Airport - The Baggage Issues

Should you ever travel with a woman you know she might bring too many clothes, well I'm not as bad as all that... i wouldn't say so anyway

In comparison hubby likes to travel with just his newspaper and mp4 player. Whilst when the family travel, we look like we run an import/export business, using every valuable kg and space of our hold luggage and cabin baggage, travelling with limited clothes as mum has a washing machine, but maximum wine, cheese, croissants, perfume, gin, what ever is on request! and on return to France, we travel to the maximum kgs with marmite, hardo bread, crumpets, Heinz baked beans, Charwoods anything, flavoured crisps (aah for a packet of salt and vinegar or cheese and onion!) and all our UK favourites.

I started wrapping up about 100 presents for 3 hours solid, for the family and friends in UK that I will see (hence i didn't post them), AND they all need to fit in the suitcase.. so this year its presents going over (2 cases full i think) and probably the same on the way back!

As a packing professional though, i will have the full 10ks of hand luggage each (yes even my 5 yr old will pull her share along - for about 5 minutes until my son takes over to speed up the pace) and the three suitcases ram to the brim with 15ks, might even try 16ks and don't mind having to leave two bottles of 65 cent wine at the airport with the lady on the desk, cheaper than excess and a real nice gesture as a frequent flyer (more likely to get that bottle through next time!)

RYAN AIR BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE / RULES

15KG in the hold (if you already paid for your bag)
if you didn't already pay its about 10 pounds each way (so cheaper to book it before you reach the airport)
AND
10KG in hand baggage, but no liquids and it must fit into that little metal frame (apparently)
there is no charge to take hand baggage - but you only have one piece!

Nearly Noel

Well for all the year's trials and tribulations im still here in the sunshine, now running my ebay business, had to find some way to make some money from home while hubby still contracting, now in Amsterdam and kids at school.

Hubby and son were home this weekend, J 15 now, and again they are back for the Liverpool vs Marseille match here tomorrow night. Xmas presents and post office runs for ebay goods in full flow, but kind of back pocket so already searching for some more prospects while hubby working away ...

Life is OK, making some more friends at the school, on kissing terms with at least 10 people, but dont really make that a habit! lol still english at heart! Firming some friendships too.

Had a few car problems, edf problems, france telecom problems, but thats life isnt it!...

tonight its just cotes de provence rose...
mmMM

First month in Mars

Just about to find my feet on my second European Emigration!! We came to France as a family 3 years ago, hubby is in I.T and is always working overseas, so its me and the kids to find our way - J my son is 13, yes a typical teenager and Kelisse is 4 years old.

So we used to live in the sleepy Pyrenees, close to Spain. We bought a huge character village property on a hill and renovated it, although a great experience, not one I am planning to repeat in a hurry, and i don't want to break any more nails now! We moved because we needed a bit more life - whilst the Pyrenees is a great place to live if you are retired or havent many demands other than great wine and great scenery... we need a bit more to life - like football, dance, yoga, life and even a bit more sunshine wouldnt go a miss..

So, we are installed in Marseille.. some four hours down the coast, one of the bigger cities in France. I have found us an apartment that also overlooks vineyards, so its a bit like home from home having moved from wine country (something im becoming quite a connisseur of nowadays). Its cosy, we had to downsize and declutter and its actually been a very refreshing experience. I hadnt realised how much time and energy that old house had been eating up from me.

We had the pleasure of my husband to be (of fifteen years) company to help with the moving - The moving involved a little convoy of our cars and our moving truck taking the four hour drive (375km) from our old house. Then of course he was home to experience our first christmas here together - which was great.

Plenty of christmas cheer - presents, chocolate, mince pies, christmas pudding, cranberry and of course sprouts - this year we didnt manage to get parsnips - but no one seemed to notice!

Now we have celebrated the new year beginning and im really ready to get sorted out with work and everything - its all pending - god i hate pending! lol Kids will be back at school next week - Jordan to his boarding school and kelisse to a new school here in Allauch, on the edge of Marseille.....

Watch this space to see how we get along!