A new Dawn around Europe Then the UK.

So to the Sofitel. Even though Mrsdrron’s gold status from QF hadn’t come through she still got an upgrade to a premium king room. Not sure what the difference is to the basic king she booked.
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And the view.
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We had a really good sleep. We also loved the fact that we got a bar of soap and little bottles of shampoo etc rather than those horrible dispensers.
 
We felt a little or hush for some reason so went down to restaurant. Mrsdrron had a chicken Caesar salad and I had fish and chip. Mrsdrron had a Loire sav blanc and I had an Italian Nebbiolo. It was OK.
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An 0600 start on Thursday morning for our flight to BCN. Unfortunately staying at the Sofitel you come into the terminal at the opposite end to the first class check in. But when we got there were 2 people in front of us but 6 agents to check them in. So very soon off to the passport check and as usual Mrsdrron goes first only to be told the gold member goes first. Oh the English.

Then to security with no one else there. It is everything out here plus insisted that shoes,belt all electronic and fluids out. Also insisted that I go through the X-ray rather than the body scanner. They backed down but got the last laugh as when I put my hands in the air because of my weight loss my pants fell down.

But at least no pat down. Very soon into the first class lounge and had a bit of brekkie. All the wines were out if you wanted any but we resisted the urge.

Went to the gate about 5 minutes before boarding was to start. It obviously going to be late. The agent made the usual spiel about the plane being late causing the delay. But then she added but it was only a couple of minutes late but because of the usual London shambles it will be about 30 minutes delay.

Boarding though was organised and efficient. When the doors closed the CSM came and talked to me and 1 other fellow. To me as well as welcoming me aboard said just ask if you want anything and you can have a drink whenever you want it. I did think of asking for champagne but thought it would be an English sparkling so didn’t. Obviously only 2 golds on the flight.

Service was excellent. There was a choice of a full English breakfast,poached eggs with a tomato ragout or muesli. I had the poached eggs and they were excellent. Runny and a deep orange coloured yolk. I also love tomatoes and mushrooms so it was a breakfast right up my alley.
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Other wise an uneventful flight and soon we had landed at BCN.
 
Service was excellent. There was a choice of a full English breakfast,poached eggs with a tomato ragout or muesli. I had the poached eggs and they were excellent. Runny and a deep orange coloured yolk. I also love tomatoes and mushrooms so it was a breakfast right up my alley.

That's one of the better airline brekkies I've seen in a while.
 
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English wine is rare and often expensive. In England, champagne means champagne and is never used to describe other sparkling wine.
... To me as well as welcoming me aboard said just ask if you want anything and you can have a drink whenever you want it. I did think of asking for champagne but thought it would be an English sparkling so didn’t.

Don't fall for the expensive french wines all the time. English Sparklings are very good these days. Rathfinney estate near Alfriston produce excellent Blanc de Noir and Blanc de Blancs. And Spanish Cava can also be very good.
 
English wine is rare and often expensive. In England, champagne means champagne and is never used to describe other sparkling wine.
Though it was a few years ago I had an English sparkling on BA in the F cabin and didn’t like it hence my reaction.
 
After arriving at BCN we did have to show the QR codes we were sent after filling in our Spanish entry form.
Then off to pick up our rental car. Had a senior moment thinking I had rented from Europcar when it was Alamo. Obviously they had run out of the category I had booked and offered all sorts of cars including a up market convertible which I wouldn’t have fitted in. Eventually offered a Lexus hybrid 250. But it didn’t have a GPS.

Thought I would get away with Google maps but wasn’t too good that first day. Mrsdrron didn’t appreciate the scenic detours. But eventually got to the Hotel Zentral in Zaragoza. It is in a good position with a Tourist bus stop close by and many public bus services that stop right outside. Also close to the main train station.
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A suite it turned out to be. Not bad value at EUR 235 for 2 nights.
The view
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Then off to pick up our rental car. Had a senior moment thinking I had rented from Europcar when it was Alamo. Obviously they had run out of the category I had booked and offered all sorts of cars including a up market convertible which I wouldn’t have fitted in. Eventually offered a Lexus hybrid 250. But it didn’t have a GPS.

Thought I would get away with Google maps but wasn’t too good that first day. Mrsdrron didn’t appreciate the scenic detours. But eventually got to the Hotel Zentral in Zaragoza.

Surely the Lexus had Apple CarPlay or Android Auto which would make an in-car GPS redundant?
 
Surely the Lexus had Apple CarPlay or Android Auto which would make an in-car GPS redundant?
Unfortunately all the instructions are in Spanish so even if I knew what you are saying I wouldn’t have a clue how to activate such systems.
Fortunately The next day I had worked out the best way on my iPhone. But did find out that if I am using it to navigate then I should use my camera for photos. Tomorrow I may be able to get to an Apple reseller and get a better way of recharging on the move.
 
Unfortunately all the instructions are in Spanish so even if I knew what you are saying I wouldn’t have a clue how to activate such systems.
Fortunately The next day I had worked out the best way on my iPhone. But did find out that if I am using it to navigate then I should use my camera for photos. Tomorrow I may be able to get to an Apple reseller and get a better way of recharging on the move.

There should be several USB ports or an inductive charger in a Lexus.

And it should be easy enough to change the language from ES to EN even without habla Espanol.
 
Unfortunately all the instructions are in Spanish so even if I knew what you are saying I wouldn’t have a clue how to activate such systems.
Fortunately The next day I had worked out the best way on my iPhone. But did find out that if I am using it to navigate then I should use my camera for photos. Tomorrow I may be able to get to an Apple reseller and get a better way of recharging on the move.
Should be easy to find the language settings. Try this

 
Having never driven a Lexus before and only planning on getting a USB connection for my iphone tomorrow it really wasn't an option. Besides the google maps worked well and only 2 blips as A-21 is gradually being built and on 2 roundabouts an extra exit for construction access that google didn't know about so gave the wrong number of the exit. Soon learnt to recognise that.

Now on with the TR, And here is a picture of the back of our lexus in the free street parking. The same 3 cars were there for 36 hours. Beat paying EUR 12 per night for the hotel parking.
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The hotel.
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And up the hill the hotel built over the main railway station,
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Across the street the parking lot that was made for Expo 2008.
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The bridge built to conn.ect the Expo sites on both sides of the river.
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We decided to just do the hop on hop off bus. Doesn't get great reviews but told the car parks in town are the wor places of Zaragoza's car thieves. So now shots from the bus.
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And this is how crowded the bus was leaving for the third trip of the day
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Loved the tree lined streets even though the trees blocked some views.
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I have booked the Chicken Rice for next Wednesday so I am glad to hear that it was nice.
I just had this boon tong kee chicken rice from SIN-MEL yesterday. It's like the chicken has been in the microwave for 5 mins too long. But my partner reported that his from 2 years ago was OK.

There are 2 types of chicken rice on the book the cook. I had the other one 2 years ago and it was not that good either.
 
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The train station.
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And back to the main expo site.
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Apedestrian bridge built for Expo.
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The last building has become a hotel and it's restaurant has a good reputation.
There is also a great area for kids.
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