277. Emigrating

Geneva

Packing in this family is a serious process, not to be rushed. In order to maximise the experience it is also an opportunity to sort clothes, books and storage. Add to this, realising that our car (Grandarse) left in the UK has neither a MOT nor registration so obviously no insurance to boot. Trying to organise someone to euthanise our Disco a workshop to look at our Disco added a bit of focus.

Phoned at eight thirty and secured a same day MOT inspection at Maidenhead Tyres & Autocare, UK (phew) then phoned Jago who is storing the car and he kindly dropped it in for a four pm inspection.

One pm was the set departure time so was pleasantly surprised we we vacated the camping ground for Geneva Airport at two. Geneva airport is, surprisingly, in Switzerland. Released as we approached the border that we only had Jacqueline and Audrey's passports with us. Thought we had made it through the border when an armed policeman waved us over, couldn't believe it, we are good folk!

Swiss Road Vignette

Turns out that, for Swiss motorways, you need a Swiss tax sticker (Vignette) on the windscreen. Of course, we had no Francs, so he went and got an FPos machine and our card wouldn't work..... with relief we handed him thirty euros when he said that was ok. One pays thirty francs road tax in Switzerland, once a year, for the windscreen sticker. Turns out we will need another for the Giantavan when we enter for the Matterhorn at the end of the month.

Made the airport with a few crazy detours, thanks for nothing Co-Pilot where the checkinchick informed us that we (I) had not booked bags. Jacqueline gave me that special look and I whimpered to both spouse and checkinchick that "I thought i had". Checkinchick was kind enough to admit the two bags and let us pay retail plus, which was more than the two flights, for the bags, we only needed to visit ticket sales on the other side of the terminal. Got a friendly reception from the Swiss Jacob Marley at the sales desk who after tapping away for a worryingly long time on her computer while I comforted my credit card prior to the thrashing it was about to receive in the iniquitous little machine on the countertop only to be informed that there was nothing to be paid, bags had been booked and paid at the time of booking. Jacqueline gave me a huge hug saying I knew you weren't a complete idiot and we made our way to security screening.

Departing the airport with the remaining three munching pretzels (no wonder Presidents choke, though I'm surprised he too had to pay for them) I got a cherry message from Maidenhead saying the Grandarse had passed - phew. Returned to camp and back paid the registration, six months being the minimum and delighted to see that that takes registration to the end of June which is all we need. Will SORN the Grandarse at the end of the month. Insurance is simple, the car left in workshop overnight for Jacqueline and Audrey to collect in the morning. Organised an Uber for LHR to meet them. Wonderful what can be done from a campground in the French Alps with a bit of 3G data and a lot of time.......

Holyport, UK

Cousins

Such excitement!
Aunty Jacqueline is back and
she's FASCINATED by snakes!

Jacqueline arrived safely with sister Elizabeth sending these two photos and caption.