Morning has broken . . .

Well, I made it (unfortunately without my cardigan which was forgotten at Gate A20) to the apartment around 10 last evening and, while the twinkling of Villefranche and Cap Ferrat provided a tease of spectacular views, it was today's sunrise that fulfilled the promise. Wow!  This apartment is a little further east around the bay than the one last year so the views are more directly out to sea and the tip of Cap Ferrat. The bay (or rade as it is called here) has quite a few lovely yachts in it but no cruise ships, at least today.  Looking west from the terrace and a little down the hill, I can see the apartment where I stayed last year.  I've managed a few errands - finding a cafe for petit dejeuner, getting my watch battery replaced, visiting the tourist info office, and buying some groceries including a Provençal rose. I survived the steep steps up the hill to the apartment barely (it's not called La Colline for nothing) although it would be even harder in the heat forecast later in the day. So, this is it - my home for the next 2 1/2 weeks. I'm so blessed!

Bliss, Well Almost!

When I booked my flights to Nice, I had the options of either a very tight connection or a 6 1/2 hour layover at that least favourite airport of mine, Heathrow.  I opted for the latter but, with all those hours to wait, the question became how could one survive LHR, particularly after arriving off an overnight flight. Well, after some research with a friend, the answer seemed to be to book into an "airside" hotel (one behind airport security) and, as there is one in Terminal 3 called No. 1 Traveller Hotel, that is what I did.  Here's what I learned. First off, as it takes a fair amount of time to get from terminal to terminal in LHR, particularly as you have to go through security each time.  So, I overestimated the amount of time I would actually have in my room. With the late flight arrival (What's with Air Canada 853 which has been delayed 1 hour the last three times I've flown it?) and factoring in the transfers from T2 where I arrived to T3 where the hotel is and then to T5 where I was departing, what was supposed to be  4 1/2 hours of quiet bliss was now cut to just over 3.  Added to the annoyance was that I'd paid for 4 1/2!  The room, a single, was very small, what I imagine a sleeper compartment on a train to be like but it did have a lovely walk-in shower.  Although with insufficient time, I didn't get to use it. The very comfortable bed was sort of in a pod on a shelf, a rather high one. Now, I'm 5' 2" and getting up into that bed was a bit of a trick. Good thing there was no camera recording me flop and wiggle my way up into it.  It was not a matter of simply stepping in. A little Rubbermaid kitchen stool would have been very helpful but one simply does not carry that sort of thing in their handbag. I know from the picture it doesn't look like it but it was at least 3 1/2' feet high.  Anyway, I did manage to nap a couple of hours - fretfully as the onus for waking up falls on the client, no wake-up calls here - and after that I took advantage of the complimentary food and drinks, in my case a glass of wine with some bread and cheese. That little room was certainly a welcome respite between the crowded AC flight and the noise of T5 while I waited to board my next flight. I just needed more time there!

A Hop, Skip and a Jump

The only other time I've broken up a trip to Europe by overnighting in Vancouver was the first time I went in 1979 when I stopped off to see an Abba concert. Well, here it is 35 years almost to the day later so it seems fitting to do it again. This time it is to see Elton John.  And, what a show that man puts on!  Bright Light Bright Light, his opening band, was good as well but no one could match the passion Elton puts into his singing and piano playing. I guess at this point I should mention he was born the same year as me and I sure don't have that energy!  The concert was amazing!  For the record, our seats weren't this close. I love the zoom on my new camera!

So, now I'm in Vancouver and so not looking forward to my 6:30 p.m. overnight flight to London Heathrow where I have a nearly 7 hour wait (more about that later) before my flight to Nice. It is a rather long journey to call it all 'a hop, skip and a jump' but that's the best I could come up with although I do have 'Good Bye Yellow Brick Road' playing in my head this morning.