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Day 16 - Monday 2
nd July to Day 20 – Friday 6
thJuly 2012
Our first actual week on the road has gone well. We arrived in Calais on Monday afternoon and quickly headed South to Boulogne-s-Mer. We can’t believe how easy it was to drive the Volvo to France. It only cost a total of £40.00 for the Volvo and the 5 of us. We then soon realised that Boulogne-s-Mer is to be the finish of the Tour de France Stage the next day.
We decided to head east toward the half way mark of the next stage for the Tour. We arrived in a small quiet town called Aire-s-la-Lys. Not much happening except the tour is coming though around lunchtime the next day. We found a small French Restaurant for dinner. It was about the only place open. We’re not sure where all the thousands of Tour de France followers are?
Well, Aire-s-la-Lys woke up with a kick the next morning. People, trucks and cars everywhere. The Tour De France was coming to town and so are the thousands of Tour followers. We were talking to some Brits who are following the race and they spoke about
how much money changes hands in order to have the race come through your town. Everything about the Tour de France is about money!!!
The town square had people and activities everywhere. The Tour De France caravan, consisting of around 30 sponsors and products being thrown everywhere came through first. This took up about one hour of the waiting. It will always amaze me what people will do for ‘Free Stuff’. I had to fight off 10 French kids for a pack of chips. It was such a contrast to the ‘sponsor free’ event of Henley Royal Regatta. My question to my rowing colleagues out there, “What would Henley be like if it became commercial, like the Tour De France?” Interesting concept?
We then headed to Serre Road Cemetery, in the Somme in Northern France and found the grave of Melissa’s great grandfather Herbert Edwards. Herbert was only 20 years old when he was shot during World War I. Melissa’s grandmother never knew her father. We then drove a short distance to Villers Bretonneux. It was great for the boys so see so much Australian history in one place. They will be able to associate a lot more
with ANZAC Day as a result of this quick, but very meaningful visit to this region of Northern France. I will also now look at ANZAC Day a little different too. It was a bit of a contrast in one day from the hype and excitement of the Tour de France and then the quiet and isolated memorials.
We had two action packed days in Paris. We saw all the usual sites and as Melissa as our tour guide, we knew exactly where we were at all time. For those who don’t know, Melissa lived in Paris for 2 years some time ago. I know we won’t be able to enjoy this luxury in other cities over the next 3½ months. The photos will best sum up these two days. The highlight, as expected, was walking up the Eiffel Tower to half way and then taking the lift to the top. Walking, saved us waiting for over 2 hours in the line to go to the top.
A change of plan now sees in Geneva, Switzerland. Make that 18 countries on the list now. We arrived on Friday night after driving the 350km and are staying with Lisa,
Daniel and their 3 wonderful children. William who is 7 is very excited to have 3 other boys in the house, instead of just his two sisters, Zoe and Alexia both 9. Lisa is another one of my London Rowing Club contacts. We are always very thankful to be able to stay with friends in different countries. Staying with a Swiss family really lets the boys experience different cultures. One thing is for sure, kids are kids all around the world whether playing with a ball or drawing, they will always connect.
Friday night we went to an Ethiopian restaurant. Who would have thought we would be eating Ethiopian in Switzerland? Today Lisa is taking all of us to the local markets to buy lunch from the markets for a picnic this afternoon. The catch is the kids all need to buy the local produce ‘in French’. This will be interesting!!! We will stay here for the weekend and have a look around before heading north. This is the luxury of ‘making it up as we go’ type travelling. Will do a quick Swiss update soon.
Until next time……..
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Julie
non-member comment
Lovely pics
Go team Free, all sounds amazing & bring back lovely thought for me in Paris & the trip from Calais. You would be proud I am sending this from my iPad. Love the Volvo!! Take care