DTWW

Bordeaux

Bordeaux

This was a to be a new opportunity for me whereas in the past I had been on a day trip the opportunity arose and I took up a two-night stay. The plan for me was to travel to London Gatwick where I would join the other members of the party some would fly down from Manchester others like me boarded at Gatwick. The flight was an afternoon one so making life easier although I still travelled during the morning fortunately Gatwick airport was familiar to me as we had flown from there to Barcelona previously.

My route took me through the local town of Dursley and up the steep and winding Woodmancote hill. The woods either side form a tunnel effect with the outstretched branches almost touching each other across the road. The top begins to flatten out and the bends end as I turned away from the Wotton direction towards Tetbury passing en route the quant Hunters Hall. The Hunters is a famous local pub, come restaurant from a converted old manor at night when lit up it makes an "amazing" sight a joy to drive past. I have on more than one occasion enjoyed a meal and drink in its pleasant rural atmosphere.

The crossroad at the end gives the motorist the chance to turn left through Nailsworth for Stroud or Right through miles of open countryside with dotted villages on route to the Roman city of Bath with its Spa. The view of the city when driving down the hill towards it is magnificent and much of the city is still unspoilt with Victorian architecture remaining.

I headed straight on through a village or to that on the B road led to the Royal town of Tetbury. Going straight through I headed for Cirencester somewhere between the two is the Gloucestershire home of Prince Charles. Skirting round Cirencester another Roman town Corinium is its Roman name I took the road in the direction of Swindon although the M4 motorway was now my intended destination. Smoothly I was able to join the M4 on a down sloping slip way and ease my way into the mid-morning traffic. Motorway driving can be tedious at the best of times and even with the radio on and my heart beating faster due to my excitement I still worry on how long it will take. Fortunately, Gatwick is well sign posted and it was with much relief and pleasure that I drove up to the gates of the car park inserted my credit card and drove in to park the car.

Once out and noting my space I removed my suitcase, locked my doors checking them one by one and joined the half a dozen or so passengers waiting at the bus stop for the soon to arrive bus. The ride was not a long one and I was soon heading for the allotted check in desk booking in for my flight and through the security gates where amongst others I noticed Mrs Warburton (Jinny as I later discovered) with her attractive daughter Catherine.

It was while heading for the departure gate I noticed a young lady approaching from behind and to my right she hopped on an escalator as I continued to walk and in passing, we acknowledged each other as familiar faces. We were late to pass in the toilet area and I did notice her sat down in the lounge area reading a book but decided to read my paper. On the plane I found we were sat across adjacent aisles and started chatting then it was suggested we could sit together, and we chatted some more. She explained how the flight from Manchester was almost diverted to Bournemouth and she didn't know what would have happened. Finally, I was moved again as I was in the wrong seats, I had been in the wrong row a regular occurrence for me something I still do. On the plus side I was sat next to Jinny who took the opportunity to tell me off in a harsh but friendly manner for causing trouble. I am sure she didn't mean it nastily and we did enjoy a pleasant conversation in between the inflight meal before landing all too quickly on French soil.

Through customs and waiting for the complete party to meet up with Laura waiting and counting numbers I was again greeted by the same young lady from Japan and approached her to converse. On the bus we sat on opposite sides of the aisle near the front conversing as we travelled only to head in different directions and floors for our rooms in the hotel. I was next to the Warburton ladies although as it was soon to be dark, I did not venture far. Not being hungry I consumed a chocolate bar, started the sudoku in my newspaper and headed for a quick drink in the bar. Amongst the drinkers was Paul with a couple of his friend/acquaintances I had met him in Marseille a few years earlier with his father on the ill-fated trip when I met John from Widnes. Paul speaks almost constantly as if drunk due to an unfortunate handicap and also has withered hands that make eating and drinking difficult. He only drinks alcohol from bottles or via a straw. Paul and his two Norwegian mates departed soon after although we enjoyed an amicable chat as we watched the tv he headed for the city for a meal while I decided to stay in returned to my room for some more TV and sleep.