Paris Day 1

We started the day with a metro trip east across the city, to join up to the number 69 bus which runs all the way through Paris heading West. we enjoyed the street scenes as we wove through narrow alleys and wide boulevards, then got out at the Rodin Museum.

The Rodin Museum was wonderful - great sculptures in a beautiful garden setting. We had some lunch there, enjoying the beautiful gardens, but thought we shouldn't linger too long - so we set off for the Eiffel Tower. After completely circumnavigating the Hotel des Invalides (by mistake) - see the lovely gardens there too -we gave up on the Eiffel Tower and headed back to the apartment for a little rest before going out for our 25th wedding anniversary dinner!

We'd booked at a lovely restaurant recommended by Dave's mate's brother (Jackson Bunting who has just had a year in Paris) - "Le Petit Prince de Paris" in the latin quarter. The atmosphere was superb and the food was lovely.

Before dinner we went to mass at Notre Dame - to soak up the atmosphere and reflect on 25 wonderful years!!

Day 5 London to Paris

We set off from the Tower Hill Travelodge on foot to the underground, then onto the Eurostar for the trip to Paris. It all went very smoothly - until we arrived at the Gare du Nord. Suddenly we knew we were in a foreign country - policeman with machine guns patrolling around, beggars accosting us continuously, us trying to find where to get money, how to get tickets for the train - which needed an ID photo - how to get copies of photos etc, etc.

We finally made it out of the station and to our apartment in Montmatre. It's a lovely little apartment - small but not cramped. Clean and quite light.

That night we walked up to Sacre Coeur near sunset, then had dinner at a little restaurant - packed in like sardines, but very good food. We were jammed next to an American couple from Chicago who were good company for dinner.

Day 4 London

Last day in London and it's off to Greenwich - the Observatory and home of the Meridian line - see Michael straddling the Meridian line! We took a boat down the Thames, then climbed up the hill to the observatory. Most interesting were the Harrington clocks - made famous in the book and TV series "Longtitude".

Then down to the Maritime Museum - an interesting display about boats and immigrants amongst other things - then on to Greenwich Market. This was a bustling place with heaps of interesting craft stalls and a fantastic food section where we had lunch.

In the evening we met our friends Dick and Mary Verwey, who we'll be travelling with for the rest of the trip. A burger just near St Paul's finished off our London stay.

Day 3 London

Well today we succumbed to the lure of a package bus tour and set off on a whirlwind tour of Windsor Castle, stone henge and Bath. I never thought I'd live to see that adventurous spirit Michael happily participating in a tour group - following a man with an umbrella held aloft!

It was a great way to see a lot in a short time and well exceeded our expectations. Windsor Castle was huge and lavish with amazing art works. We sped around the State apartments, skidded through the beautiful chapel, glanced at the changing of the guard (see all the cameras raise, gulped a coffee on the go as we tried not to spill it hurtling back to the bus - to just take our seats as the motor roared into life and we hit the road. Lunch was at a country pub - good chicken pie and veggies - gulped down then back on the bus.

Stone henge was crowded and smaller than expected, but still worth the visit. Bath is a beautiful town - all Georgian architecture rising up the hill from the river. The Roman baths were amazing, but we rushed through because who also happened to be in Bath that day but our friends Dick and Mary! They have been off visiting Liverpool and travelling around before we all meet up and head to Paris together on Monday - so this was an unexpected catch up. But only very briefly as the man with the umbrella was waiting to herd us back in to the bus - no late comers tolerated - we left 4 people behind in Windsor Castle who didn't get there at the appointed time!!!




We arrived back in London at nearly 9.00pm and staggered back to our hotel area at Tower Hill - vaguely missing that friendly gentleman with the umbrella held aloft to shepherd us through the crowds. We did find a nice pub up the road which had a lovely vegetable soup which we washed down with a glass of rose. Then home and hit the bed. I think Michael was asleep before he even lay down! A big day.

Day 2 London

Today we spent an enthralling morning at the Tower of London.The series of castles built on the site were mostly very well preserved and were fascinating. In particular the original "white tower" built nearly one thousand years ago was amazing.

After a siesta back at the hotel we hit the British museum - ancient antiquities were in abundance - though we felt some discomfort at the pillaging of the world's treasures for the amusement of the British.

Then off wandering the streets of Soho, Covent Garden, etc. Absolutely teeming with people on the Friday night. We had dinner in Chinatown at a very ordinary Taiwanese restaurant, followed by a very expensive gelati in Leicester Square (sitting watching the world stream past). People, people everywhere on the streets and on the tube.

Day 1 - London

We've arrived!....after a 29 hour journey from our front gate at 11am Wednesday to Trafalgar Square at 7am (London time).

We spent the first day hitting the streets of London straight away from Trafalgar Square (see Michael in front of the lion) to Westminster via Buck palace, gardens and the Thames. So much to see at every turn. Great lunch for 2 pounds fifty each! (Thai chicken soup in the cloisters at Westminster Abbey!).

After a welcome rest (when we finally got access to our hotel room) we then wandered down over Tower Bridge and found a a pub which looked good - and guess what - it was curry Thursday! Michael was very happy - big meal for 2 with 3 curries, rice, papadams, naan, samosas and chutney and 2 pints of beer or cider for 15 pounds all up.

Karol and Michael are off to Europe with their good friends Mary and Dick Verwey.......only 3 more sleeps to go!