Europe/UK 2023

 It has taken me all this time to summon up the energy and the will to complete the last post of our wonderful journey. The Paris-Singapore leg was fantastic with both of us sleeping and waking up only 3.5 hours from Changi Airport! Approaching Changi we were informed there was congestion and we would be in a holding pattern ... after 30-40 minutes, we diverted to Johor Bahru in Malaysia as we were running out of fuel. This was only a journey of 60km, but we ended up spending 2.5 hours waiting for the plane to be refuelled then back to Changi. By this time we had missed our connecting flight to Christchurch. Singapore Airlines were very organised and had our boarding passes ready for us for Auckland-Christchurch. Although by this stage we only had 45 minutes to get from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1 and Gate 29. For those of you familiar with Changi, you will know the sheer size of the place. However, thanks to regular Sky Trains we made it to the departure lounge. Auckland leg went wel...

 Last day in Paris, and last day of our 17 week adventure! Anne was keen for one last coffee at Jozi but there was a queue already by the time we got there around 10.30am. So on to Strada on Rue Monge who do good coffee also. 15 degrees which is very mild for this time of year.  Church of Saint-Severin. Construction began in 1230. One of the oldest churches that remains standing on the Left Bank. Visited on Saturday and was amazed by the beautiful stain glass windows, the colours were still so vivid! The Memorial des Martyrs de la Deportation is a memorial to the 200000 people who were deported from Vichy France to the Nazi concentration camps during WW11. Last photos along the Seine on our way back to apartment for the final time. The team still hard at work 24/7 on Notre Dame. Farewell 17 Saint-Jacques! Lunch in Latin Quarter then Uber to Charles De Gaulle Airport for flight to Singapore then Christchurch.  We have had a fabulous time with Sam, Urh, Olivia, Nicola, fami...

Well here we are, the last night of our journey. Landed in Milan 17 weeks ago last Friday and fly home tomorrow (Monday) 10.30pm local time! 87 bus to Place de la Bastille to see the monument and the Sunday Market. The market is adjacent to the Bastille. John Reese was correct when he described the market … “This is not just a market, but more like a grand Fair.”  It is huge! I reckon it extends for at least 400 metres.                                       Cheeses                                     Olives                        And not least … cheap wine!! The stalls just seemed to go on and on and on … and the people …  A purchase of clementines and a baguette and it was back for the 87 bus. And not for the first time in Paris, ...

 Caught the Metro to Abbesses and walked out of the station into the Saturday market!!  Word of advice if you are ever taking the Metro to Abbesses … take the lift from the platform to the Exit!!  Ended up walking to Montmarte and Sacre Coeur, we were planning to take the funicular but my directions were slightly off. 😕 So more steps!!                              Sacre Coeur A Much easier walking back down steps to Metro! Metro back to Cluny then walked to Rue Mouffetard and coffee at Dose. Certainly much quieter than our visit in September.  Place de la Contrescarpe - this was packed day and night in September. Picked up lunch at Maubert Market and ate back at apartment. Back over the Seine (Right Bank) and BHV Marais, a very busy place indeed!               And Christmas decorations of course! Place de la Liberation adjacent to BHV Marais - site of m...