Adventure in the Alps!

The bakery across the street from our hotel finally opened. They had a very nice vacation, and we now have some very nice crescents! Seems like every time I say crescents, the baker has no idea what I want, but the pointing method always works.

We drove to Mt. Blanc, but of course had to stop in Annemasse for some shopping. Finally, I found a place I could afford to shop. Some good deals or at least affordable. Kirk was a dear and drank coffee at a nice cafe while I wandered up and down the shopping plaza. Beautiful fountains and one of the most urban toilets yet found.  It was all automated and mechanical and in French. Put in a coin, the door opens, walk inside, door closes, directions come over the speaker in french on what you are suppose to do, and how you are suppose to flush. I was worried I would push a button and the door would open and I would not be able to close it again. Once finished, it automatically cleaned the seat and the floor, you were suppose to leave before this happens...oops! The floor is covered with water to the drainage slots....strangest toilet yet.

We headed further up into the mountains and the sky was clear, so Mt. Blanc was awesome.  Arrived in Les Houches (close to Chamonix) and found a chairlift to the glacier, thank goodness we did not have to hike!  Got to the bottom of the glacier where there was a cafe and Kirk had a beer. While we were sitting there, a huge piece of the glacier fell away...the sound was incredible, the scree fell down the mountain in huge chunks, quite a awesome sight!

Returned to Geneva for dinner, the usual driving stress and parking panic, but we succeeded. Found a nice raclette restaurant and had delicious cheese and meat, flaming parfait for dessert and topped it off with cafe au lait. Including the parking, we spent the same as in Villigen, well worth it, what else could you expect for downtown Geneva, the Manhattan of Switzerland. Expensive, but manifique (...and another great shopping spot)!

At CERN, in the Alps, and fine dining in Geneva!

CERN. And Voltaire

CERN and Voltaire

Kirk and I spent the day at CERN, it is a incredible place. It feels like so much science and so many people. The bonding assurance lab was heaven on earth for Kirk.  So many toys, so little time.  Ian the bonding expert is brilliant, what a great resource to have.

We went to the CMS building and saw a life size picture of the detector, sent pic earlier.   The place goes on forever.  CERN is larger than most universities.

Came back to Ferney Voltaire and went looking for Voltaire's chateau, found it on the side of the mountain overlooking Mt Blanc and a field of grazing sheep.  This guy must of had money, even though he changed his name , because this house is huge and he pissed off a lot of people with his politics, fore runner of separation of church and state, and  religious freedom beliefs.  So I figured it out, I can voice my beliefs if I am rich and not get my head cut off.  But for now I better shut up. Voltaire was about religious freedom, people back then just could not handle it, probably the same as now; power, money and keeping people ignorant.
He was very prolific, wrote over 20,000 books consisting of prose, poetry, treatises...

Why people can not respect other people's beliefs and  end up taking up arms against one another is very sad, but then you have to follow the money and money is not behind respecting others beliefs. Maybe some day...

I do not think it was by accident that Voltaire and CERN are rather close to each other...tolerance and knowledge, they go hand in hand.

Voltaire said,
"I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write."  
"Ours [religion] is without a doubt the most ridiculous, the most absurd, and the most bloody to ever infect the world."

Nyon and Yviore

Talk about the medieval adventure this one takes the cake along with a price. We decided to drive to Nyon and take the ferry across Lake Geneve to Yviore, France and tour the village. So we get to Nyon which is in Switzerland, we pay 60 dollars to take a 20 minute ferry ride to Yviore to see a castle and village. Sounds reasonable, just wait....

Okay it is a beautiful day and Mount Blanc graces the skies for us to see, spectacular. We take the ferry ride with about 200 other willing and able tourist to Yviore. As we disembark you see a medieval castle that is privately owned and not available for tours, then imagine this, take fish town, put it on a steep hill, add a lot of old walls twisting and turning with every imaginable tourist shop stuffed in every nook and craney of the place and triple the price of anything you buy or eat and then make the roads 1/4 the width and cover them with uneven cobblestones. They have you pretty much trapped. The good news is no cars are allowed. I think the deal is you have to buy something and eat something and then they will let you board the ferry for Nyon, requirement I am sure.
If this is not the ultimate scheme for milking tourist I am not sure. Although we did have a lovely time. Flowers everywhere, very charming place.

We returned to Nyon and drove the coast back to Ferney Voltaire, with a stop for beer and coffee on the way. All together beautiful day.

Medieval Adventure

The room we got this time is on the third floor so we wound our way up the stairs with the big suitcase. It has a Charley Chaplin look because of three odd art clockwork on the wall, antiques everywhere and three windows this time and none of them on the street so it was quite and very cool.

The next morning we went to the market in Ferney Voltaire it is simply amazing. Everything from vegetables to dresses. We loaded up on food for the room so we could avoid the pricey restaurants. The cheese is to die for, dresses were wonderful but too expensive. So we settled for nuts, grapes, cheese and bread. All the streets in town were closed down for cars and every street was full of tents with great stuff everywhere. Kirk and I wondered around until they closed it down around 2. The streets are all very small and cobblestones with edges of buildings coming right up against the street, so you have to be very careful when crossing if there are any cars around. I like the market because there are not cars on streets that look like sidewalks.

We headed out for Annecy on the other side of Geneve about a half hour drive. This is a real medieval town. You drive to the center and then most of the streets are just for walking, much safer for us. The town is surrounded by mountains, lake and is criss crossed by canals. This is the Venice of France. Flowers, parks, ancient buildings everywhere. Plus the buildings are surrounded by water. Tunnels and bridges everywhere going from one street to another, and shops galore.

We had. A nice stroll on the waterfront then went shopping. Dinner was fondue, had to get that in before we left France. Delicious!

We returned to Geneva and strolled the waterfront and saw the water spout at night, we walked out to get wet, spectacular. Stopped by a cafe and watched all the party boats and even a pirate ship. Lots of partying on the waterfront. Time for us to go home, so back to hotel France.

Jet d'Eau at night...magnifique!

Day of tunnels

On our return from Villigen we took the long way round and went through the Alps. What a spectacular drive. Many many tunnels, and every time you turned around there was another senic pull out, we stopped at most of them. We followed a river that turned into lakes as we headed up into the mountains. We went by Interlaken, a town between two lakes, and had a geat view of the mountains. Spiez a small town in the mountains on the lake we stopped and walked around, they had 30 to 40 foot sailboats in the harbor, not sure where they sail to. Beautiful day, the tops of the mountains were covered with clues and only came into view from time to time.

We tr eled back down the mountain and returned to Ferney Voltaire and had dinner at a buffalo bar, much more reasonable prices.

Back in our favorite hotel, ready for a good night sleep.

Jet d'Eau in Geneva

The length of Switzerland

We traveled the length of Switzerland in less than 4 hours, amazing. Highway 1 seems to be the main highway that runs the distance. We had a few jogs into the countrynside recommended by Olga, which is our European Charlotte. To avoid traffic areas , got to see lots of corn, cows and quaint villages, nice scenic views.

Arrived outside Zurich a little after lunch and went to PSI, similar place to Fermi Lab in Chicago . Meet with sylvan and kirk was in hog heaven, so many gadgets that I thought we would never get out of there. I was even impressed. Fun place, Kirk could stay forever but I was getting hungry and it was after 5 and everyone at ere was leaving.

We found our little village called Villigen with the bed and breakfast on the main road. Decided to have dinner there, oops, another mistake. Chicken and vienersnitzel for a meer $130 dinner, omg! We have to get serious about this food, need to find a grocery store and stock up when we get back to Ferney Voltair, food could really be more expensive than the hotels.

The room at Hirschen was nice and clean like all things in Switzerland. We had two windows , which one over looked the main road through town, we were on the second floor, and it was very hot, so when you opened window and curtain for a breeze the whole world coming into town could see you. So Kirk was flashing the town of Villigen every time he walked across the room. I stayed in bed. The other window you could climb out and be on someones patio, not sure if it was ours or the neighbors, of yes and one wall was lime green, seems to be a trend with our hotels.

We did not even need a alarm clock, the traffic got us up rather early the next morning.

Now we are on our way to the top of the world! No not Napal but Grendelwald spelling might not be right. We are taking the very scenic route through the Alps back to Geneve. If it is clear we will see the Matterhorn. We will send pictures when we get there, it may be of fogg, but we can make believe.

Hotel de France

Hotel de France
This hotel is a little eclectic, would be a good word. The historic significance is that it was the residence of Voltaire's secretary.  It is a three story edifice that resembles a cross between Ron Weasleys and Doctor Suess homes, it is not quite altogether. If you enter with your head a little kinked it almost looks okay.

The entrance is a very nice salon which leads into a beautiful full length mahogany finished bar with a huge mirror behind it. This also doubles as the reception desk.  I guess the idea is you take a shot, then sign in and everything looks a little more right.

The staircase is unique in itself, not quit circular and not quite square, the walls are of corrugated texture painted sunflower yellow with dark lime green trim.  The floors are a little uneven but that just ads your state of mind as you venture up the stairs.   When you reach the third floor you are a little more prepared for the room you are about to enter if you can make the key work, a little trouble with that but then you enter this room that seems bigger than your typical European room.   I think this is because it has a couple of mirrors. There is a nice sitting area with fireplace, double bed off to the side, desk and closet at other end. The best part was the full bath,  Two windows with shutters, not sure how they keep warm in the winter, but they create a nice cross breeze. Weather has been rather hot and there is no A/C in Europe.

There is an interesting round mirror that reflects the entire room and other mirrors, which gives you the infinity look, not sure if anyone is looking back but you are looking back at yourself, very strange.

View from the windows covers the beautiful village of Ferney Voltaire, lots of flower boxes of geraniums, cobble stones, and cafes abound. Hard to tell if you are on a street or side walk until a car races down it and you figure that this is a street better stay to the side. Lots of boutiques that I will explore next week.   

Sunset was pink and violet softening the rain showers as the night closed in.  Time to hit the best pizza in geneve area and it is right down out street. After our 56 euro lunch we decided to look for a cheaper alternative, pizza sounded good.

A short walk down the street and we found the pizzaiera  Azzura on the second floor. Very crowded, good sign.  Getting a table was a different problem, trying to figure out if we needed to get on a list, just take a table, or wait was questionable.  We finally got seated Kirk got his beer. Now let's try and not look so American okay eat with your left hand and always have your knife in your right,  Well like Gus discovered half your food ends up on your lap especially when it is salad. And eat pizza with utensils, you've got to be kidding.  We had a great salad and pizza for less that 26 euros, we were estatic and very American.  

By now we were both very tired so we headed back to the hotel and made  it up to the third floor and fell into bed.


Gale

Geneve Switzerland

Arrived early in the morning, beautiful day. Going to behard to stay awake.

We went and got our car and it is a convertible, manual, racey looking thing. Took us over an hour once we found it to figure out how to go into reverse, use the gps and get put of a very tight parking spot. And there were only minor marital dizputes.

Geneve streets like all European cities are tight and confusing. We wound our way around town and fund the waterfront. Beautiful gardens and fountains everywhere. They are so accommodating thT they are giving out free sunscreen on the quay, just our luck or Kirk would of been a red tomato before we checked in to our hotel.

We had lunch with a beautiful view, yes we paid for the view. The water spout is beautiful.

Hotel in ferny is really funky, best word to describe it and on the 3rd floor.neat antique furniture, And we have our own bath.

Life could not be better.

Lightly Shaken

Lightly Shaken

So we were boarding in Indy and then were asked to de plane, news was that there was an earthquake in Dulles, no planes were coming or going. This was going to make for a very short trip.

They seem to get things checked out and has us in the air within the hour. Arrived at Dulles and everyone was a little more than a little shaken. Looks like there was a 5.5 earthquake. And what were we doing, flying right into it.

Flight is just running a little behind, but all flights are here, can not wait to get out of here, not looking forward to the aftershocks.

Fashion update, found a great drapping swather top that you can wear two ways,, right side up and upside down, it was in the Indy airport so if I have any money left after the trip I will get it. It is a lovely teal blue. No shoes so far.

France and Switzerland

We are off again. Will spend 10 days working and seeing some of Switzerland. Our 20 anniversay September 1st.

We started it out with a going away bash at our house. Nic was the guest of honor. We slipped and slide, had a BBQ then took in the late movie Deathly hollows. Loads of fun. Made for a late night.

Nic had been wanting to do the slip and slide since last year and we never got around to it. This time we did it even though, 1 it was a school night, 2 we were leaving for Switzerland early the next morning, and Gus had classes at Purdue. All had a great time. But then of course we had to see the last Harry Potter show that Haley and Nic had been trying to see since it came out. 1st time they went it ended half way through, next it was not showing on the late show, so finally we all saw it last night. Great movie.

We are off and running and will send pics soon.

Last Beach Walk in LesConil

Went to the bakery and got fresh cresents for breakfast. Went for a beautiful beach walk on the beach at lesconil. Going to have a crab dinner tonight, jennifer and I went to the fish market at the docks and got some crabs, and fish.
Getting all packed up for the trip home. it is going to be ugly. Kirks flight leaves at 6 am Gale and Haley leaves at 12, then kirk arrives at Indy at 5, G and H arrive at midnight. Planned that out well.  Gus will pick us all up and it will be abck to WL to see by midnight to see the wild dogs.
Adieu France. 




 

Benodet and home again Lesconil

Weather was over cast and in the morning but allowed us to get to the cafe for cresents and coffee. Took a short walk to the point and found a medevil castle. Kirk did his best impression of Monty Python riding horse with coconuts.  Got back to the boat in time for more showers. We decided not to go up the river in the rain so we read and slept most of the day.

Jennifer came and picked us up for crepes at their favorite crepery. Yummy yummy, sooo delicious. We have never eaten better.

Spent the last night on the boat and the wind settled down. We walked up the hill for some pasties and also found the farmers market.  Got some cherries and strawberries.  Had our last meal aboard and packed up.

Checked out with Oliver and headed to LesConil.  We had lunch and headed to Quimper.  Girls went shopping and we visited the Museum, Monet and many other painters with paintings of the Brittany Coast. All the landscapes had big storm clouds in them, would not be right without them.  Big waves and rocks also.

We stopped by the Super U and got some fresh shrimp for dinner and had another delicious dinner.  

Omg

Up at 5and weather did not improve. Blowing 20 to 30 , looks like a tight reach all the way up the coast. We hugged the isle de groix to stay out of the full atlantic experience for as long as possible. Jennifer and gwenelle took the ferry home and Haley should of, but she was a real trouper and earned her salty dog badge. It was really rough cold and in her words the definition of les miserables.

Got out into the ocean and the waves were GInormous, and yes that is with a big G. The squalls hit us one after another with a little sunshine in-between. It would not have been bad if we had wet gear but we were using wool blankets as outnwet gear. Se le vie, les miserables.

We had a rainbow the spanned tow squalls and still was not enoughnto make it worth it. Then the white sided dolphins came and visited us as we crossed the open water. We had a Lot of dolphins.

I put another blanket around Haley to keep her warm. The waves and wind were relentless. Haley kept asking are we there yet, dads response 2more hours, this was the response every time she asked. Haley was none to happy. Dad is this purgatory, the never ending two hours.

We all were wet and miserable, the glenan islands gave a little relief from the Atlantic swells, but did not stop the squalls from hitting us one after another. I kept promising haley as many tokens for the shower as she wanted.

The driving kept you warm and was a challenge to keep the waves from crashing over the bow and keeping the boat on course but fun if it was not soooo cold. We rounded the buoy to Benodet and were able to crack off a bit and make the sailing not so wet. Drenched to the bone and freezing we rounded the bouy for Benodet and could head down a bit.

Got into the harbor at 12, 6 hour trip. Haley was first off to the showers. We tied up the boat and hung out wet gear to dry so we would have blankets for the night. Now that is ugly.

Had gwenelle and Jennifer to dinner, they made home without any problem on the train, where we all wished to be.

Nice cozy night in the harbor. Alls well that ends well.

Ile de groix

Had a few rain squalls come through in the night but the day proved to be beautiful. We showered and moved to the inter harbor so we could have a slip with a dock. We are docked right next to the wall, which is a damn that only raises at high tide to let the boats out, craziest thing you ever saw. I will send a picture at low tide.

We bought a bunch of fish, mussels, and abalonies for dinner at the fish market. We rented bikes and took a tour of the island. Similar to the size of Mac island but has more towns and coves all around. it also has cars, but small cars. We had a beach walk and heard back to Port Tudy, looks a little over cast but not raining yet.

Planning on a big sailing day THursday, there is a mountainy with half the crew, it looks like it will be rough tomorrow. But the sailing will be fun. A little wild for the faint of heart. Hope to make it up the coast as far as possible tomorrow.

Lie de glennan voyage to groix

Beautiful sail to glenan lots of rocks and we had to weave our way into the anchorage. The tide is 4 meters and one island turns into two islands at low tide. We landed at low tide and did Manage to accenditly put where. Hide tide would not wash away the dinghy,lucky us did a beach walk and found lots of glass. Big sailing school on the island we watched go out. Took a stroll around the island and by the time we returned there was one island and the dingy did not float away.

Had a great scallop dinner and a beautiful sunset. Nice clam evening.

Next morning we woke to rain and low visibility so we had pancakes and decided to see if it would clear. We had some great entertainment, a 30foot sailboat tried to cross the low water area and got stuck on the rocks, we got to see them successful get off the rocks with the help of the sailing instructors. Better than Internet or tv haley thought.

We headed out when the rain let up. A light mist and small swell with 5 mile visibility. The waves built and we had large swells before we got far. Waves and wind from different directions the crew was none too happy. We ended up tacking down wind but the ride was rough. This was a mr. Toads wild ride not a good idea with newbies. Only one auto jib, i was on the helm, oops, I got a whack to the head, just in case I did not remember that is a bad idea. The waves and wind were at two different directions, when you could surf it was great, when you missed the wave it was let's say no so good. It took both Kirk and I steering, it was exhausting.

We found the harbor and were escorted in. They have pilot boats that come out and take you in. We rafter up to a boat that was on a bout and everybody was ready for some dry land. This was a harbor that has a damn at the entrance of part of it to keep the boats a float. We are not in this part but it is really funny looking, but allows more boats to anchor in the harbor.

Went up to the grocery store and had some pizza, headed to a cafe for some drinks and then lamp chops on the boat. Another delicious dinner by Jennifer.

There is a huge ferry that comes in here almost hourly, it is huge amazing how it fits in here.

Great coffee this morning. Off to the shower.

Got to lie de groix at 5:30 and we were all glad to be ashore. We had a boat boy show us how to get into the harbor And we gouged up next to another boat.

Nice and warm on land. It was welcome by all. Cafe at a cafe and little of shopping and we were back to the boat.

Sailing on riv Odets river

We arrived at saint marine at 11:30 and found the marine and the boat. No like CYC but next best. We got checked out in French started loading the boat, the good news was that we are only a half hour away from Jennifers so we could go back to her house and get what we forgot.

As we got checked in Jennifer made her first trip back to the house. The dock boy showed up so we signed up for the night. When Jennifer returned we headed out for the river. Wee did a river cruise to check out the boat. The tide was coming in so we went upstream real fast. We rounded on sharp bend and came face to face with a big river boat, lots of current and a little exciting. Every now and then around the next bend we would see a chateau, really pretty scenery. Made it all the way up to quimper. We found an arm of the river we went up and anchored in for dinner.

Kirk could not refrain from a river adventure in the dingy. We left the girls in the boat and got in the dingy, this time with the oars, extra fuel and headed up the river. We were rewarded with running out of gas but had a back up, and another chateau.

Dinner for us was scallops with a wonderful sauce and the girls had brauts. We almost finished the macaroni. We re informed that to add cheese to macaroni was the worst faux pau you could do. So we have not been able to ad cheese to the mix, so buy more pesto.

Had a quick trip down the river as the tide was going out, under the big bridge and back to the dock. Our slip was taken and could not raise the Dock master, so we went into another slip that was pretty tricky, only a few bumps and twists and we settled in.

The stars were out and the skies are clear.

Heading out to the islands tomorrow.

The tides. Had turned so we jaded back down river.

Off to the Races

Another beautiful day on the Brittany coast. Walked to the bakery then the internet cafe. Finally updated my Ipad and figured out how to take and send pictures. I am doing a survey on how to ask for coffee and get it the way I want it, seems to change with the cafes, cafe ole, coffee latti, the soy is out of the question no soy in France., the key is to get a big cup of coffee and cream, skim is also out of the question. Pretty much getting what I want most of the time.

Got some laundry done and went to the close beach. It was low tide and the boats were all beached, it sure looks funny. The boats are stilted with their keels stuck in the sand. Simply amazing.

Went grocery shopping for boat stuff and got all packed for the boat. Had dinner and I got to drive to Brest to pick up Kirk at the airport. Driving is interesting. Round about after round about after round about. Once you have the rules down it is easier. Stay in left lane when you enter round about, you have more rights. Once in round about you have all rights, that includes cutting someone behind you off if you want to exit round about.  Try you hardest to avoid being on the left, because everyone on the right has priority over you. Driving is pretty much passive aggressive,like Gwennelle says he whos has the most guts wins. The drive to Brest was uneventful, thankfully. There was little or no traffic that made it nice.

Kirk was only 15 minutes late and we were back in Lesconil by midnight. Kirks plane ticket was a whole nother story, I thought I was bookingit at 10 in the morning, oops, Gale really is not goof at time but we all know that.

Perfect timing with the leftovers, Kirk cleared out the frig so we are ready to head for the boat.

Paris, yes, but lets go sailing too!

Now that the whole family has been to Paris at one time or another we have never been there together and it is not going to happen this time either. Gus will be home taking care of the dogs and working to pay for college. Haley, Kirk and I will be heading to Paris for a day then Kirk will be off to CERN for work while Haley and I explore Paris. Then we will go to Lesconil, a small village on the Bay of Biscay for some relaxing beach, windsurfing, shelling activity. Kirk will arrive in a week to cruise out of La Marine for a week sailing the islands off the coast. Plans are made so we should be good to go on the 25th.

June 29/30

Early morning trip to Lesconil.  Up at 7, got to CDG and lots of flights were canceled, baggage strike.  . . Our flight was only delayed and not canceled. Thank goodness for Jennifer we negotiated CDG, we had gotten off at the wrong terminal and did not realize it but had plenty of time to get to the other terminal. Went to board the flight and they stopped me from boarding with the rest, I had to wait for the next bus even when I told them my daughter was ahead of me, it took about 20 minutes to catch up with them but we all ended up on same plane. We all slept though the flight and no noisy kids on board.

We rented the car after a bit of a delay, attendant went home since we did not show up on time, plane was delayed.  So he had to catch the bus back to the airport. And we were off  through the round abouts and weird traffic signs and made it to Lesconil in about a little over an hour. Driving is definitely a little strange, even different than in Switzerland.

The cottage is on Sables Blanc, white sand street,  old cottage with modern interior, really cute and cozy. We unloaded and started to work opening up the cottage.  I worked in the garden to fix it up.  Went grocery shopping and got flowers and planted them and weeded a lot and everything was good as new, very small garden. The cottage is a block from the beach, bakery and harbor, the village is a lot like Leland, with a fishery, restaurants, café and all. Beautiful  beaches and weather.  The houses share walls and the streets are not much bigger than our sidewalks.  Nothing is straight everything kind of curves with the coast line so you are never quite sure where you are. And not many speak English so there is a lot of hand signals going on when I am alone. Haley has been a great translator.  There is a sailing center similar to TACS, with all kinds of lessons. Lots of kids in Optis’s, also lessons in windsurfing, kayaking and the most amusing, water walking.

The shrimpers come into the harbor and you can buy shrimp right off the boats, fresh and delicious. The tides are 12 feet high. Amazing half the harbor is out of the water at low tide and half the boats sit cradled on the sand when the tide is out.  It is really funny to see a sail boat with the keel in half way sunk in the sand and just beached waiting for the next tide. 

We went up to Quimper and checked out the local pottery, cathedral, town square, shopping and had lunch in the park.  Lots of shops, cobble stones, small streets that double as sidewalks, you think you are on a sidewalk until a car toots at you to get out of the middle of the street. It is similar to Nuevo Paseo in Santa Barbara but with cars.

We are all taking it easy recovering from the Paris adventure, beach walks, cafes, and crepes to die for. We went out to a crepery, what fun, all that is on the menu of course is crepes and you order one crepe at a time, similar to ordering susihi but crepes, until you are full, then you order sugary crepes for desert, loads of fun and delicious.

 A real relaxing vacation. Spent the afternoon on a beautiful beach Gwenelle took us to, gaint granite rocks similar to the North Channel landscape, jetting out into the Atlantic with grainy white sand beach.  The coast faces south so if you went straight out from the port you would run into Spain, just like Santa Barbaras coast.  Weather has been just wonderful.

We pick up Kirk tonight at Brest and board the boat Sunday, Bon voyage!

JUNE 28

Now this was going to be another marathon day. We were up early, cresents and juice and headed to the Metro.  The first stop was Musee d’ Orsay. A beautiful renovated train station, the line was long but we manage to buy a ticket from an outside vendor and leap frogged one line, he informed us on how the system worked. It was good.  The girls got in free and we ended up with a 2 day pass good for all the museums in Paris almost.  It was like a Minnie Louvre a little of everything but you could get through it in a reasonable amount of time.  Favorite was Degas sculptured Ballerina, I read the book and that was great to see it.  Haley liked Cornets self-portrait, Matisse I also liked a lot.

Gwenelle and Jennifer headed out for shopping. Haley and I went for the Pompidou, we were pretty proud of ourselves to negotiate the Metro and end up at the right station. Hard to miss the Pompidou when you came out of the Metro, bigger than life right in front of you.

We decided to go to the bead shop first then come back to the Pompidou after lunch. We found the bead shop with a little trouble and discovered everyone shut down for lunch, so we had lunch at a Crepery delicious, this had to have been our favorite restaurant so far.  We headed for the Pompidou and found out it was closed, and I had a ticket to get in but alas no getting in today. We went back to the bead store and got a few beads. Found a purse that we could not pass up.  Then we were sooo hot we stopped at a café that had a water spriters misting you with water it was great. We asked for a fruit drink and fruit, then we noticed it had a rainbow flag up.

Next stop was Sacer Cour, we did the Metro again and met up with Jennifer and Gwenelle. TTook the funicular to the top, thought it was to hot to walk, well once you were inside you thought you were inside a microwave oven, it was hot. Once at the top there was a breeze and we did cool down.  The view of Paris was fantastic.  We also toured Montmarte where there were many artists painting in the street.  Haley spotted a Dali display and we went through that.

It started to rain a bit so we stopped off for dinner and a café under a big viney tree.  Had great food again.  The rain stopped so we headed down the hill to the Siene for our bike ride.  We were going to make this day happen and fit everything in.

We got to the bikes and figured them out and we were off, lots of traffic but we rode down the Seine to the ET.  It was still light and the lights were not on. The rain was starting up again so we stopped and locked the bikes up and found a café for desert.  It started raining hard.  Jennifer went out to the trinket store and got an umbrella, I had one.  We ate desert and had coffee as the heavens opened and poured down. Just as we were leaving to see the ET, the rain stopped, we had another spectacular view of the ET all lite up. Photo op time. 

A great success got on the Metro and got on the RER and got home before all the trains stopped. What a day.  We all packed up and got ready for the trip to LesConil.