In Paris

We are in Paris

Catherine has been tucked in to the University of Hull. I must say the organizers at the University were superb and she has already made some friends, I think she will do just fine.

Train travel has been excellent. We did leave 20 minutes late from Hull but made up some time and our connection to the Paris train was  very simple, with time for a nice lunch in the station. The 2 hour 17 min trip was smooth and comfortable, different from the other trains was a lack of internet connection. My trusty ipad filled the gap, I have finished the Dick Cheney book filled with his versions of history and the importance of his influence. Kind of written like a Churchill memoir without the substance or writing ability. What is clear from the book was how much George Bush consulted and how much Cheney was a piece of work undermining and second guessing his Secretary of state, Colin Powell, Don Rumstead his  minister of defence , and Condi Rice a later Secretary of State.

More light reading with the Shania Twain story, having lived in the Timmins area for three years her description of the winters and the life brought make distant memories.

On our first night we used up unspent  energy as we walked to the monument. We then walked across the river , the Eiffel Tour was spectacular in the lights we also came upon a photographic display of world photographers, really well done and magical to see 2 Canadian trained photographers so prominent.

On our first full day there was more walking and touring. We easily made our way to the champs elysees, trekked toward the oblisk ant the concorde, throught the Tuileries Gardens and finally to the Louvre. The new entrance way is one that you love or hate, I did not like it, however once in the museum it did not disappoint. Of course it takes days to do it justice, we concentrated on an Egyptian, Greek, Italian theme and were impressed with the skill and detail depicted by 300-400 BC statues.

We made our way to the Centre Pompidou for lunch on the top of the building at the restaurant Georges. The building itself is an eyesore, worse is the so called security, lack of signage, lack of any plan re moving from place to place. The lunch was tasty, the service spotty, the view excellent.

Next stop was Notre Dame Cathedral, 850 years old and with an excellent audio tour. I am constantly amazed at the building expertise and longevity of these structures. We walked home from there and were enjoying a relaxing beer at the corner beside our hotel. Deborah was asking if I had any anxieties re the upcoming bike trip and spending so much time together. Right on cue Brian  Mcguire popped around the corner , he and Carol had just arrived! I never finished my answer to Deborah.

The Butlers arrived just before 9 and we all went out for an Asian fusion meal. The fare was quite decent, the waitress unable to keep proper balance because of a huge chip on her shoulder! We did not let her spoil the meal or the company and she certainly did not spoil us.

Today was more walking and touring. We bought our bike helments and then took the metro frome St. Madelaine Cathedral to the corner of Mountparnase and Raspil to lunch at one of Brians old favorites. Afetr lunch a leisurely walk to Musee D’Orsay, a psectacular reno of the old train station with a wonderful exhibit.

Dinner tonight with the whole crew as the Maclachlans have arrived, tomorrw we start the bike tour in the late afternoon. Blogging will be time and internet dependent.