Well we survived having numerous doses of Covid and we’re eager to spread our wings again. So we’ve decided to chase the Christmas Markets throughout Europe and UK. Not ‘all’ of them. Wish we could but we’ve selected a few that’ll keep us busy. We’re leaving Australia in November and coming back in January, so we won’t be ‘only’ visiting Christmas Markets as they close down the day after Christmas Day. But there’s plenty to do besides shopping, drinking and eating.

Now we’re expert packers and usually take two small 4 wheelie suitcases. But this time we decided to only take one soft bag with two wheels and a backpack. The reason being that it’s easier for two people to grab a strap each on a soft bag than it is for two people to carry two hard cases. So one bag it is.

This is the first time that we will be only travelling in one season. So the packing was simple. Tops, pants, boots, jackets, beanies, scarves and gloves. Most of which will be on us. So twenty kilos between two of us is packed and ready to go.

Thursday saw I heading to the airport in 34 degrees Celsius. Flew Brisbane to Sydney then boarded Emirates flight to Dubai and on to Heathrow where it was a lovely 4 degrees. What happened to the other 30? Picked up our hire care – normal routine of “sorry we don’t have any cars of the type you ordered”. Blah Blah Blah. Meanwhile they have a car park full of every type of vehicle possible. I stood my ground and they funnily found one for me with the satnav and rear camera that I had ordered and paid for. A night little – supposedly mid size – Vauxhall Mokka. Set the satnav to Burford in the Cotswalds about an hour and a half away. Our room at the Mill is amazing with views over the Windrush River and the mill stream.

Don’t know why we complained about the cold. The next day it rained and rained and the next day it flooded. But didn’t bother us. There was no rain in the pub down the road with its burning fire and warm friendly atmosphere!