Monday 18th July
Earliest start by far with the aim for us of catching the train and for Hannake making sure we left and didn’t stay for good. Instructions of turning left at the pig for the station worked, much to everyone’s amazement and we set up our picnic after waddling and squeezing through the seats to dump our packs. Dutch kisses to all for a fab stay and for having us.
An hour into the journey concern arose when the train stopped and a French announcement made, after finding a translator we found out it was only animals on the track. 5 hours later we pulled into Paris and learnt the French disembark trains as fast as the Asians do boats. General puzzlement later we mastered the train to Melun and trekked le new campsite, as always the longest and wrongest route first.
Our pitch was slightly oversized for our tent leading to indecisiveness of where to pitch it – luckily it is not a challenge to move it. Dinner was brought over to the pitch by a small child on a bike so chips and a movie signalled the end of a very long travel day and as always the good weather came to an end and the rain came in overnight.
Tuesday 19th July
The longest travel day to date of 8 hours in transit and heavy rain led to an unplanned rest day. After gaining courage to run through the torrential rain we took cover at the bar. A wander into the mystery town of Melun led to a restaurant – Asian Buffet – unfortunately travellers are a buffets worst enemy and we cleared it. While debating whether the building over the road was a prison or not we found fellow Brits and decided to go for one drink , not the easiest task in Melon, 20 minutes later and a high pitched French guy at a shop, we arrived at ‘Le Bar’. Potentially a bar of local gangsters that stared at us the whole time, deciding against another drink there we headed back to the shop to buy some wine for the campsite. Finding some Dutch teenagers at the campsite the wine was indulged upon, after they discovered our age, and told us we were quite close to death! From now on were claiming to be 23, its better for us and for parents, it makes them younger too! Being moved on from the site (possibly a pattern immerging) we took up residence near some road works equipment and continued our inter-country mingling, joined by a man who had sat in his car watching us since we arrived. During the inter-country mingling, the term ‘johnny pocket’ was explained to all, mostly Alex, and her amazement at the use for the tiny mystery pocket was obvious.
Wednesday 20th July
Super touristing day got off to a late start- but once coffeed and coissanted we trained into Paris, halfway realising we didn’t have any of the brochures’ for the tour starting points. Instead we went to the catacombs which not everyone thought were as amazing as we did, one girl spending the whole walk through with her head to the ground distressed at the death all around her.
Despite being optimistic about climbing the 1600 steps or so to the top of the Eiffel tower it was decided against it once we saw how big it really was. Lots of military police everywhere but here at the tower they had decided to deploy boy soldiers who, despite having guns, had he fear factor of -10.
Arriving at the Arc De Triomphe at 5.51pm meant we got to see the lighting of the Eternal Flame ceremony. Old soldiers everywhere with flags galore and a couple of younger soldiers not taking part just taking photos – we questioned whether they had just hired the uniform to get a good picture spot. Alex went to the Louvre and against the odds had a one on one moment with the Mona Lisa.
It was time to head home to but not before a toilet crisis at Gare De Lyon where Alex got locked in a cubicle and caused a commotion. As usual the rain had started so it meant only one thing: bathroom party. When we eventually returned to our damp, wet, smelly tent doubts about Vango started to creep in and discussions had about whether to upgrade to a larger tent.
Thursday 21st July
True day of achievement, found the short route to the station and caught the direct 25 minute train to Paris! Trying to debunk the tours, we made our own way to Versailles, only to find a hitch in the metro line and had to catch buses, finally arriving we found ourselves very at home in the grand palace. So grand and opulent, the Hall of Mirrors fantastic, Mary-Antionettes apartments spectacular.
Of course nothing can go too smoothly, after being divided by Asian tourtists, we remained lost for 30 minutes, both at separate exits, waiting for the other. Lunch was the best sandwich had in France so far (not counting Hannake’s), the back to the city to see Notre Dame. 3 older Americans utilised our touristing skills, which for them included a guide through the station to the taxi rank, these are the people that should be on an organised tour, but points to them for trying. The Jury is still out on what we think of Notre Dame, definitely spectacular, just not sure if its nice or not, but that was soon to be overshadowed by the following sights all in quick succession. A man playing the nuts, a seemingly homeless pair with a gerbil eating sushi and a man crossing the road balancing a ball on his head. A swift beer in the Latin quarter and then back to the smelly tent, disappointing Alex immensely, spending the day at such a big palace where people roamed in grand clothes, and we were crammed into the tiny tent in clothes that should have been washed some time ago.
Friday 22nd
Rest and preparation for travel day turns out to be quite a strenuous one, washing, drying, fixing Vango (the tent) after a pole break was noticed, as he only has two main poles, this is important to fix. The Balex committee meeting was held and it was decided that we do need a bigger tent, not to be defeated by the tininess of Vango200 but to allow for the continuance of the shite European weather, it has forced our hand, not allowing the packs to be kept in the porch. Vango will be kept and used as a dressing room/pack room when we upsize. Whilst enjoying our pizza dinner (once again delivered by a small boy on a bike) we were rudely interrupted by kids club antics, until Alex pulled out her best teacher voice and some hand gestures the blind would have understood.
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