Holiday snaps and stories

So, we left for france on Monday 25th June. The ferry was choppy. Span felt rough. I actually enjoyed it. I think the weather was concerning us a little even then.

We finally arrived in Fresnay-sur-Sarthe at about 4.30. It was wet and windy. Span, heroically put the tent up. I was getting tetchy about our severe lack of food, and the apparent lack of ANY restaurants in the town, so I did my first driving on the right. Its amazing how situations make you get over your "fear"!! It was fine.

Span's parents arrived the next day and weather hadn't really improved. In fact it didn't really improve that much more. We went to Le Mans for the day and had lunch at the race track and it was pretty nice there, but I can't say I was that impressed!

We then moved on to Royan on the Thursday. We kept driving further and further south and the weather still didn't really improve. We went through band after band of severe rain. We did however go on the quietest motorway I have ever seen. I think in 100kms we passed about 40 vehicles. Crazy, but fabulous.

As we came of the A10 to go into Royan the weather suddenly improved. I was SOOOO happy. We got there around 4, got the tent up slowly and had a great evening meal at the campsite restaurant.

Apart from that, we had one day of very very good weather. Every other day there was wind, rain or just ominous cloud. And needless to say the temperatures weren't that high (for camping) either.

We did have a lovely time. I love Royan so much. Its relaxed, cheap, by the sea, with semi-decent shops and a great market. I hope we can go back soon.

We managed a few good trips out. We went to a local zoo called La Palmyre, went to Rochefort (not of the cheese) which was interesting. Rochefort did not get bombed during the war, however Royan was (by the allies, to get rid of lingering germans) So you can really see the contrast in the buildings. As much as I love it, some of Royans buildings are 50s ugly!

We also went to a garden museum place, and spent one, blissful, day on the beach.

Os and jas spent some lovely times with their grandparents and we got some time to rest too.

By the Tuesday, we went off to an internet cafe where we confirmed that the weather was going to be rubbish, so we decided to cut our losses and go home early. We did the whole Royan to London stint in a day (13hrs, of which 11 was driving) It was worth it, as although we had to fork out for a Eurotunnel ticket (the seas were still rough) we didn't have to pay for a hotel.

I'll post about London another time, but all I can say is. ROLL ON NEXT SUMMER! :)

Oz in Fresnay

Jas at Le Mans

Our view in Fresnay

Jas in Royan, first day.

Oz's breakfast... Pain au Chocolat... yummy!
Oz at the Zoo A rare nice pic of Jas and me Jas and the goats. You can climb into their enclosure and pet them

Oz and the goats

Jas

Oz eating his tea

Jas asleepOz in this great Maze we found in Rochefort

These were supposed to be beautiful, sandy, sunny beaches....

Back from hols... early!

We got back home on tuesday, but spent some time in London to "commiserate" a little!

Holiday was good, but the weather was just so inclement. Not cold, not totally wet, just not particularly suitable for fair weather camping.

I have pictures, but I can't be bothered to resize and upload tonight. It won't be long soon.

We went to Royan, http://www.royan.fr/FRAccueil.asp for our main hols. Beautiful place. I want to go back.. for a 6th time!

We had a great time in London. I took jas to see a bit of the Tour de France in London, which was a perk of being home early. It was soooo busy. Jas slept in the sling and I saw flashes, which I assume were cyclists, before I gave up and went to meet the boys at the natural history museum. We also met up with C and C. Great fun was had. Oz had such a good time he fell asleep on the Tube (no mean feat since it is is favourite thing ever. He napped until dinner. Cried while we encouraged him to eat his sausage and mash (his fave), I gave up and took him to bed, and he slept from 6 until 8am the next morning. The boy was TIRED!! he also napped on the way back to Manchester the next day! Lazy whatnot!

Oz is a handful, a real handful. I love him so much, but it is so hard right now. I think I'll save the rubbish toddler moment post for another time though!

Jas is wonderful. Babbling and pretty good on her pins, with help. In to everything though, which is bringing back strong memories!

So, photos tomorrow if I have time :)

Not much to report.. but

... thought i should check in!

Had a brief attempt at potty training yesterday after yet another of Oscar's friends are potty training with success. He is only 2 years 1 month. Oscar is 2 years 9 months and 5 pairs of trousers later, I have truly had enough.

Nappies for another month.

Jas stood on her own today. Amazing, considering she only really started cruising in the last couple of weeks. The girl is in a hurry.

We did circus skills at Brownies last week which was superb. A great way to exercise and I realised that I am pretty close to juggling properly. Fab. I am alsmost tempted to get some juggling balls and practise more.

Right, must go to watch Trawlermen on BBC1. I love that programme. The pictures are beautiful. Will hopefully catch up later on.

Happy Happy Happy Tea

OH MY GOODNESS!

I am a little drunk and so therefore highly overexcited about this... but I have FINALLY found the link to a little animation I remember seeing AGES ago.

http://www.sundaybest.net/site/av/# and click on the link called "Max Sedgely - Happy"

It is such a cute video. I love tea!

Metroland!

Parisian Metro is wonderful and horrible all at the same time. It never ceases to amaze me how close some of the stations are. It is seriously quicket to walk sometimes.

I took some shots of the line somewhere near Montparnasse. I think it shows how close it really is.

So, those photos show 4 different stations all extremely close. Its all like that!

This was a train leaving a station, just to show what they look like! Nerd, moi??

Its not a great photo as I had to shrink it for here, but when you zoom on the original you can almost see the driver! Oz would have loved it!!

Sadly the Metro is full of beggars, bad smells and bad people, which does ruin the experience somewhat. You have to watch your bags like a hawk and avert your eyes from the numerous people after your money. However, it is extremely efficient (trains every 1-3 mins all day) and very quick and cheap. You get 10 journeys for just over 10 euros. I just wish it didn't smell so bad!!

I think I prefer the tube in London, but only because it is cleaner, and brighter. You can't beat the Metro for efficiency.

Roll on our next visit!

Paris Fun - Sunday - Montparnasse

After the excesses of the previous day, we decided to take it a bit easier today. I had told the others that I wanted to visit the Tour Montparnasse. Its a relatively ugly tour block, on the south bank (Left bank... I think) which is 212ish metres up, and houses several offices, no doubt.
We got there eventually, after a problem with Metro tickets. Basically, to go on the metro, you need one ticket for one journey. Its simple, cheap and works. No worries about zoning with central Paris at least. Well, we got to Denfert Rochereau station and changed, but then we had to use another ticket. I was NOT amused. My sister said you could see the steam rising! Typical money grabbing Parisian attitude....

Anyway, we used a (wasted) ticket, and made our way to Montparnasse-Bienvenue, and looked for signs. The place was pretty much deserted and my heart began to sink. It was Sunday, after all. We saw the steps up to the entrance and still no one, tried the door and praise be, it opened. We bought our tickets and went up to the 56th floor, in 38 secs apparently!

The view up there is amazing. It's not got the glamour of the Eiffel Tower, but it was aquiet, sedate and extremely pleasant place. I would recommmend it to anyone. It cost us 9.50 Euros. A LOT cheaper than the Eiffel Tower would have been. AND you get views like these...

Jardin de Luxembourg. One of my favourite places ever, and one we visited in February with the children.
A General view, NW I think.
Sacre Coeur, beautiful, but very busy apparently. Laura and Debbie went there, and were possible there when this photo was taken!!
There are other photos but they wouldn't upload. Sigh.

And this is what it looks like from the bottom. Bec said looking up made her feel ill! I was fine though!

We then headed back to very gorgeous shop just down the canal from my parent's flat. Antoine et Lili. I bought a very cute outfit for Jasmine and some very funky overalls for painting and eating. The day before I bought some plates for the children too!

In the evening, we went to "le Chartier" A great resto, where the service is seriously quick, and the food cheap and very very cheerful. The waiters work so hard and fast, and write the recipes on the table cloths. Our total bill was ridiculously cheap and so so good.

Bec and I then headed out for a quick vino or two at a Bar near the flat and then we retired for another early start home (for some) on Monday.

One more post to go. Metro fun.

Paris Fun - Part 1 - Saturday - Parisian Heaven

I'm just back from a great trip to Paris.

My sister and I had been saying for ages that we should go and take advantage of our parents' flat. So, finally, we did.

My friend Laura and her friend had been saying the same, about going away, so they tagged along too.

We all had really early starts for the first day (last Friday) All of us had to get up before 5... ouch. I flew from Manchester. Laura and Debbie from Coventry, and Bec took the coach from London.

We basically ate, drank, and walked and I did a spot of shopping.

We ate out each evening (3 times) with varying success. And then during the day we just did what each of us fancied.

Saturday was my favourite day. On the Saturday I walked a lot.

We started off going to Galleries Lafayette, but it was hot, busy and too expensive. It does, however have the best perfum/cosmetic section. This is the roof.

My sister wasn't really in the same mood as me, so we split up. I had in my head what I wanted for lunch, which was a baguette with some packet ham in the middle. Cheap but lovely. It took me a fair time to find a supermarket as I was wandering along the road with Cartier, Tiffany, etc. Finally found a Monoprix and I bought my lunch and wandered to the Tuileries, near the Louvre and sat under a tree and read. Seriously blissful.
I then walked around the outside of the Louvre,
towards the river and just walked all the way along. It was a beautiful day, slightly too hot for the jeans and top I wore, but I seriously didn't care. Ahhhhh! I took loads of pictures, but won't bore you with all of them!
I made my way towards The town hall "Hotel de Ville" which was heaving. I aimed for there as I wanted to go shopping at BHV, a pretty good dept store. Sadly, none of the clothes even went over my arms. French women are seriously skinny, and I'm too fat!

I then took my second metro of the day and met with Bec and co, back at the flat. It was a great day. Just me, my feet and a guide book. I've never done it before, and would thoroughly recommend it to relax. Then it was time to get ready for dinner.

We went to eat at Chez Julien, a restaurant which is gorgeous. It is like a little Oasis of sublimity surrounded by a "not so nice area" Typically Parisian mixture of Beauty and Uglyness. Sounds complete ponsy writing that, but it's true! My meal choice was a bit of mistake, but hey, I didn't care. The restaurant was stunning. The first pic is of the ceiling directly above us, the other is the restaurant behind me.
I don't think my pics do it justice at this size, but it was so so good.

We wandered home via a bar across the street from my parent's flat, which was possibly a mistake as I had completely overeaten, but I survived!

More coming, possibly tomorrow as its getting late. I still have Sunday to do....