My flight to Rejkjavik was smooth, but As with the beginning of most vacations, that first day is a little rough around the edges. Add in a couple siblings and the fun really begins.

Met up with Andrew and Mindi in the Keflavik airport, had some breakfast. The weather was raw and windy and raining sideways, which I’m guessing is a pretty typical day in Iceland. But we had to walk outside to the tarmac and up a portable set of steps to get in the plane. That would have been fine, but it turns out the plane had a flat, so that had to be changed.

Went on our way, landed in Paris with no problems. We made our way to the Avis counter to pick up our car…and they didn’t have it. Had the reservation, just not the car. In the meantime, we were waiting for Tim and Ann to arrive from Orly, where Icelandair had taken them instead of the Charles DeGaulle airport. Tried out the car Avis had and no go. Five adults + luggage in a small space = no way. Waited for the car we’d actually reserved to arrive. All of this is silly stuff and makes you realize 1) that you really should have brushed up on your French and 2) these are truly first-world problems.

Drove up to Cambrai to settle in for the night. Stayed at Le Chateau de la Motte Fenelin, which was lovely. More later.