Up Up and Away

After an enjoyable dinner with the Swaab's Palan's and Snow's (restaurant Cervice(?) in Randwick Rugby Union Club which I would recommend for good food at reasonable prices) I went home to do some last bits and pieces. Thought I would check my flight departure before turning in - Oops 08:10 not 09:20 - I knew there is a reason I check these things. Anyway no problems except that it was then 01:00 so only four hours sleep.

I was committed to packing light this trip and all was going well until a week ago when little bits and pieces mysteriously got into my suitcase. 24.3 kilos leaving Sydney plus two bags for the flight - can only imagine what it will weigh when I leave for home.

Up at 05:00 and take the dogs for the last walk for a long time. Bailey certainly knew I was going away as he always does when a suitcase hits the floor. He becomes very clingy and affectionate. However I also noticed that Georgie was giving me strange knowing looks - probably feelings of guilt on my part. I am sure that Justin and Mish will look after them well while I am away - but I will miss them - heaps as Danz would say.

Waking Justin up at 06:00 to his expected chorus of 'can't you even read an itinerary' as he drove me bleary eyed to the airport. Thanks for the lift anyway Just.

Phoned Espen to make sure I was still expected at his place as a house guest for the next 11 days and was relieved to hear how much they were looking forward to seeing me - how polite they are. Anyway I am sure that with Wimbledon on this weekend he will enjoy having a sports loving partner. He has arranged lunch with his bridge sponsor who is also a member of our tipping competition which should be fun.

Check in smooth as silk and am now sitting in the upper deck listening to music, watching movies and messing around with my computer.

Singapore is just two hours away. I then overnight and leave for London at 09:20 tomorrow - ah now I see where I got the 09:20 from. I have a room guest tonight - Asher Grynberg as Rachel, Asher and Maya arrive on a later flight and hook up with me for the flight to London.

Not really sure why I planned so long in London but I guess it was a good idea at the time. I will be catching up with Linda's cousin Ann and Aunt Simone and Sybil arrives before I leave. I was also thinking of doing an overnight trip to Liverpool/Manchester. I certainly plan to play some bridge.

After London I have two bookings 15th by train to Paris, collect a car and drive to Deauville where there is a bridge festival or flight on 19th to Paris. I meet Danielle on 20th and niece Anna on 23rd so that will be good. We leave Paris on 24th to arrive in Provence on 26th where we stay with Michael and Vivien for a week (Anna just one night though).

Well only 6 hours out of Sydney so not much of interest outside of my random musings.

Bye for now - Love D

PS - arrive at the hotel and find I have an internal room. I go to the desk and ask for a room with a window as I suffer from claustrophobia (ok I was short of any good reason). She asked why I hadn't requested a room with a window - I said because I had never been in a hotel without windows so it never occurred to me.