Paris

1^st September

Following on from our disturbed night we were both tired when we woke in the morning but we were up promptly as we wanted to get to the campsite at the Bois de Boulogne early. The first Sunday in the month i.e. today gives free access to the Paris museums and we wished to take advantage of this.

We found the campsite easily and we were soon on the bus to Port Maillot. From here we walked to the Arc de Triomph and down the Champs d’Elysee, past the Concorde monument and through the Jardins de Tuillieres to the Louvre. Here Mike and I split up. Mike went into the Louvre (or queued up for 1 hour to get in) and I went to the Musee d’Orsay. We agreed to meet up at the Musee de Rodin at 3.45pm. Here we went round the house and enjoyed the sculptures that are in the adjacent garden.

Although we did a lot of walking that day it was a good day with the free entrances saving us around 50 euros.

Monday 2^nd Sept. Bois de Boulogne

Today was spent at the campsite.  I spent most of the day working but was rather annoyed to find the KLE was down which prevented me from completing my marking. In the afternoon we went for a cycle ride around the Longchamps race course and into the Bois de Boulogne where even in the daylight hookers were hanging around. In the evening we shared a bottle of wine with an Australian couple who had just arrived in France. They had hired a motorhome to tour France for 3 weeks and had no knowledge of motorhomes or France. We shared our experiences with them and identified some key places for them to visit.

Tuesday 3^rd September  Paris

Today in very hot weather we headed back into Paris. We took the Metro to Abbessess and walked up to the Sacra Cour.  It was a very clear day and we were able to get good views over Paris. We walked down through the Montremarte,past the Moulin Rouge and down to Pigalle. Here we got on the Metro again to get to the Jardins de Luxembourg to see the Palais/Senate building and the Medici fountain. We ate our lunch here in the lovely sunshine before heading on to the Notre Dame.



 It was a very hot afternoon and after visiting the cathedral we found a bar alongside the Seine where we had drinks. We then continued our walk to the Hotel de Ville and then along the shopping streets. I was still looking for something for Louise from our trip but still could not find anything suitable. Very hot and weary we returned back to the van.

Thursday 4^th September Versailles

After another bad night we were feeling rather jaded as we headed off for Versailles.  Our original intention had been to visit the palace but our heart was not in it so we just visited the gardens.  The temperatures were soaring in the 30s so we were pleased to park under some trees and have our lunch. We then joined the throng who had come to visit the Chateau. We only paid for 1.5 hours parking but this was enough for us to explore the formal parterres, the orangerie and to walk down to the large lake. 

Both wilting from the sun we headed back to Buster. We still had a long drive as we had tentatively agreed to meet Richard who was on his way back from Croatia in Reims.  We eventually arrived at 7.30pm and Rich arrived at 10pm having left Croatia that morning at 6am!  He was very grateful for food, a shower and a bed in the van.  It was so lovely to see him after 9 months absence even if it was only briefly.