchets and fortifications. Very impressive with of course the obligatory stunning mountain background

It was rather rough ground so I sat out the next lookout and let Larry, Moe and Curly head off without me. They were distraught but coped 😏

A leisurely walk back to car park had us ready to hit St Remy for lunch and a shop. One has to plan shopping in France as they close shops from midday to 2-3 pm for lunch. Again a beautiful town to wander aimlessly through.

But we did have an aim and that was to have a celebratory birthday lunch. Now 3 of us had birthdays in last 2 months so pick a number . We settled on Bistrot de Apilles and settled on the set 4 course lunch which was great value. Really surprised at the quality and size of each serving . Rinsed down with a couple of sherberts of course

Officially full as a goog it was time to waddle back to car and head home after another wonderful day of seeing different sights in France .

The clouds broke in afternoon to another beautiful afternoon so we went out for a short walk for some supplies and then settled in for night .

Good nights sleep had us ready to hit the ground running but we decided to walk as still pitch black at 6 am 😏 And rather cool. It’s a lovely village to walk around and our mission this morning was to find some croissants for breakfast. Let’s follow the suns .Easy Peasy but why stop at croissants 🕺🏻

Ah, so we were supposed to bring them back and not eat them ourselves . Damn now we have to go back

Looks like another pleasant day for a village pillage or two. The day plans are quiet flexible depending on weather but at present nothing impactful on horizon except maybe train strikes.😏 Night plans are locked in 🍷

Our first village was a cracker called Fontaine de Vaucluse. A beautiful river ran through it and surrounded by amazing mountains . Great way to spend an hour waiting for a cafe to open . Look, cappuccino is no way to judge a country for coffee but despite appearances they have been perfectly fine .

Next up was Gordes on the mountain side but as luck would have it we passed by an impressive looking cave so only polite to drop in and enrich someone’s day . Classic example of a top product with a couple of gooses left to run it . We only bought two, suffer in your shorts ladies . And they were big shorts trust me

Before Gordes the clan decided to visit Village da Boring but I chose to pass as see enough ruins in the morning mirror so ain’t paying 6 Euro to see more. I was mobbed by tourists though as I waited

Now for Gordes on what was turning out to be a simply glorious day . We strolled around the town square and liked the look of Pete da Bastard for lunch and a beer on a warm day . Don’t mind a beer on a cold day mind you .

Then we continued on our discovery tour and discovered we love French Villages . Sadly they are full of French people one of your more ignorant clans around. Of course when you find a good one they are delightful with their accent and love of the English language #sarcasm

One last village then wouldn’t hurt on way home . It was a bigger one called Ill de Sook I think with canals on both sides so was a dilemma whether to start with the near canal or the……wait for it……. far canal. The ducks were having fun so we joined in and had an ice cream . Sadly Gary was closed .

Time to head home then as knees and ankle were giving a bit of grief and we had seen so much today already after my usual early start . Can’t stand to let these booteeful mornings pass me by but eventually may have to so can recharge . Tonight we have a yummo roast veal to soak up the obligatory wine but is it too early for the Espresso Martinis you ask 🤔 Stay tuned folks

After a long day slept pretty well . Maybe drop back to two bottles of wine tonight and no Grappa! Pleasantly cool after the heat of Africa.

JL have a car so each day probably involve some driving to explore region but also happy to let village life – especially Pleased da Funtown- wash over you

As an early riser I went for a walk around town by myself to watch the sunrise . Lovely area

Gave a few Frenchies a reason for living today and then headed back home but on the way dropped in to the lab and did few smears for them and read an ESR. It’s the little things that count

By now CLP was up so went for another walk. Some exercise feels very good

This time when we returned home the hosts were up and we had a lovely breakfast . The plan today was for a leisurely drive to a couple of tasting rooms and a couple of villages . First up was Vaison-La-Romaine in search of coffee. Sadly many businesses are closed as slow season so we had an energising walk over a bridge and up a hill to get a better view for cafes .

The we walked back across bridge into town past the clothes markets and into the town square where there more markets and great cafes . Very passable cappuccino as well so it was a great start to day

It was 5 pm somewhere so time to start some tasting . Rather than wineries per se we went to a couple of Co-Ops rather than cellar doors . First up was Les Vigerons de Roaix-Seguret . Now Frenchies like a big lunch break so we rocked up for tasting at 11:50 and they closed at midday. No problem Sweetheart , line em up. 6 wines tasted and 5 bottles bought and out at 12:05. You Aussies 😏 Very reasonably priced wine as well for less than 10 Euro each 👍🏻

Must be time for lunch and wisely we had picked up some baguettes at last village . Yummo

That can only mean it’s time for some more drinking but of course nothing opens again until 2 pm. Another coffee then at next village that had sign of life, harder than you may think.

is also an an acute fuel shortage at present with many stations closed . We found one with a 30 L limit but that was fine . By now our next place was open . We hit the dessert wines and they hit back

We thought we might stay at an Air BNB we saw online to give JL a break tonight but the blurb only mentioned the views and not the access 😏

Back home then and a walk around town to get some supplies of food as drinks are under control next 24 hrs – we have 6 bottles 👍🏻. A great butcher and chocolatier should do the job . We blocked the traffic as JL could have a clear run . The people are friendly but damn they are small.

Well those bottles won’t open themselves so let’s get home to let them breathe – you know 5 mins 🕺🏻. But first some Spritzers . In an odd turn the Prosecco was actually too good for a mixer and made the Spritzers a little bitter but hell we drank them . And then the left over Prosecco 👍🏻

Duck for dinner and some wine . Won’t bore you with those photos .

But I have them ….

So, when last we left our hero he was slowly making way to gate A12 where the expected efficiency of Emirates would at least kick in. Ah, nope. We were scheduled to leave at 18:50 but the board never updated although my Check My Trip knew there was an issue saying 19:15 pm. 6 Bucks and my right nut said we were not leaving at 19:15. Now the usual morons had been lining up since 620 pm because they only go by their boarding pass and nothing else. At least 80 I shit u not and the hosties are still sitting in the waiting area !

Then at about 730 pm the dreaded “indef delay” went up. No word , no announcement . Fuck Me Slowly , life flashed before eyes. We had a 3 hr gap at Dubai so relaxed with late boarding but “indef “ is not late. Or is it 🤔

No moron sits down of course 🤦🏻‍♂️ 10 mins later ,still no word or sign, a staff member walks around with a clapboard saying Zone C and so people start boarding . We were Zone D so we boarded about 10 mins later . Still no update on flight board. It’s an A 380 and in economy so always going to be a slog . At least now we get some good old Emirates service . Ah, nope. What a crap flight this was . Never seen so many attendants on board do so little except mostly talk to each other . The food was ok but of course our choice was gone by time we were served . Asked for a cuppa , never arrived and no more drink service hot or cold after one run. Breakfast was cod ordinary as well . We will never fly Emirates economy again

Arrived about 40 mins late so plenty of time . Of course it’s bus and a cut lunch to get to our terminal but also means security a bit easier and sitting outside our boarding lounge as of course not open 2 hrs before flight due to leave ! At least our bags made it to Dubai . Lyon ????

Our real concern at this stage with no confidence in Emirates is getting to our booked train from Lyon airport 90 mins after scheduled landing . Not confident . If we miss that then have to catch a shuttle into town centre and catch a much later train assuming they are running with all of the French protest going on at present because they raised retirement age from 62 to 64 !

Flight was ready to leave about 15 mins late but of course getting off the tarmac at Dubai is a nightmare . Left about 30 mins late but suddenly our flight time was only 6 hrs 20 mins and we would arrive 20 mins early . Great . Things look good

Went for a pit stop and came back and now we are 6hrs 45 mins flight time and arriving 10 mins late 😢 Today is just looking cod ordinary and really getting too old for this sort of travel. Too many assholes annoy me with their ignorance and stupidity. Beautiful looking at snow capped mountains as we arrived

We made up time in the air and arrived 10 mins early 😏 We had not so wisely chose one of the few only couplets down the back of 777 . Seems a good idea at the time until you realise you will be last off almost a packed plane . We stepped out and really immigration not that bad for non Euro and through in 15+20 mins. We then waited another 45 mins for bags and we were the only plane landed ! Anyway got to train station in plenty of time and now on a fast TGV train to Avignon to meet John and Lorraine for the 40 min drive back to our digs for the week at Pleased da Funtown or something like that 😏 There will be food and wine

Looks a beautiful village and we went for a short walk around the streets late afternoon and dropped into a very clean cheese shop for starters for some supplies . Asked for some Wensleydale but got a blank look . At last we were in the land of the cheese eating surrender monkeys #royhg

Think could get lost here if by ourselves as the streets wind around each other but we had our expert guides and then it was back for afternoon drinkies and a lovely dinner

Think I’m going to like France and our time in Pleased da Funtown , now it’s official name apparently 👍🏻

Comfortable night in our great room had us as relaxed as can be with the long day ahead because it will be

First up though let’s look out the window and see if Johburg has changed at all in 10 days. Ah nope

There is a lot of unrest in Johburg at present because of the significant power problems. Similarly there seems to be a lot of problems in France at present with industrial unrest. We have a tight schedule as it is with landing at Lyon and about an hour to catch the only train leaving from airport to Avignon for the following 4 hrs . JL meet us at Avignon to drive us back to our digs for the week in Pernes-les-Fontaines. If this comes off without a hitch I will be amazed and we all know what an optimist I usually am 🕺🏻

So, first flight from Johburg to Dubai (EmiratesA 380) is due to leave at 18:50 – a mere 12 hrs away 😵‍💫 Wisely we did book exit row seats . With the wanting $110 USD each for lounge access I see a few hours with GU ahead . Maybe we can check out the books in the bookcase to fill in a few hours . Ah nope

Ok it’s breakfast time then and really is a good included breakfast here with the full buffet which I can’t do justice too still being full but not buffed after last nights meal. Once you work out the Rand business it is all very reasonable here – $53 AUD all up for a big dinner and a drink for two last night. Similarly we had a cheapie room for our last stay next week here so upgraded just now for 1000 Rand to a room twice the size – that’s only 84 AUD folks.

Tried to look at paid lounge access at OR Tambo for the few hours this arvo but hard to get much accurate info at this stage . When travelling to France always nice to drop into Italy briefly even if Hooters is closed at 10 am on Sunday 😢 Can’t blame a fella for trying

A relaxing couple of hours in room until late checkout at 1 pm and then sat in foyer for an hour before catching shuttle to airport . We arrived at check in at 230 pm but had to wait , with about 20 others, until 2:50 pm ie 4 hrs before flight 😏 It is a bit of a nightmare at OR with standard issues with check in and security but falls down badly at last passport control stop. Only 2 operators for about 80 passengers at least and of course always happens here is people keep pushing past saying” will miss my plane” . Well maybe get here earlier next time asshole. Seriously at least 25 people pushed past us in the 30 mins we waited 😡 Any thoughts of paying for lounge access for a few hours were gone. Wasn’t paying $45 USD each for 2 hrs max. We had a very nice Sanger instead at cafe. Good shops at airport so did last minute souvenirs / presents shopping and then sat with the GU and waited…….plane already delayed 25 mins . Will sign off now and see you in Frogland hopefully.