So the day finally came where I some months back took the first step to making more effort to get out and travel. Will it continue into the new year? Who knows but at least right now I am out there and doing more than potentially I could be doing at home. Its not the best feeling being away from the everyonel but a welcome break spending time with the family I rarely get a chance to speak to let alone be able to sit across the table and had a lengthy discussion over a glass of wine!
Hold that thought for a sec and I’ll rewind a few hours, maybe more and go back to the day when for a moment we might have thought England had a chance to get the win win over France and through to the semi final of the World Cup in Qatar 2022.
Pretty much most of the Saturday had been a non-event with the regular shopping trips in tow but mainly I had been packing ready to go to visit my family in Switzerland. I generally pack light but making the most of the additional baggage allowance I had paid for (a measly £8.99 each way), It made sense to clearly try and pack everything I’d ever need in and more for a week. I was torn between how many jackets I would need, being as it had recently snowed, how many scarves, woolly hats, shoes etc, would be necessary. Basically, if I could fit it in the cases, it came with me. I even bought the gym clothes, who knows what might happen, I might get the urge to go running.
So bags packed, passport and wallet stuffed with cash and cards I was ready. Time to let my hair down and go and cheer on England down at the local. Friends and family were present and we found decent place which we could see the TV over everyone’s heads and be at close enough proximity to buy a beer. The pub was in full effect and the ambiance was full of promise of how we would thrash the French, Morocco afterward would be breeze and no matter what – it was coming home.
Fast forward less than 20 minutes in and the French had dealt a blow to that promise but subdued hearts remained upbeat until a denied penalty had fans screaming at the ref to watch VAR. Alas this was not meant to be this time round but soon after a penalty was awarded and Kane levelled us one all in the 54th minute. The pub erupted and we were back on track, just needed to keep calm and carry on.
Disillusion came 24 minutes later when Giroud scored for France upping them 2-1. Was this curtains for England? Perhaps not, when another Penalty was awarded to England in the 81st minute. Kane so convincing of the first, stepped up to take the shot and while the nation held its breath and bit their nails, he sky rocketed the ball over the net in what would have been an awesome conversion in rugby but unfortunately being the wrong sport, our chances went with the miscalculated shot over the top of the goal.
Efforts were in vain and in the dying minutes of the game it was inevatble that England was going home. A valiant effort but fellshort of what was needed to be convincing enough to win.
Next morning it probably felt as if it was for the best that I hadn’t partied hard potentially celebrating the England win as it was time to get going. Usually I am extremely conservative with the time and end up at the airport with a good 3 hours or so to spare, yet flying from such a smaller airport which was also so much closer than the London airports, I felt confident enough to allow myself a minimum amount of time to get there.
In true typical ferry fashion, an issue occurred on the ferry an delays were to be expected. I made the choice to get ASAP to the ferry in order to put myself in good stead of being there on time. Further traffic delays frustrated the journey to the boat and if that wasn’t bad enough, it start pelting down with snow! Yet, miraculously I did manage to get to the ferry on time and with enough to spare to be advised that the delays were now unlikely to have any affect. Happy days, I could relax.
Prior to getting on board the flight, my cousin contacted me from Lisbon. He had been on a working holiday and flight returning to Geneva was delayed to the point whereby he would arrive soon after I landed.
The flight was quick to board and took off ahead of schedule. I had checked in prior to arriving at the airport and I was forced to sit in a middle between the aisle and window unless I wanted to pay the additional costs to change and chose seating. As the flight was only an hour and a half flight so I wasn’t fussed. A stewardess approached and kindly offered me, once on board to change seating whereby I had the entire three seats to myself, no kids, no annoying people around me and I had an incredibly relaxed, chilled out flight.
My cousin and I met in the arrivals lounge soon after we both landed and managed to catch up in the car before arriving at our destination. I would have previously needed to await the train from Geneva to the end destination, the lift I was now being offered meant no additional cost and a more rapid transport to my aunt and uncles.
These small wins made me think how fate sometimes deals some weird combinations of events. One minute I am fighting to get somewhere on time and the next I’m chilled out and loving the experience as it unfolds for the better.
I’m not one to specifically believe fate but I love how these little good things play out,. clearly, when there is a positive outcome! While some of us always look at the negative and seem to dwell on these, the last few months of this year have turned my head around 180 degrees to consider what opportunities and better fortune materialise when you don’t look for it. Putting this with the new acquaintances I have met and become friends with, this year has turned out better than ever and presented great experiences when I least expected.
Small wins make all the difference and I’ll take as many of these as fate decides to offer me.
Spot the Eiffel Tower (top left).