London to Dublin

As I lay awake counting the minute until it was time to get up, 

I thought "it has a been very smooth so far, a bit too smooth. This leg might be time for the stress and travel quirks to begin."

I was right. 

Smooth wake up - alarm went off, nothing was forgotten, friends even broke slumber to say goodbye at 6am.

Walking to the station only to find it is closed and doesn't say when it opens. 

I follow other travellers who have happened on the same fate.

A bus stop, a complex timetable. I jump on a bus to a recognizable tube stop, not knowing how long or where it is. Just follow the travellers. 

Off at Victoria, smooth from here I think. Ticket purchased. Express train to the airport but not for 20 minutes. Still plenty of time when you get up well before an airport trip. 

On the train. Smooth sailing. Off we go, leaving the platform. 

Then the driver announces that the train will take 50 minutes not 20 due to diversions and Sunday times. 

Passengers curse and build on each other's frustration. Nothing can be done, we have left the station. 

I am still calm, not worried, not yet. There is plenty of time still to catch this jet.

Once there was a girl who's head was filled with all the curiosities of the world.

Four days, two cities. 

-3 or 7 degrees.

2 coats or a cardigan.

Italian, Japanese, German, Austrian or British cuisine.

Winter cringe and sparkling lights. 

Beautiful trees and costumed Santas. 

More to come but so much so far.

Friends flatmates, old and new. 

Mates met in Europe and Kiwi ones too. 

Travels continue more to see, people make places good company. 

The business of life is the acquisition of memories, 

in the end that's all there really is.

~ Carson in Downton Abbey

Food and Christmas

Forgetting sleep

Like riding a bike, can the skill of falling asleep too be forgotten?

Close eyes, lie flat, clear mind - wide awake.

Turn over, count sheep, pull up blankets - still here.

Where is this dreamland, so out of reach?

           A long practiced skill forgotten so fast.

                     Jolted      Awake as I start drifting off.

Snuggling, sailng,         slowly I sleep. 

...

Zero degrees in Vienna? 

Forty degrees in Melbourne.

Delicious Christmasy food?

Delicious Christmas baby.

Heading away and where to next?

Me? I'm homeward bound.

Vienna

Vienna is cold but barely white. 

I need to sleep but want to explore.

Yara is gyming while I am sleeping.

Then there will be lunch with her sister and mother, and friends to visit later as well.

Christmas markets galore and Bahnhofs to find.

Europe in Winter, cold, dark and devine.

Is it...?

Is it Winter or December? 

Is it day or night? 

Am I flying or landing? 

Am I snoozing or sleeping?

Am I tired or awake? 

Is it time to sleep or time to play ? 

Is it Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? 

Am I really here?

Can this really be?

I booked a ticket to Europe long ago 

but now here I be. 

Safe Travels x

You are soaring

Tonnes of metal

Floats in air?!

Happily I look forward

Not willing today over

Nor the week's end

Enjoying every day

I've wondered about plane food

I've forgotten where you stopover

I've imagined your first meal

I've packed in my head

I've lost the sleeping bag

You might have a white Christmas

I might miss you Christmas Day

You might miss me Christmas Day

I might plan our Christmas present

You will be able to Skype

We will have you there somehow.

Airport

Planes flying

Passengers waiting

Pilots boarding

People waving

Sky of blue

Sky of white 

Sky of day then

sky of night

Lift off, landing

Tarmat, trollies

Babies, baggage

Destination --> departed. 

Traveling together

"It is almost time" she said to the other,
"shall I go now or wait for another?"

"Destinations await, go now, go on
Don't worry," she said "I won't be long."

"How will I know where to find you again?"

"Just watch the snow fall and call out my name,
I'll be ready to meet you after my flight."

"Okay, I'll be ready with a hug so tight."
"Where will we go? How will we be?"

"What does it matter? There's so much to see!
We can explore, discover and find
all of the things that dance on the mind."

"And when I must leave, because I will do..."

"I will be better from traveling with you."