Mont St Michel and Paris

A lot has happened since our last blog including a train crash (seriously) and a magnificent time in Mont St Michel and Paris. More about the train crash later.

Mont St Michel (MSM)
This is one breathtaking place. Its an historic Abbey built on a rock of an island and is surrounded by water when the tide comes in. We witnessed the change in tide from miles of sand to being surrounded by the sea. Lovely accommodation and spent the day exploring the Abbey and surrounding village. Way too many photos to do the place justice.

MSM to Paris (the train crash)
We left MSM and caught a bus to Rennes where we jumped onto a fast express train to Paris. About 20 minutes into the journey we heard some debris hit the side of the train (travelling probably at 160km/h). Paul witnessed a car being flung into a pole and that was that. The train came to an abrupt halt, and that's where we stayed for 3 hours while things got cleaned up. We returned to Rennes and jumped onto another train, eventually getting to Paris 6 hours late. Thankfully we met up with the Palmers and Bennetts for a lovely night out.

Paris
The last 4 days have been spent all over Paris. Notre Dame, walk along the river, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph, Sacre Coeur (a big church), boat along the river, Versailles, Champs Elysees, past (not into) the Louvre, the Moulin Rouge area, and a whole heap of other stuff. Too many wonderful sights and too many  photos taken.

The Parisian architecture is lovely. Lots of 5-7 story buildings with planter boxes etc. Narrow streets. We sorted the underground rail quickly and with Steve and Sharon, have averaged about 15km walking each day not including the steps up and down towers.

We leave this lovely city tomorrow and head for Dubai for a few nights, before getting home on Thursday. The fairy tale is coming to an end, but after living from our suit cases for 6 weeks, we are also looking forward to being home with the family.

Love Paul and Judith

Last 2 days in London, Jersey and St Malo

On the Wednesday in London the weather was rather wet and soggy so we decided to do things inside. We visited Harrods and the Art Gallery. Felt rather under dressed for Harrods and we were quite wet by the time we got there as we decided to walk before it started raining! One dress was 2,700 pounds and was a little out of our price range. We then found the food hall and were amazed at all the lovely goodies on offer to buy. After looking at all the beautiful cakes Paul's comment to Judith was 'We could go halves in a scone!". We did end up buying a couple of nice things to share. The caviar was also out of our price range.

On the Thursday we walked around London to places which we had been to in the first 4 days just to recap and also see them in sunshine. In the evening we went to see The Lion King.

We left London on Friday morning, and employing the 'Just in time' management strategy caught our flight to Jersey. The plan was to catch the tube to another rail station and then the Gatwick Express train to the airport. Just no one told us the tube didn't start operating until 6am. We lost 15 mins waiting at the tube and another 15 mins waiting for the Gatwick Express, to just get our baggage onto the plane with 2 mins to spare. A 35 min flight and we were in Jersey by 10am.

We met another of Judith's long-term friends - Jennifer - and spent 3 days with her and her daughters.

The rest of Friday was wet so we generally drove 1/2 of the island and went to a local zoo.
Saturday was spent firstly in the War Tunnels and then at a Castle on the coast line.
Out for an awesome seafood feast with Jennifer and Andy.
Sunday included another drive around the awesome coastline and an extended walk.
Paul then cooked for the family that evening - having 5 weeks withdrawl from the kitchen.

This morning we awoke and caught the ferry to St Malo in France. Plans haven't gone quite to plan as the hotel was not available until 4:30pm and we've lugged bags with us for most of the day. We were able to leave then in the reception of another hotel as long as we bought coffee or wine....two glasses of blanc seemed like a reasonable price for luggage minding.

Once we had dropped our luggage off we walked the wall around the old part of St Malo.
Only half a day here before heading off to Mont St Michel tomorrow.

Goodbye from me and my new friend.

P&J

London - Take 2

We spent Sunday with Judith's friend (Branka) and her family just outside of London. They were the ultimate hosts and we had a lovely time with them. Bessy was being hard to get along with and had closed Windsor Castle on Sunday....the very day we wanted to see inside. Apparently something to do with the annual scout ceremony. Paul tried explaining that he used to be the grand poo-bar of the best Scout Group in the whole of Australia, but it accounted for nothing and we were escorted 'out' before even getting to the front door.

Many thanks to tour-guide Pete and Branka for showing us the sights of Eton and Windsor and to their girls for giving up their bathroom.

Monday morning we returned our car after 3 weeks and 2,900 miles around the UK, and caught the train back to London.

That afternoon, and today, we have spent time on foot covering a lot of territory while the sun is shining.

Trafalgar, Piccadilly, Hyde Park (again), Buck Palace, Pall Mall, Oxford Street, Covent Gardens, and ultimately St Pauls Cathedral.....which by the way is freeking awesome. We also climbed the 500+ steps to the top of the dome for a wonderful outlook over London.

We were going to queue and watch the changing of the guard, but the wall deep people already in place with over an hour to go was ridiculous....so we saw the guards ride down The Mall which was just as good.

Traf Square

Buck Palace

Horses at end of changing the guards

St Pauls Cathedral....apparently you're not meant to take pics inside....so lets keep it our secret. :-)

We remain well...although philosophical...about the coming two weeks left.

Love to everyone

P+J

Lakes District - Chester

Today is a milestone being 4 weeks this weekend since we arrived in London....and boy we have managed to squeeze a bit in!

Having left Lake District we drove through Hawkshead a village famous for Beatrix Potter (Harry's sister?). A quaint little village of 'chocolate box' standard. Note the weather has changed and is now somewhat greyer.

Then into Warrington to meet Judith's half brother on her dad's side of the family. A wonderful meeting with a few surprises.

While in Warrington we wizzed down the road to check-out Chester - a town best known for its buildings and it had the first shops on the first floor over the balconies of the footpaths. The black-n-white buildings are also very typical of Chester.  The town also has a city wall (like York) which we walked around.

Off to Windsor today to check out one of Bessies pads. Then back into London tomorrow.

Love to all

P and J