A quiet last day in Paris

With Graeme off running around Disneyland and Disney Studios, the Sheards and I have had a lovely peaceful museum-free day walking in Paris. We did "Hip Paris" from Les Halles to the Marais, and some of "Undiscovered Paris" near Gare du Lyon. Everywhere are wonderful buildings and small parks to relax in. At lunchtime we found ourselves in Rue des Rosiers, heart of the Jewish district, where we had a great falafel in pita bread - apart from the falafel, hummus, tahini they added red cabbage and eggplant; it was so yummy.

Judy got us around in the best way on the metro, and also provided the commentary from her Michelin guide. The Metro is fantastic - it looks to us as though the average time between trains on all lines is around 3 minutes. What a pity it can't be like that in Melbourne.

We are about to go out for our usual 3 course fixed price dinner - also delicious food with lots of choices. After dinner we'll hop on the metro to visit the 59 story Mont Parnasse tower, for a final night-time view of Paris. Home tomorrow!!

Paris and the World Cup

The penalty shoot out is about to start and the streets are full of excited French people and the odd Italian group. There is lots of noise and people are painted and dressed in French flags/colours. All very exciting. The street near us with lots of little restaurants has crowds outside each restaurant with a large screen TV. Paris is awash with World cup fever. In spite of this Graeme has gone on a night bus tour - the rest of us will go tomorrow night while G is at Disneyland - when it's safer and there are no street blockages.

If France win the soccer the Sheards and I will hop on a train to the Champs Elysees to share the excitement; if they lose I think I should get rid of the Italian flag that happens to be on our balcony!

A few TMB photos

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A few funny stories

At Auberge de la Nova on day 2 we had someone with a strong French accent telling us what was available for dessert. We thought she said “dry cheese” or “lychees with cream”. 3 of us ordered lychees which turned out to be “white cheese with cream”.

In Courmayeur we went to the same restaurant both nights as the fixed price menu was excellent. There were about 6 choices for dessert and Jenny bravely tried the “beer and chocolate cake” on the second night. When it arrived it had no beer but a lot of pears in it! Again a problem with accents!

On the Amalfi coast John wanted Judy, Sue and me to sit on a rock for a photo. I said – OK we’ll be like 3 shags on a rock (for those who don’t know a shag is a type of sea bird). Then came Judy’s classic comment “I feel like a shag on a rock”.

While sitting in deck chairs admiring Mont Blanc at Refugio Bonatti, an English couple arrived and the woman said how glad she was to finally be there (she was wearing elastic bandages on both knees and was obviously in pain). Mean Graeme quickly told here that the refuge was full and she would have to walk on another 20k to the next refuge! They actually had a booking and we became good friends; her husband has Graeme’s same wicked sense of humour. We became even better friends when I gave her all my Voltarin tablets and her knee pain was cured overnight. The tablets lasted her to the end of TMB.

On day 2 I had just had a shower and washed my knickers, socks and T shirt (the daily routine). We were carrying the minimum of spare clothes (one spare pair of knickers and socks) so imagine my horror when I could not find my spare knickers in my pack, and the other pair were now wet. Then I remembered that to save space I had packed them in my spare shoes!

Courmayeur to Rifugio Bonatti - can it possibly get any better??

The day out of Courmayeur was an up 1500m, down 900m day which sounds horrific but was out of this world. The day dawned clear as a bell and Graeme decided to opt out and revisit the Aiguille du Midi again (see his post). Judy went with him as she had missed out on the rest day and the remaining 4 did the TMB high route. It was magnficent - once we ascended to the ridge the hard work was mainly over and the views in all directions were stupendous. Mont Blanc was visible all the time as well as countless other peaks and aiguilles (needles ie. pointy jagged peaks usually without snow). I have never felt so exhilarated in my life. We arrived at Rifugio Bonatti at the same time as Judy and Graeme who had come the short way down the valley after their great cable car trip. So everyone was happy. We all sat out in deck chairs on the terrace in front of Mont Blanc and the Grand Jorasses and relaxed and soaked up the view. The refuge was great - we had private rooms, and dinner was 4 courses of delicious food. To anyone doing the TMB I would recommend staying in at least a couple of refuges to complete the experience. It's now 2 days later and we have crossed the Grand Col Ferret (pronounced ferray) to return to Switzerland. Unfortunately photos will have to wait until Paris - they may help to capture some of the amazing scenery.