SWCP 2018

Our plan is to fly standby courtesy of daughter Bonnie who works for Virgin International. Starting from from Brisbane to Sydney with Virgin, then with Etihad from Sydney to London via Abu Dhabi.  Once in London, we take the Heathrow Express to Paddington station where we catch a Countrt train to Taunton.  After a day in Taunton shopping and buting a few bits and pieces, it’s a 1hr bus ride to Minehead, the start of the walk in Somerset.

Well that was the plan until the flights from Abu Dhabi to London became full in both Business and Economy and a hurried decision was made to go to Paris where recent terrorist events has stemmed the flow of tourists.  A quick google check came up with a flight by Flybe from Paris CDG to Exeter, just a short distance to our original destinations of Taunton and Minehead.

At 8am Kane gives us a lift to Brisbane Domestic where we catch the 10am Virgin flight to Sydney.  A short bus ride to Sydney International where we check into Etihad and are wonderfully surprise to find we have the last two Business Class seats in standby on an A380 at 3.15pm.  Time to celebrate with Bonnie’s carrot cake and a coffee while waiting for teh  flight which departs on time .  A really comfortable night watching movies. enjoying a lovely meal, and catching a few hours sleep before arriving 14 hrs later in Abu Dhabi and midnight. 

Again, we’re lucky enough to score two Business Class seats from Abu Dhabi to Paris on an A380 that’s only half full.  More movies, a short nap, a lovely breakfast before arriving 6hrs 30mins later in Paris at 7.30am where we are relieved to find our one checked in bag. A short walk from Terminal 2A to 2E to wait for the afternoon Flybe flight to Exeter. Time to do some booking.com now that we know for sure which day we are starting the walk.