After all of that travelling, laughing, eating etc it was lovely to arrive back in New Zealand.
Next year I'm planning a tour to Pennsylvania!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Still Saturday, still Paris
After lunch several of us went on a tour out to Giverney, to Monet's garden. It was drizzling a little as we drove for about 1 1/2 hours north. It was well worth it, but by the following weekend the flowers would have been finished.
There was that darned tower again on our way home. What else could Sue & I do but go up to the second level. You must know that this is terribly brave of me - I have a very silly, but significant - fear of heights. But hey, after 20 mins waiting time up we went. It was nowhere near as scary as I had thought it would be. Yes, in the photo I still look petrified, but I did it!
There was that darned tower again on our way home. What else could Sue & I do but go up to the second level. You must know that this is terribly brave of me - I have a very silly, but significant - fear of heights. But hey, after 20 mins waiting time up we went. It was nowhere near as scary as I had thought it would be. Yes, in the photo I still look petrified, but I did it!
Saturday in Paris
Saturday morning I was up and ready early. Dianne, Sue & I took a cab over to Montmartre to soak in the artists markets etc.
Here was just another one of those OMG moments. I really hadn't though much about where we were going, other than the artist area and when we pulled up there was the Sacre Coeur to the right and a panoramic view of Paris to the left.
We walked up the steps and into the cathedral and were greeted by a Mass. The singing was beautiful and, of course, the atmosphere electric. This is a very simple building, compared to many that we have seen, but it 'felt' really good.
We hung around the area for about an hour - coffee, croissant - then we took the petite train down the hill, passed Moulin Rouge, to the Metro.
Here was just another one of those OMG moments. I really hadn't though much about where we were going, other than the artist area and when we pulled up there was the Sacre Coeur to the right and a panoramic view of Paris to the left.
We walked up the steps and into the cathedral and were greeted by a Mass. The singing was beautiful and, of course, the atmosphere electric. This is a very simple building, compared to many that we have seen, but it 'felt' really good.
We hung around the area for about an hour - coffee, croissant - then we took the petite train down the hill, passed Moulin Rouge, to the Metro.
Friday in Paris
Saturday saw us have a reasonably early start, as we were collected by our guide for the day, Catherine. What a delighful lady and what knowledge she has of her beloved Paris.
First we took a drive around the city highlights, with a stop for pics of the Eiffel Tower.
Then it was on around the city to see the highlights. The traffic island at the Arc du Triomphe is enormous. It has at least 5 lanes, but the drivers are crazy. There were masses of riot police gearing up for a protest rally.
We stopped near the Champs Elysee for lunch before heading out to the Palace of Versailles. Wow! What an ornate place. My friend Sue (used to live in Thorndon, Wellington) caught up with us there too. Sue & Warwick live nearby.
The opulence is incredible. All that for one family.
These photos are in the Hall of Mirrors.
We were back at the hotel around 6.30pm. The weather was a bit damp, but Paula & Robyn & I decided to head to the Louvre. Well, I only went because it was there and after 6pm it's only 6 euro entry fee. Friday the galleries are open until 10pm. This was another of those OMG moments. I had never expected to be wow-ed by the Louvre. but I was.
To stand 3 metres from the Mona Lisa, or right beside the Venus de Milo, is just incredible, as is the size of the place. We got lost several times.
No photos until I can figure how to get them from my mobile to my laptop.
First we took a drive around the city highlights, with a stop for pics of the Eiffel Tower.
Then it was on around the city to see the highlights. The traffic island at the Arc du Triomphe is enormous. It has at least 5 lanes, but the drivers are crazy. There were masses of riot police gearing up for a protest rally.
We stopped near the Champs Elysee for lunch before heading out to the Palace of Versailles. Wow! What an ornate place. My friend Sue (used to live in Thorndon, Wellington) caught up with us there too. Sue & Warwick live nearby.
The opulence is incredible. All that for one family.
We were back at the hotel around 6.30pm. The weather was a bit damp, but Paula & Robyn & I decided to head to the Louvre. Well, I only went because it was there and after 6pm it's only 6 euro entry fee. Friday the galleries are open until 10pm. This was another of those OMG moments. I had never expected to be wow-ed by the Louvre. but I was.
To stand 3 metres from the Mona Lisa, or right beside the Venus de Milo, is just incredible, as is the size of the place. We got lost several times.
No photos until I can figure how to get them from my mobile to my laptop.
Paris, France, not Paris, Texas!
It now seems a long time ago that we arrived in Paris - on Thursday September 31st. We got caught in the most awful traffic jams and our intrepid driver, Luc, tried several different roads. In the time that we travelled less than 4km my Barney (back home in Hamilton) had completed his shower & breakfast and dressed for work.
We didn't mind the traffic too much, as there were lots of exciting and new things for us to look at. Just before 8pm we turned onto a bridge over the Seine and there was the Eiffel Tower - sparkling! Yes, sparkling! From 8pm until 1am on the hour, there are white sparkling lights for just 10 mins. Luc tried to tell us it was just for us. Yeah right!
The Novotel Tour Eiffel is enormous and very smart.
We didn't mind the traffic too much, as there were lots of exciting and new things for us to look at. Just before 8pm we turned onto a bridge over the Seine and there was the Eiffel Tower - sparkling! Yes, sparkling! From 8pm until 1am on the hour, there are white sparkling lights for just 10 mins. Luc tried to tell us it was just for us. Yeah right!
The Novotel Tour Eiffel is enormous and very smart.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch
Forgive for the delay in adding to the Blog. I have had some urgent family events to deal with.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Last tango in Paris
There are five of us waiting in the foyer for the shuttle to the airport. Two heading to Britain & the other home. I will try to update this at the airport - there's lots to tell about out time in Paris.
Amien & the Somme
Our stay in Amien was too brief. Just a brief look at the cathedral was a one hour job. A very cute area and lots of photo opportunities.
We departed from there at 10.30am, so a really late start for us. Our first stop was Becourt British Cemetery to pay our respects to Elaine's Uncle. She had created a lovely wreath of poppies and leaves to present to him. We all found the experience very moving. Thank you Elaine for sharing that very special moment with us.
As we drove from there I read the transcripts of postcards from my Great Uncle Ted (Timothy Edward) Lane to his beloved Hilda back in Timaru. His fear was that he would not return to see his 'dear little boy' and Hilda. Sadly only a few days before he was killed in the Battle of Baupame he wrote his last postcard to Hilda asking her to be brave if he "stayed behind in France like Humphrey" (his brother was killed in the Battle of the Somme). Late in the day we visited his grave in Favreuil.
Close to lunchtime we stopped in Albert and visited the Somme Museum. It is in the cellars under the town and was used as a bomb shelter in WWII. A very well presented museum, though quite humble. The final part of the museum is 'in the trenches' with bombs sounding, light flashing and very moving.
From there we journeyed to Poziers for Janet to visit the memory of her Great Uncle. Although Irish he fought for the British and paid the ultimate price. A very large cemetery.
Our next stop was the New Zealand Memorial at Longvail. We gathered around the Memorial and I read the Soldiers Ode. This was not an easy exercise as I found it very emotional - I think we all did.
The quality of these memorials is magnificent. We (New Zealand) may have paid with lives, but the Commonwealth Graves Commission and the French do a magnificent job of maintaining them.
Lest we forget.
(Photos will have to wait.)
We departed from there at 10.30am, so a really late start for us. Our first stop was Becourt British Cemetery to pay our respects to Elaine's Uncle. She had created a lovely wreath of poppies and leaves to present to him. We all found the experience very moving. Thank you Elaine for sharing that very special moment with us.
As we drove from there I read the transcripts of postcards from my Great Uncle Ted (Timothy Edward) Lane to his beloved Hilda back in Timaru. His fear was that he would not return to see his 'dear little boy' and Hilda. Sadly only a few days before he was killed in the Battle of Baupame he wrote his last postcard to Hilda asking her to be brave if he "stayed behind in France like Humphrey" (his brother was killed in the Battle of the Somme). Late in the day we visited his grave in Favreuil.
Close to lunchtime we stopped in Albert and visited the Somme Museum. It is in the cellars under the town and was used as a bomb shelter in WWII. A very well presented museum, though quite humble. The final part of the museum is 'in the trenches' with bombs sounding, light flashing and very moving.
From there we journeyed to Poziers for Janet to visit the memory of her Great Uncle. Although Irish he fought for the British and paid the ultimate price. A very large cemetery.
Our next stop was the New Zealand Memorial at Longvail. We gathered around the Memorial and I read the Soldiers Ode. This was not an easy exercise as I found it very emotional - I think we all did.
The quality of these memorials is magnificent. We (New Zealand) may have paid with lives, but the Commonwealth Graves Commission and the French do a magnificent job of maintaining them.
Lest we forget.
(Photos will have to wait.)
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Amien - Wednesday
After the lovely Bohin factory tour and lunch we drove a further 3 hours to Amien. Some of this journey was off the main highway, so it was interesting to see the really large fields and hardly any fences.
Amien is dominated by the Notre Dame Cathedral. It's enormous! It was closed when we arrived so we will leave late tomorrow so we have time to visit it.
When we walk out our hotel door the cathedral is less then 100 metres along the street. They have a fairly big job on their hands at present as they are cleaning the entire building. It's very intricate and ENORMOUS.
Pics tomorrow.
Night!
Amien is dominated by the Notre Dame Cathedral. It's enormous! It was closed when we arrived so we will leave late tomorrow so we have time to visit it.
When we walk out our hotel door the cathedral is less then 100 metres along the street. They have a fairly big job on their hands at present as they are cleaning the entire building. It's very intricate and ENORMOUS.
Pics tomorrow.
Night!
Tours - still Tuesday and then onto Bohin France
We arrived at the hotel before 5pm so the driver took us to close to the patchwork shop. Again, it was tiny, but this one had a workshop down in the cellar. Once all of the toile du jouy was purchased we wandered the pedestrian precinct until it was time to go back to the hotel.
A few of us wandered back down to the Centre Ville for dinner. Dianne, Sue, Robyn, Paula & I really struck it lucky. The place we dined at was just by the town hall (Maire) and they had a music and light/animated show onto the building after dark. Fab and groovy.
Early start this morning, with elbows at the ready to fight through the throngs at breakfast. There were 4 coach loads of tourists at the hotel.
Our journey through the northern Loire and up into Normandy was ever-changing. Certainly the countryside got flatter. We arrived at Bohin France just after 11am. Bohin have been manufacturing needles and pins out of this plant for more than 150 years. Some of the machinery is original - nothing better can be made to do the job.
Everyone has a new appreciation for the humble needle now - it takes up to 5 weeks from wire to finished needle. The quality is superb. The glass-head pin making machinery is nearly 100 years old too. A rod of coloured glass is slowly feed near a gas flame - so melt it. On a large grooved wheel is the pin shafts - point already formed and with the blunt end facing in toward the melting glass. The glass drops a tiny blob on each pin end and as the wheel turns the next pin gets it glass head.
A few of us wandered back down to the Centre Ville for dinner. Dianne, Sue, Robyn, Paula & I really struck it lucky. The place we dined at was just by the town hall (Maire) and they had a music and light/animated show onto the building after dark. Fab and groovy.
Early start this morning, with elbows at the ready to fight through the throngs at breakfast. There were 4 coach loads of tourists at the hotel.
Our journey through the northern Loire and up into Normandy was ever-changing. Certainly the countryside got flatter. We arrived at Bohin France just after 11am. Bohin have been manufacturing needles and pins out of this plant for more than 150 years. Some of the machinery is original - nothing better can be made to do the job.
Everyone has a new appreciation for the humble needle now - it takes up to 5 weeks from wire to finished needle. The quality is superb. The glass-head pin making machinery is nearly 100 years old too. A rod of coloured glass is slowly feed near a gas flame - so melt it. On a large grooved wheel is the pin shafts - point already formed and with the blunt end facing in toward the melting glass. The glass drops a tiny blob on each pin end and as the wheel turns the next pin gets it glass head.
This high fashion gown is embellished with over 9kgs of nickle and brass sewing pins
Needle making machines. Rod is cut to double length, holes punched for eyes, point created by a grinder, then after being heated to 900 degrees they are tumbled for up to five weeks to finish.
More delightful old machinery
Rolls of needles already threaded through black tape. This will be cut to length and wrapped in a paper and cellophane sleeve.
An enormous bin of needles.
and then onto Tours - Tuesday
The long drive from Perigueux, up the Loire Valley was long, but interesting. We have been stopping at truck cafes along the way for morning and afternoon breaks when we have been on the road. Fabulous dispensing machines and the coffee hasn't been to bad at all. The Travellers have bought more than their fair share of decorative tins at these stops. The bus rattles with all of them.
Le Mans was one of our stops and I managed to find a race t-shirt to purchase. Hope it's the right size Barney.
Lunch was at Amboise. What a delightful town it is. After lunch we walked up to Chateau d'Amboise and walked around for an hour. What a lovely place.
Chateau from the street
Le Mans was one of our stops and I managed to find a race t-shirt to purchase. Hope it's the right size Barney.
Lunch was at Amboise. What a delightful town it is. After lunch we walked up to Chateau d'Amboise and walked around for an hour. What a lovely place.
Fabulous street signs
Paula finally found a door that was just the right size!
Amboise from the Chateau
Just one of the fancy beds
Fancy, artistic photo of Chateau through the stone wall
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Tours - Loire Valley
Greetings readers. Today we drove from Perigueux to Tours - along the Loire Valley. Great visit to Amboise Chateau.
Then onto Tours. We have been to a patchwork shop, so that should keep people happy. Early start tomorrow so will top this up tomorrow night when we arrive in Amien.
Good night!
Then onto Tours. We have been to a patchwork shop, so that should keep people happy. Early start tomorrow so will top this up tomorrow night when we arrive in Amien.
Good night!
Monday, September 27, 2010
More about Monday
We finished our time in Bordeaux with a visit to Maison du Vin where we tasted red & white wine of Bordeaux. It was ok, but I still look forward to a chardy when I get home.
Back on the bus and back to Tocane for a BBQ. Starter was a very soft curry with rice, then fab salads, even fab-er dressings, Toulouse Sausages, steak & potatoes au gratin. Yum. Them we HAD to finish it off with warm lemon cake with whipped cream. Of course, there was the obligatory wine too.
Janice & Paul, you are superb hosts and Janice you are a Cook, par excellence! We really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know this little part of France. There were tears in many eyes as we sang Pokerekere Ana before we boarded the bus.
For me it was time to say goodbye to the family. Thankfully they are coming home for a warm Christmas this year, so less 89 sleeps to go.
One of the group paid our hosts the highest compliment when she commented that the two evenings we had spent at Rouge were better than you'd get in any Paris restaurant!
Early start tomorrow and the beginning of our journey north up the Loire Valley.
Rouge
One of the 'door bells'
Back on the bus and back to Tocane for a BBQ. Starter was a very soft curry with rice, then fab salads, even fab-er dressings, Toulouse Sausages, steak & potatoes au gratin. Yum. Them we HAD to finish it off with warm lemon cake with whipped cream. Of course, there was the obligatory wine too.
Janice & Paul, you are superb hosts and Janice you are a Cook, par excellence! We really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know this little part of France. There were tears in many eyes as we sang Pokerekere Ana before we boarded the bus.
For me it was time to say goodbye to the family. Thankfully they are coming home for a warm Christmas this year, so less 89 sleeps to go.
One of the group paid our hosts the highest compliment when she commented that the two evenings we had spent at Rouge were better than you'd get in any Paris restaurant!
Early start tomorrow and the beginning of our journey north up the Loire Valley.
Rouge
One of the 'door bells'
Bordueaux - Monday
This morning we drove 2 hours west to Bordeaux. A significant city that was mostly re-built in the 18th century. Previously a very busy & important river port, Bordeaux is a very grand city.
We have a guided tour in the coach for an hour. BIG monuments, wonderfully picturesque streets and masses of trees. Then we had a one hour walking tour. The mixed styles of many of the buildings is just lovely and wow are those fountains big or what??
Rue St Catherine - 1.2km of shopping precinct
Bridge over the Gironde River
We have a guided tour in the coach for an hour. BIG monuments, wonderfully picturesque streets and masses of trees. Then we had a one hour walking tour. The mixed styles of many of the buildings is just lovely and wow are those fountains big or what??
Bridge over the Gironde River
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