Gerards version of Epernay through to South of France

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While in Epernay we visited the Champagne house of Moet & Chandon,
interesting walk through their caves and a brief history of where they came
from. One interesting thing that happened was the fire alarm in the Hotel we
were staying was set off by burning toast at 7am in the morning, which meant
that we had to evacuate the building. The person that was in the shower at
the time was not very happy going down the stairs with shampoo in their hair
and only wearing a bathrobe.

We travelled by train back into Paris and then out to Euro-Disney. Upon
arriving at our accommodation we were subject to a luggage scan (like at
airports) as was everyone else and the same each day as we headed into and
out of the Disney park. For this and the sight of armed soldiers walking
around was interesting. We all (especially the girls) enjoyed the
attractions and some we enjoyed more than once. To be honest some were a bit
scary and having your eyes closed really helps. The time was enjoyable but
we all agreed that it did not feel like you were in France. Maybe it was the
Americian type atmosphere or that most people were English speaking it would
seem. We missed our coffee on the street corner and the roar of cars and
motorbikes going about their daily business. This was replaced by pushchairs
and people and large basic type food. Thankfully it was not peak season
otherwise it would have been unpleasant.

We survived Euro-disney and headed with sore feet off to Strasbourg. The TGV
ride was efficient and on time, this we appreciate with your train system.
Although Euro-disney was a bit on the cold side that can not be said of
Strasbourg. We changed into our shorts on arrival and explored the old and new
city, also the Unesco Heritage site. The girls did some more shopping, we
enjoyed the local cuisine and even did a bus trip into Germany for the
afternoon. Strasbourg also had a concentration camp near by, but our efforts to
view this were not successful.

We have now travelled to Zurich, again our weather is hot and our
accommodation is very close to the city. Jenny does a good job, where would
we be without her. Food here is different to the French style we are used to
(Sophia is still on the look-out for creperies) but we explore and dive into
the local food. On the first afternoon we lunch overlooking the lake/river.
The water is crystal clear but very cold, its quite amazing that its so
clear. Not a lot of tourist attractions but thats ok we are off shopping
again, and that is expensive. Having arrived on Saturday, Sunday is all
closed for shopping so just window shopping but still enjoyable we get to
explore both the old and new areas of town. After three days we are off again by
train. Travelling by train is a great way to see the country and efficient
but I do detest the lack of luggace space and having to ensure you get your
bags in first before the other travellers arrive was key and making sure no
one took your bag off by mistake when they left the train (note kiwi or
aussie traveller yelling out is this our bag when leaving the train, he had
no idea, but I know it was not ours).

Lyon, hot and busy and our location is excellant, even Sophia is pleased
with a local crepe food outlet. Sophia has also taking a liking to a local
small fluffy dog that a shop owner has, now she wants one when we get home.
We make sure we take in the local tourist attractions, a river cruise and a
visit to a museum that focused on the German concentration camps of WW11, we
all found this interesting, even the girls took it in. What they all went
through was inhumane. Again the weather was (as the local taxi driver told
us) unseasonally hot. We were concerned that we would be in for a hot and
difficult time down south if this was what it was like futher north. Again
we packed our bags and head off to London using the TGV through Paris. We
had to change train stations at Paris but no drama, and I made sure the
luggage was stacked away on the London leg.

London was to be all go with no rest we told the girls and they were not
dissappointed. Apart from a couple of days with sleep ins, we took the town
by storm. Rhonda (Jennys sister) had her school's mid term break, so she was
able to guide us through the subway system and we were joined by Alison (a
close friend of Jennys). We were lucky enough to enjoy a day at the Chelsea
flower show, shame about all the other people that had the same idea, but a
worth while experience. We did the traditional sights that I had not seen
last time like Big Ben, Westminister, No 10 Downing St, Buckingham Place,
Greenwich, the Olympic village and of course Oxford St (shopping). I must say
I walked up and down this street so much that I now know it extreamly well.
Rhonda looked after us, especially the cooking which we all enjoyed along
with the odd wine or two. Its been a week and we are looking forward to
heading back to France and to rest for a few days. The pace has been full on
(as we knew it would be). Ryan air will take to Carcassonne, apart from
having to re-pack our bags to come within the weight allowance for each bag,
we checked in with ease. Ryan air is a first up best dressed when it comes
to seat allocation on the plane, so a mad scramble. We all got a seat but
not all together. We were lucky to be able to leave our excess items with
Rhonda, and will collect on our way through at the end of July, but not
before having to buy another bag (or 2).

There are 5 of us with Alison and luggage and we are now waiting to see what
car Jenny has booked for us. I wanted maybe an Audi A7 or any other fast
car, but no we are on a budget so the little Ford Fiesta will do us fine. We
have 2 hours drive to our house, it would have taken less if they had not
put a deviation in the road that landed us who knows where. But that all
sorted we arrived and are happy. Driving around is getting better, but its
hard when you are not familiar with the local towns. Alision stayed a week
and enjoyed it. She is now on a canal boat by Reims. We have taken in the
beaches, some tourist attractions and having time to relax with the girls
sleeping into 10-11am. We are here for 2.5 more weeks and may look to travel
to Spain at some stage.

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