DEPARTING GUEMENE
Here are pictures of our neighbouring property put up for sale just before we left. Interesting renovation job!
We set out from Guemene after lunch on 29 June 2014. Our neighbour advised us we should have an easy run as trucks are not allowed on French roads on Sundays. By and large he was right. There were a few foreign trucks who probably were not aware, or didn't care, about the rule. What we didn't bargain with was the huge volume of vehicles which were probably returning to Paris after a weekend in the country. By the time we reached the perephique (Paris ringroad) it was nose to tail and we got to the car return depot at the airport half an hour later than we advised them we would.
Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris
No problem, we were there 3 hours before our Air France departure for Guangzhou in China. So early in fact that because of the huge queue waiting to book in baggage we decided to sit and have our sandwiches. The queue didn't get any shorter so we joined it. Eventually when we reached the check-in desk we were advised, very nicely, that we couldn't get on the flight because it was overbooked, which is standard practice.
"But we booked and paid for our seats in February." we complained.
"That doesn't make any difference" we were told "we should have got our boarding passes on line".
"How are we supposed to know that?" we asked
Not sure what the answer was but we got a distinct reminder of the line in "Little Britain". "The computer says NO"!!
However the next assistant we got said we would be compensated with either an €800 voucher each for a flight within 12 months or €600 each into our credit account.
"We'll take the money, thanks."
Also, we will be upgraded to Premium Economy seats on the 12 hour leg to Bangkok with Air France, stay at the Radisson Hotel for the night and have a €16 meal voucher each. Sounds good!!
So, we were given boarding passes for the 2.45pm flight to Bangkok next day with a Thai Airlines connection to Sydney.
The flight hadn't even arrived when boarding was due so it left about 1.5 hours late. There was only 1 hour between flights in Bangkok so, not surprisingly, we were late. But the board said the flight was waiting so we did a dash - which turned out to be about 2kms - to the departure lounge!
Bangkok Airport
"Usually, in these circumstances, they would book you on the evening flight as there is no chance your bags will be transfered over for this one, so do you want to leave now or wait 12 hours for the evening flight?" we were asked by the check-in person.
"We go now. Thanks for waiting".
Paddy fields or salt pans next to airport.
We got home around midnight and the bags arrived at 5pm next day. When we had time to stop and check we noted that the boarding passes we were given in Paris nominated the morning flight from Bangkok but the confirmation Email indicated the evening flight.
I've been trying to work out why they overbook since it causes so much upheavel (It wasn't only us). Could be they can get a seat paid for twice and Insurance Companies compensate the customers who don't arrive on time? Bit dodgy if that's true!
Back home
Citrus fruit, mostly picked up off the ground. Varition Limes top Left, Lemons top Centre, Valencia Oranges top right and Ruby Grapefruit. Might make some marmalade.
Very delicious "homegrown" Grapefruit!
