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Published: March 23rd 2011
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The Eiffel Tower
After a long walk, we finally got here! 24th March 2011.
I will start by saying that I apologize for much maligning Dorothy. I now have complete faith in her as she navigated us both in and out of Paris, and right to the door of our last few destinations. God knows where in the world we would be without her! The gorgeous spring sunshine in Paris! You couldn't ask for better. When we arrived 2 days ago we walked the 7 kms to the Eiffel Tower from the camping ground and then along to the Arc de Triumphe and then back again before dark. It was a bit of a power walk! Yesterday we decided to bus into town and then we got the hop-on hop-off tourist bus to see the sights. We stopped at the Eiffel tower once again as well as the Arc, although this time we sat in the bus as it went around. I don't know how it works but it does, but it really looks like nobody should come out of there unscathed! We got off at the Louvre, which is closed on Tuesdays, Notre Dame, and Galleries Lafayette. Because the camping ground does not have wifi, a stop at Maccas was necessary
A Bridge over the Seine
One of many we crossed in our tour of Paris, both walking and by bus. to check emails and also find a location of a camping supply shop, which we did, about 2.5kms away. This was necessary as we have been unable to find the appropriate gas canisters for our cooker anywhere this side of the English Channel and we have been unable to cook for the last 2 days. No hardship there really as the camping ground sells warm, fresh, absolutely delicious croissants and bagettes at the shop every morning. They are
sooo good! Anyway, we have replaced our cooker with one that takes the gas canisters readily available in Europe. When we
were told when we picked up the van that you could get the ones stocked with the van 'everywhere' he must have meant in the UK. They will be hearing more from us about this matter! Now suitably stocked, but with Dean's knee starting to protest from
all the walking, we stayed in Town to watch the Eiffel Tower put on it's light show at 8pm and then made our way back to camp. Easier said than done in the dark: first you have to find the right stop to get on...only a slight detour there, then you have
to get off at the right stop and you can't see the landmarks that you saw in the daytime! Luckily we were rescued by a fellow passenger who must have seen us looking a bit concerned who said, "you want camping?" and let us know the right stop to get off. You do hear alot over here that France is fantastic but it's a shame the French live here! However, we have been treated with nothing but courteousness and they could not be more helpful. They even accept our dismal efforts at speaking French! I did however get one very loud' MADAM' from the man cleaning the ladies toilet block this morning as I left dirty marks on his clean wet floor with my jandals at 7am this morning. I had to go back and wipe my feet and he followed behind me cleaning up the mess! He was damn lucky I didn't pee on his floor cos I'd been holding on since 5! Today we have had a stressfree drive out of Paris and into the Loire Valley and have booked into a nice camp just outside Tours. Lots of free wifi although it dies drop off every now
and then so we might give the skype a go either tonight or in the morning our time. For now, we are Kicking back, enjoying some red wine and sunshine. Cheers!xxx
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Raewyn
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Paris
Wow what a trip and what a busy time you 2 are having. Please remember to take some 'down time' to recharge your batteries. The camp croussants sound so delicious it made me hungry to read about it. That was some walking you did on the first day and after checking Deano's photos it looked well worth it. Nothing much happening here. Bit cooler and blowing a gale today but sunshine. Had lots of lovely rain but think Whangarei got some flooding on Sunday/Monday especially with the extremely high tides that have been happening. I have a small wedding to do this evening just out of Tinopai. Should go well as she seems pretty laid back about everything. Actually she sounds as thick as a short boy scout but hopefully she comes right on the night!! Shelley I managed to get a keyboard for the laptop, only $20 with a mouse, from the Warehouse so she is all up and working. We have also eaten most of the good stuff you left here so maybe it is time to send a goodie basket from France lololol. Hope you are both taking care of yourselves and Dean is watching out for any colds and stuff that may be hanging around. Love you and miss you. Ma. xxx