Hi all.
Just a quick update to let you know we are alive and well. Hard to find wifi with power to update the blog. Walked, trained and got the ferry to the UK. Currently in Brighton UK. Took Annette for a walk on the Brighton Pier last night. Who says I can't be romantic. More of that later.
Bye for now.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Wednesday 19th of May.
Bonjour.
Today we went off to visit the catacombes. This is where in about 1785 it was decided to dig up the overflowing cemeteries and place all the bones down in the old quarry tunnels under Paris. It was on Annette's must list and she had threatened to start one at home if she didn't see it. Took the metro and only had to line up for about 15 minutes to get in. It was way way underground. Lots of spiral stone steps to get down and then wonderful stone tunnels just like what a real cellar should look like. Loved every minute of it. This was the only place they didn't check your backpack when you entered but checked it when you left to make sure you were not pinching any bones.
This is the only place where I haven't had to tell Annette not to touch the displays. In fact I couldn't get her to touch any of the bones (not that I did). Here I am trying.
Turned around and Annette must have changed her mind about touching the bones. I told her no way was she going to get away with smuggling out a couple of skulls in that manner.
Didn't take too long to walk through it and back up to ground level. I'm glad we went. A bit sad really.
Back on the metro. Speaking of which some of the trains have truck wheels attached to the outside of the train wheels and have a flat rail to run along. This seems to make them more stable. I know they travel faster than the others. I'll try to get a photo tomorrow before we leave. This is what a station looks like. All clean but no toilets in any of them.
Got some lunch and Annette took pity on some sparrows and with a bit of coaching were taking food from her hand.
After lunch we went off to another map shop and were able to buy all the maps we required so it's back to walking along the Seine to Rouen and if all is going well north to Dieppe. We were both excited about that and didn't realise how disappointed we had been.
Next a visit to the inside of the Notre Dame. I was impressed but it is very dirty inside. When it was built it must have been full of light and colour. Now it it dark and dirty. Nothing that could not be fixed if they wanted to, just soap and water on the windows and inside. After that off for a walk around the area and back to the apartment. As I said before toilets a few and far between so when you see one you stop and use it whether you need it or not. One outside the Notre Dame. Very small and you go in one door and ladies to the right, gents to the left. Strange being within 1 metre of a line of ladies all saying wee, wee, wee, whilst you have the business in hand, so to speak. I told Annette I gave it a few extra shakes and she said she thought I was taking a bit long and that she could see the back of me through the window. Lucky I didn't turn around.
This busker got the better of Annette as he was singing real french songs and sounded pretty good. She said it was the only time she has heard it whilst in Paris. His cd was purchased. She probably won't get to hear it for 3 months.
Seen a few of these getting around. Even I wouldn't mind having a go at riding one of these. They seem to get around the same as the others except you don't have to worry when you stop or park it as it will stay upright on its own.
You just can't take her anywhere. Looks as if the catacombs are minus two.
Back to the apartment to get the blog up to date as I'm not sure when you will hear from us next. I have a trip report on the first leg of the walk that takes 4 days but it the opposite direction. We should arrive in Rouen either Monday the 24th of Tuesday the 25th. It is going to be interesting. So until then .....
Au revoir
Today we went off to visit the catacombes. This is where in about 1785 it was decided to dig up the overflowing cemeteries and place all the bones down in the old quarry tunnels under Paris. It was on Annette's must list and she had threatened to start one at home if she didn't see it. Took the metro and only had to line up for about 15 minutes to get in. It was way way underground. Lots of spiral stone steps to get down and then wonderful stone tunnels just like what a real cellar should look like. Loved every minute of it. This was the only place they didn't check your backpack when you entered but checked it when you left to make sure you were not pinching any bones.
Back on the metro. Speaking of which some of the trains have truck wheels attached to the outside of the train wheels and have a flat rail to run along. This seems to make them more stable. I know they travel faster than the others. I'll try to get a photo tomorrow before we leave. This is what a station looks like. All clean but no toilets in any of them.
Got some lunch and Annette took pity on some sparrows and with a bit of coaching were taking food from her hand.
After lunch we went off to another map shop and were able to buy all the maps we required so it's back to walking along the Seine to Rouen and if all is going well north to Dieppe. We were both excited about that and didn't realise how disappointed we had been.
Next a visit to the inside of the Notre Dame. I was impressed but it is very dirty inside. When it was built it must have been full of light and colour. Now it it dark and dirty. Nothing that could not be fixed if they wanted to, just soap and water on the windows and inside. After that off for a walk around the area and back to the apartment. As I said before toilets a few and far between so when you see one you stop and use it whether you need it or not. One outside the Notre Dame. Very small and you go in one door and ladies to the right, gents to the left. Strange being within 1 metre of a line of ladies all saying wee, wee, wee, whilst you have the business in hand, so to speak. I told Annette I gave it a few extra shakes and she said she thought I was taking a bit long and that she could see the back of me through the window. Lucky I didn't turn around.
This busker got the better of Annette as he was singing real french songs and sounded pretty good. She said it was the only time she has heard it whilst in Paris. His cd was purchased. She probably won't get to hear it for 3 months.
Seen a few of these getting around. Even I wouldn't mind having a go at riding one of these. They seem to get around the same as the others except you don't have to worry when you stop or park it as it will stay upright on its own.
You just can't take her anywhere. Looks as if the catacombs are minus two.
Back to the apartment to get the blog up to date as I'm not sure when you will hear from us next. I have a trip report on the first leg of the walk that takes 4 days but it the opposite direction. We should arrive in Rouen either Monday the 24th of Tuesday the 25th. It is going to be interesting. So until then .....
Au revoir
Tuesday 18th May
Bonjour all.
Our time in Paris is nearly gone and we are not going to see anywhere near enough. We seem to spend too much time just walking around taking in the ordinary streets that the people live in. Today we got up and tried to work out when we were going to leave France and how, as we have not been able to purchase the maps we required to enable us to walk out. It seems the earlier you book fares the cheaper they are. It was great to be interrupted by mum, Barbara and Rodney and Felicity via skype and have a chat to them all.
Decided that we would catch the train to Vernon and see Monet's garden then on to Rouen to stay a couple of nights. Then train to Dieppe and the ferry across to UK and then play it by ear when we get there. Had an early lunch and off to visit the church on the hill Annette has been pointing out to me every day. You know, the one near the Moulin Rouge. First we stopped at a shopping centre on the way to check out a store that had maps. No luck with the scale I wanted but it also had a huge electrical section and I was able to purchase a spare battery for the camera. Then back on the metro off to the church on top of the hill, the Sacre Coeur. Walked out of the metro station at the bottom of the hill and I thought we had entered a Caribbean city. Anyway, made our way up the hill to the church.
Lots of steps up and down.
We then had a look around all the old streets on the side of the hill around the church not far from where Sue and Vince were planing to stay (I think). We went past one of the old Metro stations.
Our time in Paris is nearly gone and we are not going to see anywhere near enough. We seem to spend too much time just walking around taking in the ordinary streets that the people live in. Today we got up and tried to work out when we were going to leave France and how, as we have not been able to purchase the maps we required to enable us to walk out. It seems the earlier you book fares the cheaper they are. It was great to be interrupted by mum, Barbara and Rodney and Felicity via skype and have a chat to them all.
Decided that we would catch the train to Vernon and see Monet's garden then on to Rouen to stay a couple of nights. Then train to Dieppe and the ferry across to UK and then play it by ear when we get there. Had an early lunch and off to visit the church on the hill Annette has been pointing out to me every day. You know, the one near the Moulin Rouge. First we stopped at a shopping centre on the way to check out a store that had maps. No luck with the scale I wanted but it also had a huge electrical section and I was able to purchase a spare battery for the camera. Then back on the metro off to the church on top of the hill, the Sacre Coeur. Walked out of the metro station at the bottom of the hill and I thought we had entered a Caribbean city. Anyway, made our way up the hill to the church.
Lots of steps up and down.
These fellows were taking it in turns to carry each other up and then down the sections of stairs. I had to keep Annette on a leash. She wanted to ask this one if he would carry her pack.
We then had a look around all the old streets on the side of the hill around the church not far from where Sue and Vince were planing to stay (I think). We went past one of the old Metro stations.
Saw two old windmills. Apparently there used to be lots on and around the hill.
Finished there and decided to go back to the Arc de Triomphe and climb up to the top and have a look around. Lots and lots of steps to get up to the top. Annette was busting to go to the loo and the steps nearly killed her so I left her sitting at the top of the first (Main) steps and I went off to the loo just off to the left. Got out and Annette not about so naturally thought she was in the loo. Waited, waited, waited, until I thought I would get arrested for loitering, no Annette. Bloody hell she would have to be finished by now, so I went up to the top and here she is looking for me, still busting for the loo. Teach her not to look and to think I would up and leave her. Once there the view was so, so. It was fun to watch all the traffic going around the Arc and I would suggest that you go during peak hour or not at all. It was going on dusk so we decided to walk down to the Eiffel Tower and go up it and view the lights of Paris.
Took just six minutes to line up, pay and get to the lifts. Then ages to actually get in the lift and then to get to the second left and again to get the lifts down. Packed to the rafters with people. Again the view was well worth it.
Arrived back at the apartment after midnight (again), with a couple of freshly cooked treats from a street vendor for dinner.
Au revoir.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Monday 17th May
Today we decided we would get going early and beat the crowds at the Eiffel Tower. It opens at 9.30am so off on the Metro, busy but only meant that we had to stand. Trains appeared to be running every couple of minutes and it is always interesting people watching, even if it's everyone else watching us!!! One thing I have noticed is hardly any fair skinned locals have short hair. I packed wet weather coats yesterday and carted them around all day and didn't use them, so didn't bother today.
Got to the Eiffel on time at about 9.10am and the lines of people weren't to bad. I had seen pictures of worse so after working out which one to get into to buy the tickets we just had to wait. Lots of young dark skinned males here trying to sell little towers and other items. You get approached a lot but a quick no or shake of the head and they are off. It filled in the time watching them work the crowd and it was entertaining listening to one young fellow doing a job one two young girls behind us. They are a little bit intimidating when you first see so many of them but have been no trouble at all.
Gates are open and the line is moving and the wind is cold and it is starting to lightly rain. Get in and up on one of the lifts, then change lifts to go up to the top. It is tall, I mean it is tall and not very wide at the top. Looking straight ahead and not down we, I mean me, we get to the top. Once up there you forget how many people would die if this thing fell over when you were on it, or how long it would take to crash to the ground if it started to fall over. You know all the type of stats you thing off when you are trying to stay calm and just wish the lift would get to the top so you could be on the way down again. Never been one for heights so I really don't know why I'm up there.
The view is just great. You can really see where most things are in Paris and you are up really high, believe me. Very cold and the whole thing reminded me of the steel mecano set I had when I was a boy. This is Annette enjoying herself at the top.
Looking down.
Can't take her anywhere, even to Paris and expect her to behave herself.
Annette spotted these and thought of the girls at her work. They were at the lower much bigger section that had food and plenty of space to walk around and the view was still pretty good.
Bugger all crowd now. And who's idea was it to get here early to beat the crowds. Yep you guessed it. (Actually it was mine.) If you had arrived here today at 11.30 you would have walked nearly straight in.
Off at last and back on the ground and I must say out of topple range. The views were great and is one of the must thing to do. We will be back at night to see all the lights of Paris.
Off to the Hotel des Invalides, Annette wants to see the Tombeau de Napoleon 1er. Apparently it's pretty impressive. I'm just tagging along. In we go, no waiting, great. Here is something we haven't seen in Hamilton for awhile.
The French are responsible for a few things I wasn't aware of. (If you can get my meaning)
I found lots to see and Annette was stopping to read everything even if it was in French????? (Just in case, and sometimes there was, a bit in English). Time was a ticking on and we didn't get to see everything before it closed. If you are interested in armour and guns it's for you. A boys thing. This was great. It was a fold up motor bike that fitted into the tube and I guessed they then chucked it out high up. I want one. Reminded me of the scooters in Paris.
Had heaps of guns from all the wars, some were just beautiful works of art. Here is one that Trev and I used in our training days.
Speaking of Trev, here's one of a French'y girl. I had to take it after she went past. I didn't want to get punched out by the boyfriend, husband or just lucky bastard that was with her. (PS I cut him out of the picture)
What legs, nearly as good as the wheels on the 907. One clip over the ears and we were back home.
Au Revoir.
Got to the Eiffel on time at about 9.10am and the lines of people weren't to bad. I had seen pictures of worse so after working out which one to get into to buy the tickets we just had to wait. Lots of young dark skinned males here trying to sell little towers and other items. You get approached a lot but a quick no or shake of the head and they are off. It filled in the time watching them work the crowd and it was entertaining listening to one young fellow doing a job one two young girls behind us. They are a little bit intimidating when you first see so many of them but have been no trouble at all.
Gates are open and the line is moving and the wind is cold and it is starting to lightly rain. Get in and up on one of the lifts, then change lifts to go up to the top. It is tall, I mean it is tall and not very wide at the top. Looking straight ahead and not down we, I mean me, we get to the top. Once up there you forget how many people would die if this thing fell over when you were on it, or how long it would take to crash to the ground if it started to fall over. You know all the type of stats you thing off when you are trying to stay calm and just wish the lift would get to the top so you could be on the way down again. Never been one for heights so I really don't know why I'm up there.
The view is just great. You can really see where most things are in Paris and you are up really high, believe me. Very cold and the whole thing reminded me of the steel mecano set I had when I was a boy. This is Annette enjoying herself at the top.
Looking down.
Can't take her anywhere, even to Paris and expect her to behave herself.
Annette spotted these and thought of the girls at her work. They were at the lower much bigger section that had food and plenty of space to walk around and the view was still pretty good.
Bugger all crowd now. And who's idea was it to get here early to beat the crowds. Yep you guessed it. (Actually it was mine.) If you had arrived here today at 11.30 you would have walked nearly straight in.
Off at last and back on the ground and I must say out of topple range. The views were great and is one of the must thing to do. We will be back at night to see all the lights of Paris.
Off to the Hotel des Invalides, Annette wants to see the Tombeau de Napoleon 1er. Apparently it's pretty impressive. I'm just tagging along. In we go, no waiting, great. Here is something we haven't seen in Hamilton for awhile.
Bloody hell, did they spend some money building this.
The French are responsible for a few things I wasn't aware of. (If you can get my meaning)
I found lots to see and Annette was stopping to read everything even if it was in French????? (Just in case, and sometimes there was, a bit in English). Time was a ticking on and we didn't get to see everything before it closed. If you are interested in armour and guns it's for you. A boys thing. This was great. It was a fold up motor bike that fitted into the tube and I guessed they then chucked it out high up. I want one. Reminded me of the scooters in Paris.
Had heaps of guns from all the wars, some were just beautiful works of art. Here is one that Trev and I used in our training days.
Speaking of Trev, here's one of a French'y girl. I had to take it after she went past. I didn't want to get punched out by the boyfriend, husband or just lucky bastard that was with her. (PS I cut him out of the picture)
Au Revoir.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Sunday 16th May.
Had a sleep in this morning because of the late night. Got going just before lunch and hoping to see the Musee Hotel de Cluny and the Catacombes. Off on the metro like the old hands we now are. Turned a corner and this was on the end of a building. I don't think we have been down a street, sorry rue, and haven't found something of interest.
The museum had the remains of Gallo-Roman baths attached to an old church thing. It was a lovely old building which looked promising. Got some lunch and ate it in the rear gardens.
There were huge old tapestries and a lot of old religious odds and ends. All interesting but once you saw one you didn't have to see another ten or twenty. In the end it just got painful and the roman baths were a bit of a let down as you couldn't get outside in amongst them. This was part of the baths.
I found a door that would I could use on the new house. The attention to detail on the building and fixtures is unbelievable.
The museum had the remains of Gallo-Roman baths attached to an old church thing. It was a lovely old building which looked promising. Got some lunch and ate it in the rear gardens.
There were huge old tapestries and a lot of old religious odds and ends. All interesting but once you saw one you didn't have to see another ten or twenty. In the end it just got painful and the roman baths were a bit of a let down as you couldn't get outside in amongst them. This was part of the baths.
I found a door that would I could use on the new house. The attention to detail on the building and fixtures is unbelievable.
This is part of the lock on the rear of the door.
Finished and off for a bit of a walk around the area and then off to see the catacombs. (this is where they stored all the bones that were dug up a few years ago, around 1785 and placed in the disused quarries) Not that far so we thought we would walk as you can't see anything on the metro underground. Well, we didn't see anything underground as we arrived five minutes after they shut the door. Caught the metro back to the river (yes I was told it should have been the other way) and had a look around the two islands.This is the area where Paris started. Discovered a very ordinary church on the smaller island and just went in for a look. You just have to check out everything.
Walked around Notre-Dame de Paris on the larger island.
This detail is about 8 floors up and you have to wonder who they thought was going to see it. I've zoomed in by 10. There is a least one building in every block which will have some sort of detail that we haven't seen. We then came across a small /pet shop market and looking around saw a couple of locals but the prices!!!!!!
I haven't yet said anything about the way the French drive and I'm still trying to work out which road rules that you have to worry about and which you don't as a ped. The French seem to park just about anywhere and if they don't want you parking somewhere they put up structures to make sure you can't. I tell you seeing is believing. You just can't own a car in Paris and park it in the street if you don't want the front and rear bumpers to be well used. This parking job is normal and would have involved a bit of touch parking.
I still come across a cars which I think are parked and think to myself what the #@%& when I realise that it has a driver it's just that he /she is one the other side. Probably just get used to it when we get to the UK and have to start all over again. For now when crossing the road it's still, LOOK LEFT FIRST STUPID.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Saturday 15th May
Today I got to visit a lot of dead people. It was decided to visit the Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise but first since it was Saturday morning I thought I'd try to buy a spare battery for the camera since it ran out yesterday. Of course this meant walking the opposite way but I knew where the camera shops were near the Place de la Bastille as we had past them yesterday. Out and visited the local market then back and loaded up the washing machine and away. Streets were busy but the shops were not open. Funny shop hours here but I should have asked. Not to worry. A quick check of the map and we decided to explore a bit further then head off to the Cimetiere. Discovered that there was a river tunnel under the street linking two canals. Locks control the water level. All very pretty. The market where we had lunch yesterday is on top of the tunnel.
More walking and we got to the cemetery and Annette visited the usual ones, Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison amongst others. It is another pretty place and I'd put it on the must do list. If you were really interested you could spend the whole day here, we didn't, it just felt like it. If you want a map (which you really need) get one from the main gate on the south side and then it's a long slog up the hill. Nearly all the graves have been broken into and items stolen. It appears that most had a large cross and two candle sticks. The candle sticks have been nicked. As usual I did get a few ideas for the new house. It appears that the old dunnie just won't do anymore and I'll have to replace it.
- or maybe one with a view?
Trev you would be interested in all the metal work on the doors.
It's a pretty place but a bit spooky even during the day. I wouldn't want to be locked in at night. The whole place looks like the dead rise out of the ground at about dusk and go and feed on the locals. That finished, stomped back to the apartment for a late lunch and hung up the washing. Forgot to mention today was the first time we have seen any sunshine in Paris.
We were told that the museums were open late tonight and many were free so why not go off to join the thousands with the same idea. Save a few euros and line up for hours longer than you would normally. Mapped out walking route taking in all the sights and caught the metro in and first stop the Hotel des Invalides where Louis XIV provided a home for 4000 of his disabled war veterans. Also holds the remains of Napoleon and the largest collection of the French military. Place was crowed. They were firing off a cannon and blokes were dressed up and playing with swords. All very impressive and have to go back for a better look.
Next stop the Musee Rodin. Saw the Thinker, the Kiss and the Gates Of Hell. Most impressive. lovely garden out the back, really impressed with that.
Getting dark and not half way so off we go. Next stop the Tour Eiffel. Very impressive. It's another must see and it was crowded. Dusk by the time we got to the bottom of it and we were just standing around spell bound when a group of seriously armed military/police arrived and started to spread out through the crowd. Annette wanted to leave and I kept telling myself they were just doing a 'walk through' but I tell you seeing them put the willies up you a bit. Not something you see in Australia. We do live in a lucky country despite what 3300 has to say. Good enough excuse to go, (didn't want to make the national news if something was up) so off across the Seine. Getting dark by now and the light show started on the Tower. Again impressive.
Light show.
Off to the Arc de Triomphe and by the time we got there it had just closed so we will have to go back to climb up to the top. So many places to go back to.
Spotted this in a show room on the walk back. made it all worth while. This is a must go back and have a closer look.
You can tell I'm getting old as this made me do a double take like nothing else I've seen in Paris (yet). A 907, note the twin exhaust pipes out the side before the drivers door. Lovely.
Getting really late and really tired. Can't believe how many people are in the street. Walking back was like fighting through the midday crowd in Melbourne. No drunks, hardly any rubbish, no trouble, plenty of police but they were just keeping an eye on things. We have been told that the French do not approve of anyone showing signs of intoxication. I only saw one person mildly intoxicated just before we arrived back at the apartment in the wee hours.
Caught the metro back. Wouldn't be game in Melbourne. Arrived back very foot sore.
Trev, it's not that I haven't been looking, it's just that the company I'm keeping takes a lot to beat. I must say we do feel under dressed in our walking gear but must be looking more relaxed as we were stopped three times last night by people asking for directions. (and no, we didn't have the map out).
Au revoir.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
