Saturday 14 March 2026

The US and Israel launched an attack on Iran on 28th February, throwing travel to Europe into disarray. The Australian Government issued a 'do not travel' notice and Emirates cancelled our Brisbane to Dubai and Paris flight. Iran retaliated by sending drones and missiles to all its neighbours, including Dubai airport.

So, deciding that it was indeed a year of living dangerously, we managed to get a re-route via Melbourne to Dubai, which was on again off again, closed then open. Most missiles were shot down by the UAE but it only takes one. After two days in Buderim visiting Zena, who is now 98, we flew to Melbourne, surprised the grandkids for an hour or so after school, then the limo to Tullamarine and the Emirates A380 to Dubai.

All went well and the Captain announced that we were on final to DBX. At 19,000' he announced that the airport was closed and we had to do circuits. It was during this time that we felt and heard the shooting down of two missiles. That done, they opened the airport and we landed. One hour in the lounge turned into four, with two public safety announcements to get away from windows and be 'aware'. The Champagne was cold.

Eventually we boarded and enjoyed an uneventful eight hours to Paris. Two nights in the famous Hotel Mistral in the 14th Ar. and walking distance to Gare Montparnasse, in glorious Parisienne Spring weather, was just what we needed. Next morning the TGV to Bordeaux was seamless and we collected our lease Peugeot 308 and headed to Les Petites Rivieres (LPR), our country retreat in Charente-Maritime department in southwestern France.

Saturday 21 March 2026

We have settled in to a familiar setting. Plenty of firewood for the open fire as the nights and mornings are 3-8C but the days are 18-21C and clear blue skies. Off to the market today for fruit and vegetables, artisan bread and fresh fish.








Comments

  1. Steve Garrad21 March 2026 at 13:27

    Delighted to be with you on your journeys and anticipate many photo of glasses raised & gastronomic delights on the table. A good start though one of your fish appears to once have had legs! Bon journeé.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Russell21 March 2026 at 16:18

    Good start Roger. Hopefully a Year of only living a "little" dangerously!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Graeme22 March 2026 at 23:04

    Good start, you have moved well into range of the Iranian ICBMs....cheers

    ReplyDelete

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