doug Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 Yup crashed out into bed at 02:30 am this morning. Lots to do. Will post in detail later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 Welcome home you old reprobate. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 Welcome back Doug. You been somewhere nice then. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 Good to hear from you. Hope you had a good time. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted October 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 We had a smashing time, went to our friends caravan near la Ciotat on the southern French coast between Marseille and Toulon as we have done for the previous 8 years. This time without No. 1 G'daughter for the first time. A very different and relaxing break. So it was in 3 parts - the journey out - while we were there and the return.The journey out. Very easy day relaxed plenty of time, did some last minute shopping and put the rest of the hanging baskets and wall pots to bed. In the late afternoon taxi arrived and had a quick journey to Newcastle airport. Checked in and made our way to bay 19 where the Ambulift collects disabled passengers to transport them to their plane. We both said at the same time that things had gone so well and if only the journey at the other end would we as easy. We were due to arrive at Nice mid evening, collect the car and drive to the caravan through the hills late at night. The Ambulift arrived and the Anne asked " You did pick up the keys to the caravan didn't you?" "No you always do that!" "No, you were supposed to do that". So I emptied the small rucksack onto the floor to prove that I hadn't got them. So after several phone calls we chickened out of the flight and had to wait 'till they had loaded everyone else onto the plane and off-load our luggage. Called the taxi Co. to turn the taxi round and re-booked onto the next available flight which was for 07:30 next day. So home we went. 12 hours later we were back and flew out successfully less £70 for flight transfers and £40 for taxi'sWhile we were there. Very relaxing wonderful weather had the usual 3 days of the Mistral mid way through - no real problem. Had 2 goes at doing the Verdon Gorge - did it a few years back West to East so we tried doing it the opposite way round. Drove up to Draguignan the on to Castellane and stopped for afternoon tea. Set off foe the Gorge and I took the wrong turning and we finished up on the way to Digne-les-Bains. because you can't just turn round on those narrow twisty roads in the mountains and the French haven't really got their act together when it comes to off-motorway sign posting down there in the south. Eventually we managed to steer ourselves round and made our way home missing the gorge completely. Still we had some wonderful views especially driving through the Lavender fields which were nearly over. So a few days later we succeeded and did the gorge satisfactorily. Wonderful scenery and the Gorge is awe inspiring. Did part of the route again a few days later when we visited Grasse and took in the Perfume museum and factory. Spent the rest of the holiday just pottering, eating, drinking, eating, dosing in the afternoon sun and generally being a couple of layabouts!Return jouney. No problems except when we checked in usual questions about the Powertrike and battery. Had the leaflet for the Powertrike to hand so was able to show the oversize luggage X-ray scanner chap what he was looking at. When asked was the battery liquid was able to say "No it's a Nickel Metal Hydride job!" "Damage it and it'll set you back 1000 Euros!" No further problems. then we had to face a 2 hour delay. After some considerable time a very informative announcement came over the Tannoy so the reason for the delay was due to the non-arrival of the aircraft! Eventually we boarded and Chatting to the Senior Trolley Dolly while waiting for the Ambulift at Newcastle found out that they had had an appalling day. Delays right from the start of their tour with fog at Charles de Gaul airport. Unruly passengers on the trip to Prague leading to several arrests and then something about a rugby match somewhere where the supporters had drunk the plane dry and they hadn't been able to top up their stocks! We finally fell into bed a bit exhausted in the wee hours of this morning. So today has been taken up with keeping the washing machine fed. Shopping for emergency supplies because our deep freeze had packed in just before the trip and mowing the jungle of a lawn this evening. So thats about it folks. You lot been up to anything at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 No! dead quiet here Doug. Nothing happened worth a mention. B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 Well it tired me out just reading of the trip out and the trip back. You are either a very brave man or else a glutton for punishment.The last time we flew anywhere was to Cyprus about 10 years ago, and that was no where near as bad as your escapades, but it put me off. Since then we have taken either the motorbike or the car across from Hull to Rotterdam and motored from there to where ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Well it was eventful that's for sure!Sounds like you had a good time though.PS Missed you in the run this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted October 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Yes Artist. Didn't do it on medical advice. Had had a series of chest infections this year after failing to fully recover from a dose of pneumonia. Doesn't matter how I tried every time I did a training run I finished up virtually on my knees. Was told to be sensible for a change. Anyway I have managed the odd couple of 2 milers now without too much difficulty. So will see how I get on this winter and hopefully do the run next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Glad you had a good time. Regarding driving up gorges etc. I am OK on roads with a decent width, and gentle slopes away from the road, in those cases I am happy to get quite high up. I cannot however cops with precipitous roads. Neither can 'Er indoors. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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