Goodbye London – till 2020!

Early this morning we were on our way to Brussels – a diversion was required at the last minute due to ongoing French strikes.

Abdul arrived to pick us up at 4.20am – which gave us ten minutes to swing by Kings Road to take this last photo of us and this year’s best Christmas light.

Because when we return home, all these twinkling lights that helps to lighten the long nights will be long gone and the days of winter will seem more bleak.

Mission accomplished, we got on our way – along with other holiday makers heading to the continent. George rarely makes this long car journey with us and this is a reminder why Mum often leaves him at home.

He would stop intermittently and lay down when he’s tired but the minute the car hits a bump or the car changes direction, he sits upright again and pants. We have always wondered what is it about car rides that conjures up such fear. He doesn’t just pant, sometimes he is shaking. That means Mum can’t take a nap as he sits fretting away.

I, on the other hand, snoozed the minute I got in the car. I usually like to put my head on Mum’s lap but with George sitting upright, I couldn’t. It was a good four hours later before George put his head down on Mum’s arm and rested.

After crossing the Eurotunnel to Calais, we took the road towards Brussels instead of Paris. It was almost 9am when we saw the sun rising on the horizon.

Abdul dropped us off at Bruxelles Midi a good hour and a half before our train departed.

That was good as Mum had to buy a dog ticket for me – but not George as he was going into a bag! Due to the local train strikes and all trains going to France not running, there was hardly a queue – and we were done in no time.

Next on the things to do – Mum had to use the Ladies. She was standing outside the toilets contemplating how she could manoeuvre her roller bag and us into the toilets when these two lovely ladies from Arkansas stopped and admired our gilets. And one of them asked what breed I am as I reminded her of her miniature Goldendoodle back home.

I think Mum trusts other dog owners and quickly asked them the favour of holding onto us (note: her roller bag was more valuable than us) while she nipped into the Ladies. We were a little surprised at the sudden handover – so when she came back, we told her so!

With all that done so efficiently, it became a waiting game.

When are we getting on the train?

We are so bored.

Finally it was time to board!

Once on the train Mum put George in his tote bag.

And there he sat on the folding table …

But when I realised Mum’s lap was not occupied …

I leapt up and slept on her lap all the way to Frankfurt.

On arrival, it was as a three minute walk to our hotel Roomers –

Though we had fab plans for Paris tonight, it was also an unexpected chance to see Beate!

Had lots of things to negotiate with Beate

Like hugs and kisses

It’s been a long day so we are retiring early. After leaving London, we crossed the tunnel to France, drove to Belgium and took a train to Germany. That was Day One – where to next?

May’s comment: Quick thinking, last minute diversion to Brussels and stopping over in Frankfurt to avoid all the confusion caused by French strikes and part Belgian strike – and the result – to see Beate after several years. Much to catch up on and she gave me the best Christmas “present” – cough syrup to quell a burgeoning cold. Yes, caught a cold.

Tomorrow – onwards with a stopover in Vaduz before we reach our Christmas destination.