Black Forest--Muenstertal

Our nonstop flight to London Heathrow landed early and we started our hike out of Terminal 2 to the bus queue to take us to British Airways Terminal 5. There is no other way to get there. I did not need to retrieve my checked-in luggage which I was, hopefully, going to see in Basel. Terminal 5 was almost a breeze (went thru passport control and security) and we were early for our connecting flight on British Airways to Basel/Mulhouse Euro Airport. This flight was empty and the attendants very pleasing.  And, yes, my luggage did make it.  All for the mere price of 20k miles and $98.

The small EuroAirport is easy to maneuver and has car rentals on the Swiss and French side. Since our day of arrival was on a German holiday, we had to rent our car at the airport.  In a few days, we are going to swap out this airport car for a car rented in Loerrach, Germany (less expensive).  Meanwhile, Europcar, on the French side (less expensive than Swiss) upgraded us to an automatic (no extra charge) and after I figured out how to start the keyless car, we set my TomTom GPS for Muenstertal in the southern Black Forest.  

Haus Sonne

An easy drive to Haus Sonne put us into our own double room, with bathroom and lovely balcony.  After a traditional German sausage dinner at Adler Stube, it was time to curl up under the down comforter.  Love our automatic, blackout window shutters.  At 2 a.m. I awoke to the wonderful sound of a torrential thunderstorm.

On Our Way

Departing on an AA 777 from LAX, Marilyn and I had what we thought were great seats. In the middle of the plane, three rows from the back and each of us on the same row with aisle seats. The gal at check in said most anyone would trade us for those seats—they're in high demand. The middle two seats of our row were taken and little did we know what a challenge these two German gals (probably our age) would be. As I approached my seat, one of the gals looked at the seat arrangement up above the seat (D,E,F,G) and was in my seat. I saw that two rows of two window seats were empty and I attempted to communicate to her that if no one claims those seats, her and her friend could move there. Or, I could move there. Unfortunately, only one of those two-seater rows remained vacant. The German gal took my aisle seat. I said, no, they should take the two-seater and Marilyn and I want our seats (keeping the two in the middle free). Of course, she didn't agree with me and Marilyn said she would stay put. Since Marilyn and I wanted to talk, she convinced the German gal to switch aisle seats with her (only took about 10 minutes of hand movements and English) and we at least sat across the aisle from each other. Then one of the German ladies disappeared during the flight and the other German gal stretched out on all three seats with Marilyn sitting up in the aisle seat. My seat was very comfortable since I was one of two seats being occupied next to the window and in the back where three seats goes down to two.  

Other than the seat negotiations, this 777 flight was wonderful. There were at least 50 movies to choose from along with games, etc. to view on the seat back in front of us. Lots of leg room and a very smooth flight. That works for me!