Days 1 and 2

Delays in Sydney caused me to miss my connestion in Halifax so I was rerouted through Toronto and got to London a little later than originnally planned. Caught the Tube to St Pancras with seconds to spare and boarded the Eurostar for Lille, France. Chunnel was a disappointment - nothing but darkness. Emerged in a snowstorm and arrived in Lille at 6:30. Ibis Hotel clean and modern. Pas de punaise des lits - a phrase I was ordered to learn.
Lille is an interesting city, a mix of new and old and is the birthplace of Charles de Gaulle! The city is getting ready for Christmas with outdoor markets in every square. They also have the obligatory Ferris Wheel, I think it was part of the European Community membership agreement.Temp is -2 so mulled wine was in order. Visited Palais des Beaux Arts where they have a wonderful Rubens collection with a few Goyas thrown in but I didn't see one Bidet.
Tomorrow - Vimy Ridge

A Journey of a Thousand Miles...

...begins with a single step!

Here I go!

The Doc Always Liked Me Best

17 Days To Go!

As I work on my Doc list I thought I should pop up this photo of me at the British Museum to prove that I was not bullshitting when I said I has seen the Elgin Marbles. Christ knows the Doc drove us crazy talking about them. I think he supported the Greek government's case to have them returned to Athens.

I have made arrangements to visit Carlisle in northern England which is the western terminus of Hadrian's Wall, so I think I have covered just about everything on the list. I just hope that the railways have stopped their wildcat strikes before I go.

In Dublin I plan to visit the Guiness Brewery even though it is not on the Doc's list.  I will raise a pint to the late and nearly great Wib McLennan and Brian "Red" Dowling, two old SA friends who have passed to their eternal reward.

My plans are moving along quite nicely. I have attached a Canadian flag to everything but my underwear and have pared down my packing to the bare essentials. This has not been easy for a clothes horse like me.

...to be continued