Marseille; Thursday, 10 December, 2015

A very quick and scarily easy journey across town had me arriving into Heathrow less than 90 minutes after hitting shutdown on my work PC. I thought it couldn’t last, and it didn’t as I hit the considerable queue in security caused by every other bag being pulled over for checking. Needless to say mine was one of them.

Eventually through security at least it meant I didn’t have long to wait before my flight was called and I made my way to the gate and onto the plane. We were all closed up and ready to go around 15 minutes early, but then went on a long wander around the airfield at Heathrow meaning we didn’t reach the end of the runway for nearly 45 minutes.

A comfortable and smooth journey later, and a stunning final approach along the Marseille coast, we landed, cleared immigration and customs and a short while later I was on the shuttle bus to the centre of town.

From the station I walked the mile or so, thankfully all downhill, to the hotel – making a mental note that on the way back I’d use the tram and metro, even if it did take longer.

After checking in and dropping my stuff off I headed out of the hotel for a quick wander around the old port area near the hotel, taking in some of the key sights, before heading back to the hotel and turning in for the night.