La Cadière-d'Azur

Complementary meal from GRJ due to all the disruptions in the very quirky L’eautel Hotel but steak was so tough it was inedible! However, the breakfast was great and Toulon looks lovely, although we saw little of it. As one group member said “edgy”… 🤷🏻‍♀️
Anyway, getting onto the TGV was a work of art with a group of 29 and lots of luggage but we managed it eventually although the station master bloke was getting hot under the collar and had his whistle in his mouth agitatedly for a while, desperate for us all to finally get on. Ted’s and my seats were one behind the other but a single group member swapped so that was ok and we were going backwards this time but after Marseille we changed direction so we’re going forward. Four hours and twenty minutes later we arrived at Gare de Lyon, an interminable transfer to Gard du Nord in the coach then hit the ground running to book in on time around 15.10 for the 16.12 to London. There’s only 1 trains delayed and….. that’s ours-of course it is! 🙄😂🤔 only 25 mins late in the end. A most delightful light meal on Eurostar with wine and then, after saying our goodbyes to everyone, we got off smartly and literally dashed off to get the Avanti West Coast line…. As usual, after a sweaty run up Euston Road, the train was “preparing”! We managed to get a seat in carriage U. All in all, it took 12 hours from getting on the train in Toulon to getting off the bus at the Highcross near our house.
So…. that’s that! Another GRJ under our belt, and a bit disappointing the way it turned out, but I suppose these things happen. The weather wasn’t as good as anticipated, went in 1 pool, 1 swim in the Med and 2 beaches only, 6 days travelling out of 12 and only 2 nights in the last lovely hotel in Sardinia. But… c’est la vie. Lucky to cross two more places off our list, met some lovely people and saw some beautiful scenery so let’s get this latest book printed and onto the coffee table in case anyone wants to follow two old codgers’ travels! 🤔😂Read more