jour 2

 I start to write the blog as I am back for a mid-afternnon break.  So far, I took more steps than yesterday and the day is not finish...  Even if I hate to say it, I realise that I'm losing stamina (J'ai appris ce mot avec Google translate.). I had forgotten the feeling of no longer knowing which part of the leg hurt me the most. But it's worth every sore muscle.

When I went to bed last night around 8 p.m., I was completely exhausted. That didn't stop me from waking up every hour until 1am, then 3am and finally 6am. It is always the same when the first night when I am not at home.  Despite everything, I felt quite rested when I woke up and ready to start a  beautiful new day.

I didn't rush and leave the flat at 9h15 this morning.  I choose to take the bus instead of the tube even if the journey takes much longer: double in fact, 40 minutes.  I wanted to enjoy a little tour from Little Venice to Trafalgar Square. In the buses and the tube, the majority of people do not wear the mask. I put mine in transport. I had a thought for Julie on the ride because the bus passed on Oxford Street and I saw the store where she bought her pink running shoes.

I wandered around Trafalgar Square for a bit, then walked in hoping to take a coffee break at the National Museum restaurant.  I had to change my plans, since the restaurant is closed and only the small basement cafe is open. So I went out and found a suitable place between Trafalgar and Piccadilly Circus.

There is always a new interesting sculpture in front of the museum. This year it's an ice cream cone with a cherry on the top.  It is the way I feel being in London: with a cherry on the top!

I then got lost in London's Chinatown. It is a district that I have visited very little, having passed by on rare occasions. I took the time today to enjoy it.

In fact, I thought I was advancing towards Covent Garden, but in the end, I was moving away from it. I circled around a bit and then arrived at Covent Garden on the opposite side to where I thought I was. My great sense of direction  😏!!

It was 12:30 when I arrived, so I looked for an interesting place for lunch. I found a charming little French restaurant: Chez Antoinette. It was fun to chat a little in French with the owners.  Helen, you would have liked their carrot soup.

I then took the tube to go to the British Library. I was really looking forward to seeing the exhibition of the words of Paul McCartney. How I love this place: calm, airy and above all full of knowledge.  I didn't really learn anything new. It's actually a summary of what's in his book that I got for Christmas. However, it is touching to read, see photos and hear his music at the same time.

In the mid-afternoon, I came back for a rest and I start the blog of the day.

Tonight, my first plan was to stay home but I really feel like having a proper Fish and Chip.  I went at a pub call Prince Albert.  When I tasted green pea puree with mint that remind me how Josée Deslauriers found it delicious when she ate her first fish and Chip in London.  It was early and I was alone in the place on the dinner side.  The bar was full tho.  I came back home at the time I usually go out for supper. 

I am relaxing now, before going to bed early again tonight.  

PS.  Feel free to comment on the blog.

YEAH!! I am back in London!

 I was loosing all my hopes to go back in London in a close future. With this endless pandemic, my hopes were upside down. After a decent flight and with a few hours of interrupted sleep, I finally arrived safely  and happy in London. A dream come true!

British Airways has proven that it is still a respectable company. It's not luxury, but the service is courteous and attentive. They don't skimp on anything. I expected more security at Heathrow because of the pandemic, but it's even simpler than before. We don't even talk to a customs officer. The locator form is transmitted directly when filled in online, so no one needs to check if it is done. I took the train from Heathrow and 40 minutes later I was in my little flat.  It is tiny, but clean and confortable.  

Once well installed, I went to brunch in a small cafe in the middle of a garden centre. It was gorgeous and delicious.

I was a bit busy for an arrival day. I did nearly 17,000 steps. I visited the neighborhood which seems very nice to me. Spring is coming to London. The trees are starting to bloom and the garden center was full of customers.

I am now back home after a visit in front Paul house.  I wrote the blog, I will have supper and good night everybody!

P.S.  For the new people reading the blog, please be indulgent for my English which sometimes needs google translator.

Avant...

 Avant, c'était simple.  On choisissait la destination, les dates de départ et retour puis on rêvait à ce qui pouvait se passer entre ces deux dates.  Maintenant, il faut s'informer des restrictions à l'aller comme au retour.  Les restrictions changent, il y en a moins, mais il en reste toujours.  C'est un stress qui fait de l'ombre au bonheur de s'en aller.  On dit souvent qu'il faut mettre dans la balance le risque et le bénéfice.  Toute action entraîne un risque... Dans mon cas, le bénéfice de partir l'emporte.  

Avant, le seul document officiel obligatoire était le passeport.  Maintenant, ça prend le passeport, les preuves vaccinales et pour l'entrée en Angleterre: le Locator form.  Pour le retour, j'ai encore besoin du passeport, les preuves vaccinales, un test Covid (rapide ou PCR, au choix) et compléter l'application ArriveCan.  En prime, je peux être sélectionnée à l'arrivée, de façon aléatoire, pour un test PCR.  

Ça peut sembler beaucoup de restrictions, mais il y a à peine un mois, les restrictions étaient encore  beaucoup plus strictes.  Je pense que les applications comme le Locator form et ArriveCan sont là pour rester.  Ça deviendra la nouvelle normalité.  Aussi bien s'y faire.  Bon, il reste sept dodos.✈

Je veux tellement y retourner!

 Je retourne à Londres du 26 février au 6 mars prochain.  Une visite éclair, parce qu'il faut que j'y aille.   Je n'en peux plus d'attendre.   J'hésite à le dire et même à l'écrire par crainte de ne pas pouvoir y aller.  Ce qui m'en empêcherait c'est ce sacré virus qui nous pourrit la vie depuis deux ans.  Je ne dois pas l'attraper après le 21 février.  Je dois tester négatif au test PCR que le Canada exige pour mon retour.  Pour le reste, pas de problème.  Étant complètement vaccinée, je n'ai pas de test à passer à mon arrivée à Londres.  

J'ai acheté mon billet d'avion et réservé mon Airbnb en novembre, lorsque le Canada a levé toutes les restrictions pour voyages non-essentiels.  Deux semaines plus tard les restrictions revenaient.  :-(  

Le billet d'avion est échangeable et l'hébergement est annulable sans frais jusqu'au 22 février.  J'ai aussi communiqué avec les assurances; si je suis malade je suis couverte.  Si je dois annuler à cause de la COVID, je suis assurée.  Si je dois rester sur place suite à un résultat positif au retour, mon hébergement supplémentaire et mes dépenses quotidiennes ne sont pas assurés.  C'est le risque.  Il y a toujours un risque avec les assurances.  

Croisez vos doigts pour moi.  J'ai besoin de partir.  Je vous donne les détails de mon projet prochainement.