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BELFAST – LYON

The chateau of dreams. Well after the usual late packing and not being able to decide which drone and lenses to bring I can confirm I am becoming more and more indecisive, something that I’ll work on along with my patience.

WHY DO I NEVER EVER LEARN!

The last airport bus I could get was due to leave at 2:30 and I thought being that early in the morning getting a taxi would be pretty straight forward but I forgot it was a weekend where the bars had just kicked everyone out and the festival on the otherside of the city had 10,000 drunk kids looking a way home

WHERE IS SAINT FLOUR?

DESPERATION

“Call back at 3pm” the guy said.

The airport was 2 hours away so that ruled out everything else. So I took my chances and jumped outside. I was becoming so desperate that I resorting to attempting to stop random people who seemed to get a fright more than anything else.

ANYONE WOULD DO

All I needed to do was get one of them to put their window down and talk to me, persuading them after that was the easy part. After a few unsuccessful hand gestures I had a brainwave, head to the traffic lights where they have no option but to stop.

To begin with I was targeting taxi drivers, delivery drivers and anyone else who I thought wouldn’t mind. All seemed willing to help but had either a pickup around the corner or a kebab to deliver! Time was of the essence now and I had 10minutes to get a taxi, drive to the station and make it to the bus.

Birds eye view at Chateau Varillettes in Lyon, France. The chateau of dreams

FINALLY

By this stage I was planning the next option, do I drive the two hours south? Do I taxi it, the night was going to be long enough without that hassle. But out of pure luck (I had stopped waving and hassling) a taxi seen I was standing on the side of the road with a suitcase and assumed I needed a lift. Whatever happened to ‘if you don’t ask you don’t get?’

I was so shocked I felt the need to ask him if he was stopping for me, even though there was no one else to be seen! I told him my predicament and he was kind enough to risk a few penalty points to get me there, not all hero’s wear capes, some work for Value Cabs!

Birds eye view at Chateau Varillettes in Lyon, France. The chateau of dreams

LYON

Airports are a funny sort of place when you are catching a flight in the middle of the night. People are more akin to zombies rather than fully functional human beings. I think I might be growing out of the “I don’t mind red eye flights phase”.

After a sleepy flight I arrived in Lyon and had a quick search for a rental car and accommodation. It was then I came across Château Varillettes and I booked it on the spot, the photos were incredible and for under £100 it wasn’t a bad deal.

Birds eye view at Chateau Varillettes in Lyon, France. The chateau of dreams

THE CHATEAU

The 3 hour journey in my Renault Twingo was a challenge after a red eye flight and I ended up parking in a lay-by for a quick power nap which turned into almost an hours full blooded sleep! Arriving at the Chateau it was every bit as special as the photos. The grounds were stunning and the building was like something out of a fairy tale. The room wasn’t bad either, lacked some air con but was only a problem because France was experiencing a heatwave, 35C in the evenings!

David Simpson walking the grounds at Chateau Varillettes in Lyon, France. The chateau of dreams

STAFF

After a bit of time flying my drone and refilling the car with petrol it was time for dinner in the dungeon. To be completely honest the food wasn’t great, nor was the wine he recommended but generally the staff were very helpful and couldn’t be faulted, considering my non existent French! I find pleasant staff can always turn an average experience into a good one.

Waiting room at Chateau Varillettes in Lyon, France. The chateau of dreams

NEXT UP

A once in a lifetime opportunity tomorrow when I go to fly with the birds tomorrow! Click to read.

SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
133/229

This is episode 1 of The Algeria Series,
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.

Question Time

  • Have you ever missed a flight?
  • What did you do?

Let me know in the comments below . . .

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THE WEST AFRICA SERIES PT1, REFLECTION POST
FLYING WITH THE BIRDS

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