It was a standard Saturday routine if not entirely in form, given that Jay was nursing the familiar post-vaccine malaise from yesterday’s twin flu and COVID jabs. We made our customary morning grocery run, though with a distinctly restrained basket. With a mere fortnight remaining before our winter departure, the larder strategy has shifted to ruthless depletion.
Because the power to the apartment gets shut down entirely while we are away, leaving a single forgotten condiment to fend for itself is out of the question. Jay is an absolute master of logistics on this front; by the time departure morning arrives, the refrigerator will be stripped bare, meticulously wiped, and completely food-free.
Our upcoming arrival at Gatwick on November 2nd marks a long overdue return to standard British sightseeing. We will establish base camp in Southampton for five nights before embarking on the cruise to Rio de Janeiro on November 7th. Having not properly played city tourists in London since 2005, a dedicated day trip by rail is firmly on the docket, along with potential runs out toward Stonehenge. Besides, with fresh Electronic Travel Authorizations in hand, one may as well squeeze every drop of value from them; June will see us back again for an extended wander across the realm.