The End of the Adventure, for now.....

Wednesday morning, we went to the Eurostar / Chunnel train station in Calais, France.  Crossed under the English channel and arrived back in the UK.  Rode the tube out to Heathrow airport to an Ibis hotel.  This was a long ride on the tube, took almost an hour and we alighted at terminal 3.  There was a 'hotel hoppa' bus which took us to our hotel, some 10 minutes away.  Lunched before Kez and Dave returned on the bus & tube back into London, to spend the afternoon at the Victoria & Albert museum.  We said a hasty goodbye to them.
David and I took the bus back to terminal 3 to the Qantas counter just before 6pm.
Flew back to Australia via Singapore.

Thanks Kez and Dave for a great holiday - we have some wonderful memories!!!

Hope there are going to be plenty more!

Tuesday - 17 July 2012 - Reims - Vimy - Hazebrouck - Calais!

Today we drove north.  We had no plans apart from our final destination in Calais, where we have to board the Eurostar train tomorrow.  David did a little internet research and wanted to enquire about the Canadian Memorial so we asked the desk clerk to phone ahead for us.  We drove north to Arras.  What a beautiful town! (picture below)  Found a place for lunch and looked around the town square.  Next we drove to the memorial.

The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is a memorial site in France dedicated to the memory of Canadian Expeditionary Force members killed during the First World War. It also serves as the place of commemoration for First World War Canadian soldiers killed or presumed dead in France who have no known grave. The monument is the centrepiece of a 100-hectare (250-acre) preserved battlefield park that encompasses a portion of the grounds over which the Canadian Corps made their assault during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, a military engagement fought as part of the Battle of Arras.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was the first occasion whereupon all four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force participated in a battle as a cohesive formation, and thus became a Canadian nationalistic symbol of achievement and sacrifice. France ceded to Canada perpetual use of a portion of land on Vimy Ridge under the understanding that the Canadians use the land to establish a battlefield park and memorial. Wartime tunnels, trenches, craters and unexploded munitions still honeycomb the grounds of the site, which remains largely closed off for public safety. Along with preserved trench lines, there are a number of other memorials and cemeteries contained within the site. 

We did the hour tour, which was free, and took us down into a trench.  The tour guide gave a brilliant summary and we learned a lot about what these men suffered.

Next, we drove to Hazebrouck to the Le Kreule Cemetery.

La Kreule Military Cemetery was opened in April 1918 by the 1st and 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Stations, which came back from Outtersteene ahead of the German advance, and the 17th, which arrived from Lijssenthoek. These three stations, known collectively as "Ana Jana Siding", were posted to the north of La Kreule, but in the middle of April they withdrew to Blendecques, near St. Omer, and the cemetery was then used by heavy artillery and fighting units.

Our dear Uncle Frank had told us about this cemetery and how our Grandma’s (Mary) favourite uncle was buried there, killed in 1917.  According to him, no-one from the family had ever visited the grave and he had asked Joanne, my sister, to visit when she went in about 1995.  Big on family, was our Uncle Frank!  I wanted to go there, too.  It has changed very much in the almost 20 years since Joanne found her way out ‘into the middle of nowhere with a Moroccan taxi driver who spoke no english’ – it is now a major through-fare with a McDonald’s and Carrefour shopping centre right across the road!  Signed the visitor’s book, which David M found for us.

Made our way to Calais and settled in for the evening.  Departing for England tomorrow.  Sad to be leaving  L

Monday - 16 July 2012 - Champagne Avenue!!!

This morning we drove to Eppernay via the rural roads, through the town of Ludes, where Kez and David had stayed previously.  The French countryside is very green and beautiful at this time of year, with wild poppies, lavender and flower boxes everywhere. Arrived at Rue de Champagne and decided to see if we could tour Moet & Chandon.  Brilliant – on a tour in the next hour.  Walked across the road to the Tourist Bureau to find out what other options were available. 

After the Moet & Chandon tour, we had lunch then drove down to Mercier and did their tour – which was different from the others we had done, more of a modern flavour.  We thoroughly enjoyed each of the tours and tastes of the champagne houses.  Learned heaps!  Of course we were surprised at the cellar door prices compared to what we would pay at home.

Enjoyed another drive through the countryside back to our hotel.

Sunday, 15 July, 2012 Paris - Reims!

The morning began innocently enough with breakfast and then the boys departed for the Europcar hire office.  They waited in the queue for over an hour, behind the desk was total chaos – they began at 5^th in the line!  French school holidays began on Bastille Day, so I guess it’s a busy time.  The boys noticed that other car rental desks were busy but they were processing customers faster….  Meanwhile, Kez and I waited in the lobby of our hotel with all the bags.

Suffice to say, the boys returned with the almost brand-new rental car, it has done only 360km – an Opel Insigna, made by GM (about the size of a Camry wagon, diesel).  We drove out of Paris – the GPS refusing to co-operate at first, due to the high buildings, trees and rain!  Made it out on to the A4 and drove through the countryside to Reims.  Stopped at a service centre along the way for lunch – not much English spoken by the staff, but we managed to get by. 

Arrived in Reims about 3pm.  Absolutely beautiful, clean town.  Found our way to the Notre Dame Cathedral St Reimi (not to be confused with the Notre Dame in Paris).  We’ll visit it again tomorrow because we didn’t have much time today.  The tourist information bureau is in the grounds, and we went there to organize a champagne tour.  The lovely young man spoke english and was impressed with my small effort to tell him we were Australian.

Off to G.H. Mumm for a 4pm tour in English.  Wow!  First a 10 minute video then the walk down into the caves, where the temperature is kept at 10°C.  Tasting afterwards and of course, a trip to the ‘boutique’ to purchase.  Gave our tour guide an Australian flag/kangaroo stick pin and he was thrilled.

Checked in to our hotel – just before 50 British students and their teachers!  Great dinner at the restaurant (no English – only the menu!) and again, we enjoyed a good meal and managed with our communications.  They were cooking on a wood-fired open range (grill) – of course, David was very interested and was able to watch the cooking. 

Tomorrow we are hoping to visit more wineries/champagne houses in either Reims or Eppernay.  Weather today was overcast with the odd shower, but a cool evening. 

Paris - Day 3 - 14 July, 2012 - Bastille Day!!!

Bastille Day is the name given in English-speaking countries to the French National Day, which is celebrated on the 14th of July each year. In France, it is formally called La Fête Nationale.   It commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789; the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution. Festivities and official ceremonies are held all over France. The oldest and largest regular military parade in Europe is held on the morning of 14 July, on the Champs-Élysées avenue in Paris in front of the President of the Republic, French officials and foreign guests.

We were up early and off to the train station to find our way to the Eiffel Tower this morning.  Weather was fine and sunny!  Having taken our photos, we decided to walk along the Rue Rapp, which adjoins King George V avenue, which would lead us to the Champs-Elysees avenue (after the parade).  As we came to the Champs de Mars, there was a cavalcade of military vehicles!  We started to take photos, only to realize that they were waiting to go somewhere (after the parade, to exit, we thought) – there were people everywhere!  Traffic stopped, horns honking, scooters and vespas going across lanes, horse drawn carriages and the gendarmes de France (police)….

We stood on the footpath for over an hour waiting to see them move off.  The soldiers eventually alighted their vehicles and people were talking to them, taking photos, a child climbed on a tank for a photo with the serviceman’s helmet on.  Unbelievable!  We began to walk along the row and came across two officers, so Kez and I walked up to them and I said, ‘Vive la France’ – he looked stunned but shook my hand and posed for a photo, then I told him we were Australian and he smiled.  Then David gave him a stick pin with a kangaroo on it.  Were they impressed?  They looked it!

Finally, the cavalcade moved off to lots of cheering and waving from the crowd.  We found a boulangerie – great quiches, croque monsieur (ham & cheese toastie) and pastries!  Whilst we were sitting there, we heard many horns and engine noises – and the military cavalcade drove past again (or maybe it was a similar one)!

Kept walking along King George V avenue – past the Four Seasons Hotel with two Ferraris and a lambourgini parked out front.  Experienced our first public toilet – free to use – revolving door, automatic shut, and a full wash cycle (several minutes) after each use!  The boys got tired of waiting so they went in together!  Kez and I just regret not waiting for the door to slide open and take a photo!  The dags!!!

Walked up the Champs-Elysees to the Arc de Triomph embossed with a huge French flag.  Shopped in Marks & Spencer and looked in the Disney store.  Next we went to Notre Dame and to the left bank of the river.  By this time it was after 7pm and we were getting tired so we found the metro and headed home.  Later in the evening, we listened to the fireworks which began about 11pm and watched them exploding around the Eiffel Tower on the tv.

The most distinctive symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower rose on the city’s skyline in 1889.  At 312m high, it was the world’s tallest building until it was surpassed by New York’s Empire State Building in 1931.  Despite its delicate appearance, it weighs 10 100 metric tons and engineer Gustave Eiffel’s construction was so sound that it never sways more than 9cm in strong winds. 

The bus tour reckons the Eiffel Tower is affectionately known to the locals as ‘The Old Lady’.

Paris - Day 2 - July 13, 2012

Kez and David had booked a bike tour of Versailles for today.

King Louis XIV turned his father’s old hunting lodge into the largest palace in Europe and moved his court there in 1678.  It was the royal residence for more than a century until King Louis XVI and his Queen Marie-Antoinette fled during the Revolution (1789-1793).

It is a short train or bus ride south of Paris.  Maybe we will get to see it another time.

David and I decided to take the ‘Hop on hop off’ bus around the city of Paris, today.  We bought our tickets on-line and took a short train ride to the Musee d’Orsay to find the bus stop.  Whilst we were waiting and looking at the river, three river cruise boats passed by loaded to the max with military service personnel.  They were all cheering and people were waving at them, it was quite a surprise to see.  We guessed they were heading off to a practice event for Bastille Day tomorrow.

We enjoyed our tour around Paris – stayed on the bus for 2.25 hours, doing the whole route.  The weather was overcast and then raining so we moved upstairs and downstairs depending on the weather.  We went past:  Musee du Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, Hotel de Invalides and drove up the Avenue des Champs-Elysees. 

The Champs-Elysees is undoubtedly the most famous street in Paris and the quarter which lies around it is brimming with wealth and power.  It is home to the President of France, great haute couture fashion houses, embassies and consulates, and the five-star hotels and fine restaurants frequented by the French and foreign elite.  A walk along the avenue is still an essential Paris experience.

The avenue was extremely busy with activity all related to Bastille Day tomorrow and the Tour de France which is coming to Paris.  There were stands, television transmission pods and lots of security people everywhere.

David and I returned in the afternoon and walked along the Boulevard de Clichy.  Kez and Dave returned just before 7pm and we popped across the street to an Italian restaurant for dinner.

Paris - Thursday 12 July 2012

Up early this morning - brekky at 7am.  Had an electrical storm last night over Venice - plenty of lightning and wind but no rain - a heat storm (I can vouch for that!).  Walked literally out of our hotel, over the bridge and into the car park of the bus station - climbed aboard the shuttle bus to the airport!  Our first flight on Easyjet - we didn't know what to expect but had been told that they are very strict on baggage weight as well as carry on.  They were.  But we were organised.  We were allowed 86kg between our 4 bags - Kez was devastated to discover our total only came to 76kg and she could have been shopping in San Marcos last night!

Somehow, David managed to get us 'speedy boarding' but we didn't know - until some kind man in the line told us that we did - so we raced to the front - and ended up getting on the plane in the first group.  Passengers choose their own seats - no seating allocation - so we took it upon ourselves to take exit row!  (More leg room for Kez and David M).  Nice, nice flight - comfy seats, good selection from the beverage cart, helpful and friendly trolly dollies!

Arrived in Paris for the 'fun' to begin.  Kez and David M did very well to get us on two trains from Orly to Paris (Gare du Nord) and then negotiating up to our hotel in Montmartre - which I find out this afternoon is also the 'Red Light' district....  mmmm - thanks Kez!  It is also home to the Moulin Rouge!

It was overcast, cool and beginning to rain this afternoon as we set out to wander this area.

Painters and Poets, from Picasso to Apollinaire, put the "art" in Montmartre, and it will forever be associated with their Bohemian lifestyles of the late 19th and 20th centuries.  The area's name comes from 'Mount of Martyrs' commemorating the first bishop of Paris, St Denis, who was decapitated here by the Romans in AD 250.    It is the highest point in the city.  Throngs of tourists climb the hill for the stupendous view from Sacre-Coeur, crowding the main square.  


We took several photos outside Sacre-Coeur (meaning Sacred Heart) before going inside the church. The basilica was built as a memorial to the 58 000 French soldiers killed during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) and took 46 years to build, finally completed in 1923.  Priests still pray for the souls of the dead here 24 hours a day.  It is said that there are few sights in Paris more memorable!

The second photo below is taken of the Moulin Rouge (meaning red windmill).  It is the most famous of the belle epoque dance halls which scandalised respectable citizens and attracted Montmartre's artists and Bohemians.  We didn't attend a show there, although we would have liked to, due mainly to our time restrictions - the evening shows are at 7.15 and 9.15pm;  and the cost is 'cher' (expensive!).

Kez and David took us around the artisan's square where there are many artists willing to draw or paint your profile for a fee; and many have artistic works for sale.  There are many places to eat and drink;  we decided on a little italian pizzeria where David said the smell from the kitchen was 'good'!  We were seated at a table in the corner - literally boxed in by the neighbouring table.  The waiter was friendly, especially when we tried to speak some french.  He asked us where we were from and upon finding out we were Australian, was very accommodating.  The food and wine was excellent and good value for the price.  Two ladies at a neighbouring table were from Belgium and spoke english - which came in handy, when the 'old guy' at the opposite table starting to speaking to us all in french - and we had NO idea what he was saying.  His story was that he was retired, and said he was a previous "Mayor" of Montmartre and he had lots to tell us.  We could only smile and gesture!  Almost hilarious - thank goodness for those Belgian ladies!  I asked one of them if I could spend the next two days hanging out with her so that she could teach me some french.....  David gave the waiter his kangaroo/Australian flag collar pin as a further gesture of good will.  I bought two of the BESt pastries EVER at a shop in the street - and am taking a great like to the lovely country of France!  Daivd, Kez and David M would agree!