Travel to Paris

Travel day to Paris!

Once again, woke to a slightly better day. The river outside our room looked lovely with some young lads fishing off the lock.

We had removed the smelly cheese form the car (thank heavens) and we tidied up all the odds and ends that we had accumulated.

We have had a lovely stay in the Loire at Moulin du Port, probably not as flash as our abode in Loches, but certainly comfortable and with very gracious hosts.

A quick photo stop to get pics of the Moulin and, off to gay Paris of us.

None of the shagging around on B/C/D roads this time. Full tilt at 130 kph for Paris, ducking and diving like a true frog. Bloody Dutch need to learn how to drive on motorways!! Speed up, slow down, in the wrong lane.

Now it is not a well-known fact but there is no reciprocal traffic arrangement between Holland and France so anything the Dutch do in France they get for zip. No speed fines nil zero. What an opportunity!

The roads get busier, smaller and tighter as we get onto the notorious Paris ring road, La peripherique!! John has had previous experiences on this road with the first being truly frightening back in 1986!! But, he is now a dab hand. Merde, get out of my lane. Changing lane here guys, better make room for me. Zip, zap zoom, like a true Parisian!!

Without TomTom we would have been toast!! Hands were gripping the steering wheel a little tighter, the music on the car radio not well listened to, and Kris got really quiet. But, in true style, we cruised through all the way to CDG and right into the rental car return slot. Piece of piss!!!!

Advised the guys I was leaving them some beers in the back, and that was that. Car gone. Colour was crap and the engine was gutless but it got us around safe and sound. Not as nice as a Eurolease new car but, we only needed it for one week. Next time……

Into the airport and boy are we getting good at this. RER train tickets bought and sitting heading into Paris. Then the heavens open, the temperature drops 6 degrees; welcome to Paris. We get off at our destination with no probs and, using TomTom once again, arrive at our hotel within a couple of minutes. Last time it took us over half an hour. Perhaps we made some wrong turns last time. The lovely Monsieur Jean, whom we remembered from last year, welcomed us well and we were back home at Sofitel.

A quick dust off and we hit the streets, heading for Mouffetard for a coffee at Place Contrascarpe, followed by a further walk up to the Pantheon to buy our museum passes then back to the hotel. After hunting up meals we decide on a Vietnamese restaurant just off Contrascarpe and we were not disappointed. We were the only diners when we arrived but on leaving, the place was full with others being turned away. The food was gorgeous, great flavours and not chili hot which suited Kris.

A happy trip back down the hill and tucked up in bed.

Another lovely day. No car, but we are in Paris!!