Day 19 Bordeaux to Paris (300 miles)
My first night camping alone on this trip was oddly restful, despite the damp weather and damper atmosphere, it being cold and lonely without Anton's cheery presence.
I had fallen into a deep reverie during our mountainous journey out of Spain. And my inward focus continued as our group breakfasted and struck camp in readiness for our journey through France. The others wisely avoided conversing with me, perhaps sensing my deep need to figure things out for myself.
I had fallen into a deep reverie during our mountainous journey out of Spain. And my inward focus continued as our group breakfasted and struck camp in readiness for our journey through France. The others wisely avoided conversing with me, perhaps sensing my deep need to figure things out for myself.
An hour into our northward journey, my mood unaccountably brightened, and I began to look forwards instead of backwards. Our tour was right on schedule, yet our amazing drivers still had a few amazing treats in store for us.
Instead of returning us and the Love Bus to Belgium, as planned, they arranged a wonderful surprise for our group. We would arrive in Paris that afternoon, and remain there all evening and overnight! This meant that we were free to explore the City of Love and enjoy one
last relaxed communal meal before heading home the next day.
On the following morning, however, a different driver and vehicle would meet us at our Parisian Pension, who would drive us all back to London via the Dover Ferry.
On the following morning, however, a different driver and vehicle would meet us at our Parisian Pension, who would drive us all back to London via the Dover Ferry.
Eager not to waste any time upon our arrival, we broke the "no eating in LOVE BUS" rule with a lunch of bread, cold meats, apples and cheese, whilst travelling. As a result, we were able to check into our rooms in the City of Lights at just past 3pm.
Our drivers needed to arrange for repairs to the Love Bus, so we were each free to spend a few hours doing whatever we pleased before reuniting at the Pension for one last supper as a group. The two drivers promised to make all the arrangements for that final meal before re-joining our group later.
Our drivers needed to arrange for repairs to the Love Bus, so we were each free to spend a few hours doing whatever we pleased before reuniting at the Pension for one last supper as a group. The two drivers promised to make all the arrangements for that final meal before re-joining our group later.
The late hour and relentless rain made us reconsider a much anticipated trip up the Eiffel Tower since the view from the top would be all but obscured by low cloud. And visiting any other Parisian landmark would demand more time than we had that day. Yet none of us was disappointed.
Despite our short time allocation, there was a lot that we were still able to do and see. But we had no time to waste! So we headed, en masse, for the Visitor's Information Office.
PRESS HERE for stunning views of Paris from the Eiffel Tower
Armed with advice and the relevant brochures, the nurses, a couple of the men and I happily stepped onto a waiting open-topped, double-decker bus to go Sightseeing in Paris.
Climbing to the open top deck, we spent the next couple of hours enjoying the sites.
It being the early seventies, our bus tour was unescorted, but the brochures helped to inform us of landmarks along the route.
The Eiffel Tower, for instance is an iron lattice tower was built in 1889 by Gustave Eiffel and, at 324 metres, is the tallest building in Paris and one of the most visited monuments in the world.
Our bus took us past The Musee du Louvre,
originally a royal fortress, that would take several hours to explore, since the world renowned museum houses a total of 35,000 works of art.
After the Louvre, our bus circumnavigated the Arc de Triomph, this time - thankfully - with a more knowledgeable French driver at the wheel.
We couldn't believe we were actually in Paris!
And in the Springtime too!
How lucky were WE?!!
Despite our short time allocation, there was a lot that we were still able to do and see. But we had no time to waste! So we headed, en masse, for the Visitor's Information Office.
PRESS HERE for stunning views of Paris from the Eiffel Tower
photo by kind courtesy of https://twitter.com/YourEiffelTower
Climbing to the open top deck, we spent the next couple of hours enjoying the sites.
It being the early seventies, our bus tour was unescorted, but the brochures helped to inform us of landmarks along the route.
The Eiffel Tower, for instance is an iron lattice tower was built in 1889 by Gustave Eiffel and, at 324 metres, is the tallest building in Paris and one of the most visited monuments in the world.
photo by kind courtesy of www.bigbustours.com
photo by kind courtesy of
http://kenkaminesky.photoshelter.com/image/I0000w0vrVOi9mRQ
Our bus took us past The Musee du Louvre,
originally a royal fortress, that would take several hours to explore, since the world renowned museum houses a total of 35,000 works of art.
After the Louvre, our bus circumnavigated the Arc de Triomph, this time - thankfully - with a more knowledgeable French driver at the wheel.
photo by kind courtesy of http://www.inspiredinfrance.com
From the Arc de Triomph, we made our way past the cathedral of Notre Dame and L'Hotel des Invalides to Palais Garnier, Paris' Opera House and the Grand Palais, around the Place de la Concorde to the Church of the Madeleine, Trocadero, Place Vendome, Ecole Militaire and Sacre Coeur.
Please press each of the links below, for more information
about the different Parisian sites we saw.
photo by kind courtesy of http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/france
photo by kind courtesy of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Invalides
PRESS HERE to see the Palais Garnier Opera House photo by kind courtesy of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palais_Garnier
photo by kind courtesy of www.wikipaintings.org
PRESS HERE for info about La Madeleine photo by kind couresy of http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/paris
photo by kind courtesy of tourbytransit.com
photo by kind courtesy of http://courses.umass.edu/latour/2010/vendome
PRESS HERE for information on L'Ecole Militaire
photo by kind courtesy of en.wikipedia.org/wiki/École Militaire
photo by kind courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org
PRESS HERE for information on Bateau Mouche
Our drivers had organized a surprise dinner cruise for us aboard a Bateau Mouche. Although nowhere near as fancy as the one shown here, our stalwart craft glided under the bridges of Paris with ease, showcasing the city's history for our still-hungry eyes.
The evening sun made an appearance, just before it set, as we were helping ourselves to the
Today's menu is quite extensive, including
starters of Pan-fried slice of foie gras, roasted pears and licorice juice or Tender crab cake, dill and red onions.
Main course options include Fillet of squab confit with sweet potato and parsnip purée or Pan-seared thick-cut beef with truffled mashed potatoes or Sea bass roasted on its skin with carrot tournedos. And the
dessert options include Milk chocolate dome with salted butter caramel, Puff pastry strips and lemon yogurt, Vanilla bavarois with chocolate ganache
We were each able to relax and share our experiences whilst our bateau glided beneath the several gilded bridges of Paris - each a work of art in its own right.
What a thrill it was to glide past the Notre Dame Cathedral and other Parisian landmarks, whilst sipping wine aboard a floating restaurant. For me, this final experience was the perfect way to wrap up our magnificent three-week adventure.
Tomorrow, we would return to
London and our 'normal' lives,
London and our 'normal' lives,
but for that one memorable evening,
j'etais une Parisienne!
j'etais une Parisienne!
Day 20 Paris to London (282 miles)
Morning brought blue skies and warmer temperatures, just in time for us to bid farewell to the City of Lights. Despite the delectable food, our romantic trip down the Seine had been a bitter-sweet experience for me without Anton to share it. But I had made the most of it, enjoying the tales my travel companions shared about their trips.
Following a modest continental breakfast at our Pension, we met our new driver and new bus. Our two regular drivers had unloaded our back packs and personal items onto the new bus, before disappearing to get some much needed repairs done on the Love Bus.
Happily, we had been able to spend our final evening in Paris, aboard the bateau with them, and had all raised a glass and heartily toasted them for creating such a wonderfully memorable trip for all of us.
Happily, we had been able to spend our final evening in Paris, aboard the bateau with them, and had all raised a glass and heartily toasted them for creating such a wonderfully memorable trip for all of us.
And what a trip it had been!
From a shaky start, driving in endless circles around the Arc de Triomph, our road had led us through the picturesque wine country of Southern France. The very next day, we encountered Nature's wrath in the form of washed out roads, bridges and campsites in mountainous Basque country. Never daunted, we persisted and within 24 hours were to enjoy Paella and Sangria in Madrid, which was quickly followed by total immersion in the marvels of Toledo. And then came the piece de resistance, The achingly beautiful Alhambra in Granada, followed by a night on the beach and sunrise over the Mediterranean. Spain had greeted us with a tantrum but bid us a brief farewell with a smile.
Morocco was a crazy week of exploration, excitement and excellent food. Despite my unpleasant encounter at the tannery, I had enjoyed myself immensely, swimming in the outdoor pool, haggling in the Medina, seeing and meeting the artisans at work, learning about the national food and culture of this ancient land, all the while being romanced by Anton. What more could a vibrant young woman want?
Back across the Straits of Gibraltar, we had then driven through the historical cities of Andalusia, en route to the endless party and visual spectacle that was Seville at Feria. And what a marvelously uplifting time we had all enjoyed there! To this day, I can still manage the basic claps of Flamenco, though I confess my feet no longer manage the steps.
Salamanca was a pleasant surprise, even though I already knew that Spain's educational heritage was extensive and encompassed many centuries. The hotel was a special treat for everyone, even though most spent the night camping.
I was very glad that the rain had stopped for our second visit to San Sebastian. That city has since become a much loved destination for British holiday goers, ironically for its many hours of sunshine as well as its extensive views of the beautiful Bay of Biscay.
I was very glad that the rain had stopped for our second visit to San Sebastian. That city has since become a much loved destination for British holiday goers, ironically for its many hours of sunshine as well as its extensive views of the beautiful Bay of Biscay.
Our return trip through France might have proven quite mundane, had our Love Bus not needed urgent repairs in Paris. But, since it had, our drivers had turned disaster into opportunity by ensuring that our European excursion ended in HIGH style, in the City of Love.
But now they, and our stalwart Love Bus, had vanished, never to be seen again! It was a wild gipsy life our drivers had chosen, but what an exciting way for two Aussies to explore Europe! I would miss their cheery smiles and off-beat viewpoint that was always able to see the upside of any dire situation.
Our new driver wasted no time in chauffeuring us to Calais, and onto the cross-channel Ferry to Dover. The 90-minute crossing was the last opportunity for the 10 of us to exchange addresses and phone numbers before reaching England.
It was far too late for lunch by the time we reached Victoria Station - the starting and ending point of our adventure. So, rather than spend what was left of our cash on what passes for food in British Rail stations, we all opted to go our separate ways, promising to meet when our photos had been developed and printed.
It was far too late for lunch by the time we reached Victoria Station - the starting and ending point of our adventure. So, rather than spend what was left of our cash on what passes for food in British Rail stations, we all opted to go our separate ways, promising to meet when our photos had been developed and printed.
Though the trip itself now
SEEMED to be over,
fate still had some bizarre
twists in store for me.
But you'll have to wait
for the Epilogue to
find out how and why!
* * * * *
Coming Soon!
Parties, Photographs and Peculiar People
IN
IN
* * * * *
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