Well the journey is finally underway and we have settled into our room in Lille somewhat worse for wear after 34 hours of travel. Such is the price for living in Australia.

Our travel started promising enough with Katie, Will and Bronte coming with us to the airport and taking our car back home. Check in with Vietnam airlines was quick so there was time for a drink with Sandy and Al before take off. 

Premium Economy seats were very roomy on the 787 on the 10 hour leg to Hanoi. Food and wine was the economy offering but service was efficient. Problems came with the longer second leg to Paris as the A350 crammed extra rows into the Premium Economy section. Less width and legroom wasn’t conducive to sleep when we needed it. Nor was the sound of so many people coughing. Now hoping the flu and COVID shots come to the fore.

Charles de Gaulle airport provided us lots of walking and a train trip to get to the customs hall to be confronted with huge snaking lines of people. Luckily, our Oz passport gave us access to a faster lane avoiding a long process. 

After farewelling Sandy and Al we had another long walk and wait for our fast train to Lille. We were disturbed by another long line of people trying to get on trains to Paris. This is a few months out from the Olympics, so it doesn’t augur well.

We’ve now had a good walk around the centre of Lille and a lunch at a very popular Italian restaurant (I know we’re in France) before checking in. A short nap has us ready to try to get into the time zone before an early evening.