Our France Vacation 2015 - Bandol Again!!!: 2014 - En route to Provence & Cote d'Azur

It is that time of the year to head to France (actually it is so much later than usual due to school schedule). We have been looking forward to this trip so much. First of all, we get to visit my favorite place in France (to date), Lourmarin. We will stay in the village for a few days before we head to the Cote d'Azur for our first vacation on the Mediterranean. This is our first trip to France that we have opted to stay in hotels or rent an apartment with no company. A true family vacation is on the horizon. Although I am certain we will miss the camaraderie of our friends and family, especially Pappy & Grammy. This year will definitely be an adjustment for us to not have Pappy & Grammy for our French antics.

Last minute snacking before we load into Uber.

My sweet baby (and ALL our luggage)

Ubering to DFW

DFW Airport (PLEASE let our luggage be under 50 lbs)

Ahhhh, vacation has started. Early dinner at III Forks/Terminal D has to be better than the nonsense they serve on the plane.

Gros Bisous

Who wouldn't want some ice cream before we board the plane??

DaDa is sporting our must-have travel accessory - our fur blankey!

We have a new travel companion, London's baby Melody

Cozy on the plane with full Disney movie access (Thank you British Airways)

Our flight from Dallas to London Heathrow was pretty easy. Our seats were fine and the endless movie selection certainly helped. Although my London fell asleep 45 minutes into the flight and slept until 30 minutes before landing. Need I say again that this was quite an easy flight!

We have landed in London!!! Time to purchase the neverending supply of London souvenirs!! It was quite fun for London (the kid) to see her name all over London (the airport). Needless to say we have accumulated many touristy goods that say London.

Once we made it to our terminal we were ready for a snack. Unfortunately we were not in the terminal that I remember so fondly with the amazing shopping and champagne bar!! Hopefully we will be in that terminal on the way home. Don't the soldes/sales in Europe happen in July??? Could be great timing. Instead we found a pub in the airport for lunch. I couldn't help myself as we looked at the menu.....I am ready for French menus! Bangers & Mash (I'm still not sure what that is), Bridge Broth ( I certainly don't know what that is, although I learned after Steve ordered it. He loves soup, of any kind), Cornish Sardines - no thanks, Spinach on toast - no, Beef & Open Pie - Yikes! And their attempt to make Boeuf Bourguignon made me shutter.

Everything turned around when Steve asked the bartender if he could make a Snakebite. This would be my favorite drink while I studied abroad. Half cider, half ale and a shot of something fruity, blackcurrant I believe. I think that my palate has changed since college - this was the SWEETEST drink I have had in a long time. But for nostalgia sake, I was going to drink it!

YUM.....so sweet!

Yes, I drank these in college. I am certain I wouldn't drink them regularly at this point.

Yes, Steve. I am determined to finish this super-sweet drink!

The only way that I knew how to get this Snakebite Sweetness down was to accompany it with a proper order of Fish & Chips and of course HP Sauce. It seems like a perfect time to introduce London (the kid) to the yumminess of the food of London (the city).

Once we finished lunch we headed to the wonderfully located airport Harrods. London (the kid) fell in love with the Harrods 1500 pound($) stuffed bear. That certainly won't fit in the weight limits of the airlines. Why in the world is that for sale in an airport???? How does one get this purchase home???