Friday, June 3, 2016 (I think)

It was a long day yesterday – 24 hours from take-off to landing with a few hours added in for an early arrival at the airport and a few hours taken off for time differences.

I was able to stitch on the legs from Vancouver to Toronto and then from Toronto to St. John’s; I intended to sleep for the five hour crossing to London but I wasn’t tired enough so I listened to music, did a couple of puzzles and tried to nap a few times. Those last five hours felt longer than the earlier part of the day combined.

When we landed at Gatwick we were quickly through passport control but then more than a little stumped as to how to get out of the airport and to our hotel. After a few bad turns and wrong doorways we found it, checked in and had their complimentary breakfast. By then I could barely keep moving and we slept until late afternoon when it was time to check in at the airport for our flight to Lyon.

We’ve managed to keep our eating schedule on track with the time differences. It was sandwiches most of the day yesterday so our breakfast at the hotel was what we needed. After sleeping all day though it felt like morning when we woke up but we had a hot supper at the airport.

You may have heard of the recent problems in France. There are rotating rail strikes which may also affect air traffic controllers, a call for a general strike while we are in Paris, and notification that two of the major museums in Paris are closing due to the flooding. Add to that a fuel shortage so even the car rental we have may be affected. But we’ll adapt and I’ve promised Christy there will be no “Amazing Race-style” meltdowns.

When I looked at our flight details to Lyon I told Pat I wasn’t sure I could handle another three hour flight. I was thrilled that there is a two hour time difference and the flight won’t be too long. There are potential problems when we land – we land shortly after ten and will have to clear passport control. The tram and the metro only run until midnight and we have two different metro stations to pass through before we get to our lodging. We’re staying in Old Lyon so cabs won’t necessarily get us all the way to where we need to be. Another adventure in the making.

I’m a bit concerned I won’t be able to sleep tonight but “a rest is as good as a sleep” – at least that’s what I continue to tell my kids. We’ll want an early (and fresh) start tomorrow when we hit the streets of Lyon.

Location:Gatwick Airport, London