Palace

Lost in Bordeaux

Oh dear Pam and I got very lost yesterday afternoon during our free time in Bordeaux and almost missed the bus!!!  We were 5 minutes late by the time we eventually found the meeting place, everyone had gone and we were left non-plussed.  We had been given specific instructions to ask a French person if we became lost.  We did this on four occassions and were given a bum steer each time!  Eventually , more by good luck that goood management we began  to 'find' our way to the meeting point.  We tried to call the guide, Julian, who told us we must do this, we should always have his phone number on us.  Three times we got his answering machine!!!!  Anyhow OUR common sense prevailed, we made our way to where the bus let us off and lo and behold there was the bus, full of people, with the guide standing and flapping on the street corner - supposedly looking for us.  We think that maybe he was going to pick up any two people that he could to make up the numbers!!!!
To cut a long story short, I had a very serious discussion with him, we have had very good service all day today and he has made sure that we have been in attendance at each meeting point.

Today we have been to the wine growing area around Bordeaux.  There are vines everywhere growing red merlot grapes. I tried some but gave up after I saw a bottle worth 110 000 Euros.  I didn't approach it for fear of breaking it.  The land is worth $5million per hectare there.  Much of it is owned now by insurance companies who invest there.  The chateaus there are very nice looking - but I am pleased that I am not doing the cleaning.

We also went for lumch at some swanky eatery which seemed to have spiral staircases to Heaven.  It rained while we were eating and one table had been left free. It soon became obvious why as the water poured down into a strategically placed pot plant.  Another three course meal of quiche and salad (garnish Pam called it), duck and and some other unidentifiable stuff and a chocolate mouse followed by strong coffee that you could stand your spoon up in without fear of it falling.

After lunch we went to visit St Emilion's cave where he lived for 17 years and an underground church that the Benadictine monks had hewn from the limestone. We also went in the catacombes where they had buried the dead ones.  If you were rich you could also be buried there.  There were no bones though, they had been removed to a museum. Tourists kept stealing them.   Hope my bones never make it to a museum!

 This is the church that Pam and I were gawking at wehn we the Gods intervened and lost us.

 This is where your next bottle of merlot is coming from - if you can afford it in about 10 years time.

Both stainless steel and oak casks are used

These casks have merlot already in them and they will be left there for a lonnnng time before bottling.  2011 vintage.

Pam and I in with the casks!

An old Fiat car that we saw in a car park.

 

Tonight we are washing etc for tomorrow we are off to Tours through the Loire River Valley where there are more vines etc.  Apparently we are going to visit an ABC (another bloody castle) on the way which has furniture and tapestries- maybe I should throw a few pieces that I like into the already bulging suitcase!  Ian. be sure to bring the trailer when coming to the airport!

Carcassonne

From the outside of the walled city

 

 

On the way from Nice we went to Carcassonne which is a walled city extensively restored.  Within the walled area there is the palace and other residences.  It has been restored.  Apparently it is where "Robin Hood Prince of Thieves' was filmed.  Quite an intereting group of buildings.  Of course we were given the 'lecture' about how it was built by the various conquerers through history which is usually very interesting but not at 6pm in the afternoon after a full day of travel!

Biarritz - the beach with the Atlantic Ocean.  In the back ground is the beach house of one of the royals, it is now a hotel.

 

Yesterday we went to Lourdes.  We were supposed to only view but the guide, Julien, took us to visit through all of the Basilica on top of St Bernadette's grotto where the apparitions (all 18) took place.  There were lots of people and lots of shops selling religious souvenirs - big business.  We took a bottle of water each to drink.  Quite an interesting site.

 The enitre bay at Biarritz looking from the lighthouse.

 

Yesterday afternoon we arrived here in Biarritz for a one night stay.  It is an Atlantic Ocean resort town - the high end of town where things are very expensive.  We arrived on Market day and had 2 hours to stroll around.  Pam and I found the chocolate shop and the beach.  I'm not sure that the waves come crashing in on this beach, but that certainly wasn't happening yesterday.  It became cold, wet and windy during the late afternoon, so hope this isn't going to last for too long.

This morning Pam has gone on an extra tour to the Pyrenees and a Funicular ascent.  The scenic drive hangs of a precipice I'm told, so decided to stay at home and catch up on some housekeeping etc.  I am sure she will enjoy it although the weather isn't being as kind as we would have liked.  Apparently we can expect this cooler, wetter weather for a few days.  We have been lucky so far with lovely weather really so should not complain.

Later this morning we set of for Bordeaux for 2 days.  We will be visiting a French Chatuea Estate where will will wine taste.  Pam and I have decided that we are quite fond of Rose.  Last night for dinner we entreated the tour guide to give us Rose instead of a white wine.  We were able to finish the bottle between us before the rest were able to share!  Don't worry we are told that you don't wake up with a head ache as there are no preservatives.  We have been well fed with a dinner at almost every stop included.  These have been three course meals and of course you can't leave any on your plate - that would be considered rude I'm sure.  I'm sure when we get off the plane in Brisbane Pam's husban, Ian, will be able to roll us into the car!!!  Of course at each stop there is gelato and we must try every flavour before we come home.  And the cakes, slices and tarts in the little pattisseries are both cheap and wonderful and they don't skimp on the size of the slice also.  The bread is to die for - crusty and tasty.  Each day we havee to have a baquette with ham and salad with cheese.  Someone has to keep the French economy rolling along and at the moment Pam and I feel that it is our duty.  I hope you folk at home are working hard to keep up the funds for us. 

We checked out some real estate near Avignon and decided that maybe we should never go home.!!!!  Pam's husband didn't send enough money for us to purchase and stay unfortunately!

We have both been well, with no colds, sniffles or headaches fortunately.   Occassionally the old bones get a bit stiff and sore from the long bus drives but apart from that things have been great - touch wood.

Nice

Well here we are in Nice, having passed through Lyon, Avignon and Provence.  That was a whirlwind.  The country around Avignon and Provence is beautiful with crops and vineyards.  They didn't give us much wine at the wine tasting but we made up for it at the free dinner.

Yesterday as we came in we went to Monaco where you have to pay before you are allowed to enter.  You can become a citizen if you are a billionaire.  Guess that counts most of us out.

The pictures on the end of this building were done by that famous street painter artist - Kubler or something like that.  This is in Lyon

This is the harbour of Monaco.  It is only a small part of it.  I couldn't fit the rest of it in.  They are having a yacht show hence lots of expensive boats and classy people.

This is the church in Monaco where the Grimaldis get married and buried.  We saw Grace's and Ranier's graves which are in the church with all the rest of their dead relatives.

 

Today has been a 'rest' day in Nice.  This morning we went and found a laundromat - no small feat.  This afternooon Pam is doing some high roads and a perfumery but that high stuff isn't for me!

Tomorrow we head south even further - almost to the Spanish border and then continue on to the west coast of France.
Now I am off to the beach to sit and walk and relax.  It feels strange to do nothing.  Even better than work!

Last day in Paris

Today we have had a busy day in Paris walking from place to place and riding the buses.  We went to the Place de la Concorde and through the gardens of Louvre.  We went to the shopping complex of Lafayette where we were supposed to be impressed as they had all of the big brands on sale.
Tonight we joined the people from the new trip.  They were 46 in number so no empty seats  to move around in.  The guide is a Frenchman who was educated in the US so has a very strange accent.  Pam says if he continues to call us his 'family' many more times she will put him under the bus and make him into an organ donor.  We have only had him since 5pm this afternoon - so a total of less that 4 hours!

Lunch today

The crowd trying to see Mona Lisa at the Louvre

 

Outside Moulin Rouge - a fantastic show!

 

Lunch today

 

Lunch today

 

We have an early start tomorrow - off to Lyon, a long drive.  The guide also made us very 'happy' by telling us this hotel would be the best of the trip.  We thought it was pretty ordianry to be quite honest so it will be interesting to see what the rest are like.  Oh happy days ahead.

Versailles, Paris

Today has been a long day at Versailles with a small group of 8 and a lovely young lady guide.  It was another free day because of Heritage Weekend for Parisians and other visitors.  We even got a refund of part of our ticket from the company because there was no fee to get into one part of the palace.
The palaces and other buildings were very ornate.  Although they were kings and queens I wouldn't like to have lived in their time.  The Sun King, Lois XIV, lived till he was 77 but during that time he only had 11 baths.  He did everything with an audience - yes, EVERYTHING!!!  Each day they 'powdered' or had a wipe over -that was all, no bathrooms or toilets.
Mary Antoinette's little hamlet that she built 6 years before her beheading was quaint but in a bad state of disrepair so we were unable to go into the buildings.
The thing that impressed me the most was the gold leaf that gilded almost everything.  WOW, the expense.  No wonder it is well guarded and has high security. 
We had lunch at a small resteraunt in the grounds.  It originally was a stable so had feed and hay troughs.

King Lois XIVs bed - glad he didn't fall out, he would have broken his neck!  The rail is where people stood behind and watched his every move.

A very small part of the gardens at Versailles.  I think I might try to replicate these in my front yard.  Only problem is that I can't fit in the lakes and fountains.

This is the restaraunt where we had lunch.  Notice the feed troughs and hay racks.  The floor was the original cobbles - hard on the feet after a day of walking.

 

All of the doors are very ornate, gilded with gold leaf.

 

We are now back in Paris and thinking about a walk to the Tower or a boat ride - decision still pending!

Paris - Day 1

Today we caught the train from Frankfurt at 9.00am.  We arrived in Paris at 12.50pm - a fast and very comfortable trip.  Pam thinks we should be able to ride like that everywhere, plenty of leg room and the seats were very good too.  We were served a meal at about 10.30am.
 We found a taxi which brought us to the Novotel here in Paris.  It is OK but a bit squeezy and claustrophobic in the bath room.  Nowhere to hang all of the washing so there are unmentionables hanging from most things.
This afternoon we walked for 4 hours to the Eiffel Tower, the L'Arc to Triomphe and down the main shopping street where they sell ordinary things at very expensive prices.
The plan is to go to Versailles tomorrow for the day, then the next morning we are going to go up the Eiffel Tower.  Today the place was crawling with people all over the city as all the museums and attractions were free - some special day, so even walking was difficult, dodging and weaving people, bikes and cars, not to mention the odd dog dropping.
On Monday night we are going to Moulin Rouge.  We hope to get in lots of sight seeing on Monday before then and then again Tuesday before we meet up with the tour group at 5.00pm for drinks or something.

Pam taking photo of Herbie with the smallest bread rolls we haveever seen anywhere!  We escaped to a resteraunt out of the cold and rain.

Enjoying the music on our Prague river cruise.  It was freezing!  I never knew that wind blew through leather before.

Unfortunately it rained when we got to Prague making it wet and miserable.  The wind was so bitterly cold.  I wouldn't like to be there in winter.  We really didn't see Prague at its best.

This is a vehicle where 10 people sit at the 'bar' and pedal and drink beer as it meanders through the streets.  Looks like a lot of fun and they are very noisy!  I think it takes a lot of beer to keep it moving.

This is the view from the door of the Novotel where we are staying in Paris.

 

Under the Tower, working up enough courage to go to the top on Monday!!!!!!!!  I think Pam may have a job ahead of her to get me there, but I will be trying.!

 

Our last day of the Bohemian trip was mostly spent in travel and then a dinner at night with the people before we all went our separate ways.  We had been fortunate as the group was small and mostly very nice people from all walks of life.  Let's hope the next trip is the same.