15 May 2015 - The journey to Paris!

Our preparations paid off and we were able to leave pretty much on schedule for our drive to Paris via the quickest non-tollway roads (according to our trusty Tom Tom).

Kids saying adieu

We farewelled our beautiful gite in Vidiex and our hosts, the lovely Tether family.  It was a cool morning and a bit drizzly so it didn't feel too bad leaving.  Luke will certainly miss his playmates who have been more or less on tap for the last three weeks.

Farewell Les Trois Chenes!

Luke is officially a "tick magnet" as Annika discovered another cheeky creature just starting to burrow into Luke's scalp.  One of the hazards of country living!  Hopefully, we won't discover any more beasties on him or any of us!

We drove through towns with names like Blois, Orleans and Etampe, past wind farms and derelict districts, over rivers such as the Loire and past the occasional chateau.  Karl drove well and we had a few breaks for leg stretching and sanity.  

There was literally farm land and green countryside all the way except in the towns, until half an hour before Paris and before we knew it, there we were in Rue Felix Faure, outside our apartment!

Our apartment

Looking up our street

Karl and Annika drove the car back to the Peugot drop off spot not too far from here whilst the rest of us waited outside the apartment for our host.  We did manage to sneak into the antechamber prior to the foyer when someone went inside so we had shelter, but waited for long enough after the scheduled rendezvous to wonder if there were any open windows we cold climb in this time!  Finally, our host arrived and we were let in.

Goodbye car!

Waiting for our host!

It is a cute little apartment, with quite a few of the hosts personal items about which we are not too sure what to do with!  After all our lovely space in Vidiex, it feels small but as I cautioned other family members, big city living is expensive and even little spaces cost a lot.  We have a small supermarket over the road and the metro around the cornet AND the Eiffel Tower within walking distance.

Annika, in particular was VERY pleased to see the Eiffel Tower

After dinner, cooked with some degree of frustration in a little kitchen with induction hotplates that were unfamiliar to us, we headed off for a walk to the Eiffel Tower!  And there it was in its evening splendour towering over the crowds and spruikers.  Even though I have seen it before, it is still a striking structure!  The walk through the little streets passing typical Parisian apartments with their window boxes of geraniums reminded me of why I love Paris and why I want geraniums on my front verandah when other plants are more "fashionable"!

Paris - city of love!

Crrrazyyyy Tim!

Perfect props!

Excellent and stylish hand stand by Annika

Too many photos!

Just starting to master hand stands!

It was very late by the time we were back as the sun sets so late and we wanted to make good use of the daylight.  We are in Paris after all!