So we showed up at the airport last night at midnight, ready for our 2am flight to Geneva and our holiday.
“Geneva?” said the young man at the Etihad counter. “There is no flight to Geneva tonight.”
“Ha ha,” I said. “Very funny.”
Sadly he wasn’t joking. The flight we were meant to be on had left at 2am the previous morning. I had got it wrong. I felt sick. We were told to go and see the ticket desk and try to get the next flight, scheduled for 9am this morning. I can’t believe how nice Etihad was about it. I mean it’s not their fault I am a natural blonde (I hide it well most of the time). And the flight was lovely, we were looked after by a Swedish attendant called Mattias who was so thrilled to find some “countrymen” as he called us that he kept bringing Leo treats from up front.
Now we are here we are by our lake, having been for a swim and settled into our rooms with a view.
Obviously Rupes didn’t let me forget my mistake, there were constant references to what day it is today and so on. “Is this joke going to go on all day?” I asked him.
“Oh no,” he laughed. “Much longer.”
This evening the girls arrive with my mother. Norrie and Mary have gone to collect them. Tomorrow we go and see THE house and we have a big, long, French lunch in honour of Norrie and Mary’s 41st wedding anniversary and the fact that my mother has survived for a month with the ferals.
We have lots of plans for our time in the Savoie, including a trip, I hope, to the home of the “mother of the nation” or the equivalent of the queen in the UAE. She summers here (like you do) and my friend is her BF so summers with her. The girls will be most impressed if we get to meet her; I am wondering what the protocol is. Does one curtsy?Do I have to wear a scarf?
Meanwhile the terrace beckons with a view of the lake and the swans gliding around looking serene. Oh and I forgot to say, it even rained earlier – total bliss.
And we have until the 29th of August when we fly home to enjoy it. Did I say 29th, maybe I meant 30th…..could be a good way to extend the holiday.
Copyright: Helena Frith Powell 2009
Lovely of the airline. I’ve found that most travel trouble comes from those who are employees of the airports and not airlines.
Have I mentioned that I am completely confused about your family – who lives where and such?
You are going to meet with Sheikha Fatima? Is your friend who summers with her called Regine, by any chance?
It is! How funny, do you know her?
Geez. It’s a small world. Yes, I know this lovely and dynamic woman. She came to my house a few years ago. Two years ago we both attended my nephew Nicolas’ wedding where she spoke. She is best friend with my sister in law, May. She knows me under the name Babette which is the French standard nickname for Elisabeth. Give her a big hug from me.
How amazing Elisabeth, I certainly will. I am going to call her this evening.
Hx
Hi Amber
My mother lives in Italy (but not with my father), my in-laws in France and England, my step-children in England. That’s about it!
Hx
He he! You’ve a good sense of humour.
I thought I was the only one who did things like that- like turning up at the airport having forgotten the tickets, having to rush back home in a taxi to get them! Twice!
Looking at the comments, it’s a small world indeed, and I suppose blogging makes it even smaller.
Have a great holiday, until whenever!
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before and behind him. my power. was sleeping peacefully.