November 2018 - Solotravel

Avignon Stay

An easy and pleasant train ride from Antwerp to Avignon. I love the European train system, it’s fast, comfortable and efficient. The views from the train included the limestone hills, the odd ruined castle, and what I can only assume was a previous monastery or similar.

The European stations are generally in the middle of the city, but the Avignon TGV station was actually 5 minutes by train shuttle away. Costing €6 for the week, as many times as you wish to use the service. I had chosen to get off here, for cheaper accommodation and a simplified train experience for coming and going.

I am booked in the Adagio Aparthotel, one with a kitchen which I hope will keep costs down. Just a short 5-10 mins walk away from the station. It seems that 10mins are the French standard times to go anywhere. At least I was able to have my cup a soup evening meal in the room. Pleased about not having to go downstairs to the boiling water machine. The joy of joys there is also breakfast included.

I was able to see a big Carrefour supermarket from my window, so enquired how to get there. Sadly finding out that supermarkets are closed on Sundays in France, very strange. I have been fascinated by the business habits of the Europeans, particularly the supermarkets with their empty shelves, strange checkouts, trolley system, and the lack of plastic bags! On arriving home I find that there are no plastic bags given out at the supermarkets.

Exhausted after yesterday’s activity was a late start, the included a continental breakfast was very nice, with the most delicious croissants. Completed by a charming lady who was happy to put up with my attempts at speaking and practicing the French language. Talking with the receptionist I ended up booking a tour with her assistance. She gave instructions as to how to meet the tour, and to look out for a black Mercedes.

Arriving at the town center as I was told, half an hour early I waited and keep a look out for the black Mercedes. 12.30 came and went, no tour black Mercedes. Nearly in tears, I walked back up the Main Street, when a black Mercedes pulled up across the road! Ah, the relief, so I walked as fast as the walking stick allowed me. Reaching the guy who had stopped to look at some shoes displayed outside.

I asked if he was the tour guide for Provence Reservations, no, he says but I used to work for them! He asked what time the tour was supposed to have been, and immediately rang them. Apparently, they were looking for me! He very kindly offered to take me to meet the guide, which he did. They had been waiting a quarter of an hour for me in a grey Mercedes!

My pleasure to meet a charming young Canadian couple from Quebec.

Inverness

Inverness turned out to be a very easy small town to get around by foot. The driver, dressed as an 18-century gentleman for the Happy Tours tour, was kind enough to pick me up from the hotel. Initially, I was unsure where the pickup place was to be found. After a very nice continental breakfast, it was off to see Lochness, of the Nessie fame! It turned out to be a pretty lake with the Urquhart Castle on its shores. The castle was closed for the day so we missed out seeing it up close.

Further on was Fort George, again from a distance. Apparently, dolphins can be seen in the waters nearby but not for us. Lovely to see the Culloden (Clava)Viaduct

on the way to see the 4-5, 000-year old Clava Cairns. As an Outlander fan, I found them interesting, seeing them just as the sun was setting, the rays through the trees almost eerie. Battle of Culloden territory was a bracing experience, with time spent on the moors. I felt the chilly winds making themselves felt through every layer of clothing. One could only imagine the horrors of such a battle over 200 years ago. While not a whiskey drinker I did enjoy stopping into a distillery and being offered a “Wee Dram”. Memories of stopping in Edinburgh in 2006 to do the same, it’s a wonder I have not become a connoisseur.

After the full and busy day visiting many places, it was back to the Inverness hotel. I had a very small room and spent time rearranging the furniture to get some comfort. I was glad to be leaving the next day, the two flights of stairs and a tiny room reminded me of the old-fashioned box room at the top of some scary stairs. Meals were taken care of with the variety of eating establishments in the close vicinity in the town. The big supermarket a joy to see and experience, I love the new and interesting English selection of foods.

Caledonian Sleeper Train Journey

A couple of days to spare before the Caledonian Sleeper meant the next day the British Museum was on my list. I have been to London many times but never quite made it there. What an amazing museum! I was delighted to see the Rosetta Stone in the entrance. Over the years I have heard and read about it, so to actually see it, a privilege. I really enjoyed the Middle East section, including Egyptian and Syrian displays of artifacts and mummies. While in Egypt last year, I enjoyed the Egyptian Museum in all its glory but appreciated the London displays.

While in London I also took the time to go to the British Library. Although it was free entry, it left me somewhat disappointed, the ancient books were interesting, but being closed out of most of the rest of the library it was impossible to just wander in and absorb the atmosphere. I hadn’t realized a pass was required to go into the more specialized areas.

The next day was my booked Caledonian Sleeper trip to Inverness. A trip that had been on the bucket list for a very long time. After some hours mucking around at Euston Station, the train boarded at 8.30 pm. A simple matter, minutes later installed in the small cabin for the night. A comfy bunk across the train direction, with a cozy duvet. A small packet of toiletries added interest to the evening. The aromatherapy pillow spray was a nice touch.

A train buff from way back, I was asleep in minutes after leaving the station at 9.15. Waking early around 5 am, I wandered down to the lounge car for a coffee, the staff were going to charge me for a coffee, a bit of a cheek as I had paid top dollar for the trip before he realized it and said don’t worry!

It was lovely looking out the big windows as the darkness disappeared and the morning dawned over the snow that had been dumped by the ‘ Beast of the East. it covered the tops of the mountains down to the empty paddocks, although not so empty judging by all the paw prints of rabbits. I saw many rabbits up early and if there is any truth in the saying if you see 1 rabbit above ground, there is another 10-20 underground!

The mole diggings always fascinate me as we don’t have them at home in NZ. After finding out the general direction of the hotel, I discovered it was above a Chinese takeaway. I walked the cold streets to get there soon after 9 am, I was told check in was at 3 pm, but I could leave my bag at the hotel. At least that was a relief, so time for some orientation.

After leaving the hotel I wandered around the streets of Inverness in the cold, so cold that the first thing I had to buy a woolly hat, I have never felt such cold! I tried to find a tour for tomorrow and bumped into a guy with sign writing on his car saying Happy Tours! So booked a tour with him to see Loch Ness, Culloden, and various other sights in the area. Sadly not including the Isle of Skye. At least the weather appears to be stable!

Flying Emirates to London

Packed and ready to fly Emirates to London via Dubai. A surprise visit by my family calling in with food for a brief goodbye party before I left to go traveling again. One of those special moments that we all appreciate. After they left, all I had to do was wait for the chauffeur that came with the business class ticket I had booked with Emirates. At least I didn’t have to ask any of the kids to take me out to the airport with its traffic problems and parking. It will be different when I return because it will mean someone having to be at the airport for the sunrise.

Excitedly looking forward to being able to check in through the business class line, then heading up to the Emirates lounge for relaxation before boarding the flight to London. The airline has a great reputation as one of the top airlines in this part of the world. The flight was going via Melbourne, Australia, and Dubai in UAE so a couple of stops. Their lounge was way better than traipsing around the duty-free shops. A wonderful display of food fit for a king, preparation for the flight to come!

The first leg to Melbourne I was disappointed that the crew wasn’t particularly friendly. I suppose they were so busy they didn’t have time, it appeared to be a case of working to rote, getting everyone served because of the short flight time. Overall, I didn’t find any of the crews to be that friendly. The Melbourne-Dubai leg better, and Dubai-London pretty average

Seeing the huge new Dubai airport was certainly a wow, it had been some years since passing through this hub. Obviously, still work in progress but everything bright and shiny and massive. Arriving into Gatwick airport, of course, rain, and very cold as the Beast of the East weather pattern was still hanging around. I was grateful for the chauffeur drive into the hotel in London. I was so tired my eyes were permanently open! It was brilliant having the chauffeur service, it took all the hassle out of changing buses and trains. It was quite literally the best part of the Emirates experience, with a pleasant chatty driver, the long drive was interesting

My favorite hotel when I stay in London is the European in Kings Cross where it’s so handy to the trains, shops, and eateries. Check in was easy, although, despite a request for a downstairs room, someone hadn’t done so. Some quick scurrying located my favorite room on the ground floor, I have had it a couple of times here, a lovely large, inexpensive room for London on the ground floor. I find stairs a problem these days. I walked down the street towards Kings Cross in an effort to adjust to the jet lag, but a waste of time. Heading back to the hotel to face a broken nights sleep.