Holiday in Geneva

Woke at 1.50am and set off in pitch dark. Stopped for a loo at J19 only to find we could not get back on M1 so went through Northampton to J15. Got to Luton Airparks about 4:45am and checked the car in. We were reassured that on the way back, if we are late, we have until midnight before extra charges set in. We chose Airparks because it is the cheapest car park although it takes about half an hour after dropping off the car to get to the terminal. We checked in fine although we could have gone to the Fast Check in and saved a bit of time.

Got through security quickly, had a drink then went to the departure lounge and straight onto the plane. Took off early and the flight soon passed and we arrived at Geneva in bright, warm sun at 9:50am local time. Andrew and Becky met us at the airport and then drove us to the UN. I then took the car and drove Margaret and myself to Divonne les Bains.

It was remarkably easy to follow the directions from the UN to Divonne (this was our first attempt). Arriving at Divonne, we soon recognised the landmarks and headed straight for Andrew's Chalet. It is a beautiful place nestled in the hills and overlooking Lake Divonne with Lake Geneva further down the hill on the horizon.On a clear day Mt Blanc can be seen in the distance.

We ate some lunch and then set off for Divonne Town Centre. Our first port of call was our favourite café / bar - Charly's Pub where we both had a milky coffee at 1.90 euros each. Charly's is named after Charlie Chaplin and inside they have some interesting décor representing the great man. Then we had a quiet walk around Divonne and enjoyed the delights of the river which runs through town. The sun was warm - around 28deg - as we wandered lazily beside the river and past the shops. We heard a guitarist playing in a garden and I videoed him for a while - he was very good. We gathered later that it was in a restaurant's garden away from the diners.

Divonne is a spa town and the river adds a healing and wholeness effect to our visit. The masses of flowers, beautifully maintained at the roadsides made for an even more pleasant walk 

Our drive back to the UN to pick up Andrew & Becky was difficult to say the least. Three times we navigated a stretch of road not realising that our first instincts had been right. It all went wrong at Geneva airport. Fortunately the rush hour had passed. Arrived at the UN in blazing early evening sun and cooled off after the drive.