Editors Note: We planned this trip on short notice, and were able to stay at Richard’s place in the Dordogne once again for week 1. For week 2, the only place we could get on short notice was in an area of the Perigord “equally inconvenient to everywhere”. The poor location combined with bad weather and Kristen being a nudge ruined the mood a bit, but we still had a nice time.
This diary is a bit more descriptive than the 1998 effort. By 2002 I probably realized that the diary would eventually be read by someone other than myself and Jill, so figured I’d better start filling in some details!
Unfortunately the pictures were not developed digitally, so I have only some digitized, in primitive fashion. I'm going to get all my old slides digitized soon, I promise.
This diary is a bit more descriptive than the 1998 effort. By 2002 I probably realized that the diary would eventually be read by someone other than myself and Jill, so figured I’d better start filling in some details!
Unfortunately the pictures were not developed digitally, so I have only some digitized, in primitive fashion. I'm going to get all my old slides digitized soon, I promise.
Day 1 – 8/15/02
In the Segala
This is my first vacation of any length in a couple of years. I’m gonna have fun!
Today, Thursday, I worked at home for BNY; not much going on, just responding to emails.
Bob & Joyce picked us up at home around 2 and drove us to Newark. After some annoying lines, and a security check where my shoes and wallet were x-rayed, we boarded Air France for an almost-full flight to Paris at 5:05 pm.
Departed a little later, and after our meal (unspectacular), Dave mostly slept, Jill & Kristen started a little later.
Landed at Charles De Gaulle before 7 a.m., were the last off the plane, and were met by a special ground agent with a sign for Toulouse, Rome, and a third city.
Those of us affected (about 12), instead of going through normal Customs were put in a van for a high speed trip around the airport and a shortcut to our terminal so we wouldn’t miss our connecting flight.
We ended up in a sprint through the terminal, Dave keeping up with the group, and signaling Jill and Kristen behind. Jill carrying our heavy carryon, and Kristen running to keep up.
We made our flight to Toulouse with plenty of time to spare, spent it waiting on a bus, then transferred to our 1/3 full plane. The plane was about 30 years old and leaking fluid. Probably was just gassed up… I hope.
Landed in Toulouse before 9 a.m. Too good to be true! Went to baggage claim and voila – no baggage. None for an American father / son from Pennsylvania either, who were also on our Newark flight. They were waiting for their bags and bikes for a Pyrenees trek.
We had been through exactly the same routine last time we flew into Toulouse…
Day 2 >>>
Today, Thursday, I worked at home for BNY; not much going on, just responding to emails.
Bob & Joyce picked us up at home around 2 and drove us to Newark. After some annoying lines, and a security check where my shoes and wallet were x-rayed, we boarded Air France for an almost-full flight to Paris at 5:05 pm.
Departed a little later, and after our meal (unspectacular), Dave mostly slept, Jill & Kristen started a little later.
Landed at Charles De Gaulle before 7 a.m., were the last off the plane, and were met by a special ground agent with a sign for Toulouse, Rome, and a third city.
Those of us affected (about 12), instead of going through normal Customs were put in a van for a high speed trip around the airport and a shortcut to our terminal so we wouldn’t miss our connecting flight.
We ended up in a sprint through the terminal, Dave keeping up with the group, and signaling Jill and Kristen behind. Jill carrying our heavy carryon, and Kristen running to keep up.
We made our flight to Toulouse with plenty of time to spare, spent it waiting on a bus, then transferred to our 1/3 full plane. The plane was about 30 years old and leaking fluid. Probably was just gassed up… I hope.
Landed in Toulouse before 9 a.m. Too good to be true! Went to baggage claim and voila – no baggage. None for an American father / son from Pennsylvania either, who were also on our Newark flight. They were waiting for their bags and bikes for a Pyrenees trek.
We had been through exactly the same routine last time we flew into Toulouse…
Day 2 >>>
