George, Western Cape, South Africa
Another exciting trip ahead of us: 9 weeks in one of our favourite countries, South Africa. We left home on Wednesday 11th January at 9.30am and drove a few miles to the home of Dana Vaughan, our lovely friend who had offered to take us into Loches to catch a bus to Tours. From there we took the TGV to Paris where we flew Air France to Johannesburg. As we get older, we allow more and more time to get to each destination, and it has to be admitted there was a great deal of hanging about. However, no panics, and we boarded and left Paris at 11.15pm.
Our ten hour flight was on time and we arrived at 8.15am local time. With two hours to spare before our connection to George, and confident that our luggage would be transferred automatically, we were happy and relaxed. Air France had assured us nothing could go wrong.
The flight to George took about an hour and a half and we waited patiently at the carousel for our luggage to appear. That sinking feeling set in when the machine came to a halt and there was no sign of our bags.
The son-in-law of our exchangers here in George, Michael, waited patiently whilst we went to the Air Link desk to report our missing suitcases. There we were advised we should have taken the luggage from the carousel in Johannesburg, gone through customs with them and then checked them in again for the George flight. They were not particularly optimistic about the recovery of the bags, but we were assured they would do their best.
With nothing more than the clothes we had travelled in and no toiletries whatsoever, it was a grim prospect. Not a good start to a holiday. The beauty of this lovely old house where we are staying helped to revive our lagging spirits and a large double bed in a beautiful bedroom beckoned.
Fairview was first registered in 1861 and it was originally a big cattle and apple farm. It has changed hands several times and when the current owners, Philda and Desmond, took it on in 1995, it was much neglected. They have restored it so beautifully and a breath-taking garden surrounds it.
There's no shortage of shopping malls here in George so we equipped ourselves with new wardrobes and attempted to relax and stop worrying about the lost bags. I'm pleased to say after many phone calls and messages flying backwards and forwards between us and the airport, our luggage arrived in George on day three. We now have far too many clothes, but at least we are reunited with our computers, medicines and all the other paraphernalia we think so necessary to cart around the world!
Denise
2023-01-18
Wow! What a beautiful house and gardens, make the most of it as I’m sure you will. Xx
Peter & Wendy
2023-01-18
Needless to say I am absoutely green with envy that you are in RSA, so I may not speak to you again for a least 3 days! I hope the sun is shining on you and that the SA wine is up to its usual standard. It snowed here last night..............
Dana
2023-01-18
Looks lovely and glad the luggage arrived!
Jennifer
2023-01-18
Hooray you got your bags. I now do travel with afew clothes & pills in a carry-on having had 2 delays & overnight stays in hotels. The house & garden look lovely. Enjoy.xx
Mike
2023-01-19
That awful dilemma! Waiting for luggage that never arrives or in this case late!! Beautiful gardens!
Noelene
2023-01-19
Stunning house and gardens, enjoy your beautiful surroundings.
Karyn
2023-01-21
WooHoo! Another armchair travel experience to follow. First episode had it all! Love the house. kx
Suzette
2023-01-21
I am happy that you got your bags on day 3, rather late than never! Enjoy your stay in George and I hope you have good weather.