Foodie walk, Jumping in the Jardin and Waterlilies

Our body clocks are getting close to local time, and it was drizzling a little so it was a morning to enjoy a sleep in. J and A did the bakery run for breakfast all by themselves for the first time, and ordered our pastry treats in French too.

We had read about a nearby market street, so we took off for a foodie wander. The presentation of the fish, fruit and veg, cheese and even antipasti and pasta was mouthwatering.

I then bribed the kids towards Musee d'Orangerie where a collection of Monet's Waterlilies is housed, with the promise of a bounce on the trampolines in the Jardin Tuilleries. We walked through the grounds of the Louvre and then left the crazy crowds and souvenir hawkers behind when we entered the gardens. Even Baz had a win, with a giant beer to keep his energy up for the museum, and Jack found a new way to use our Paris map when the breeze was chilly.

Musee d'Orangerie had no queue and was easy to wander around as it is a small gallery. Getting up close to 6 large Monet canvases was amazing, and I think (hope) Jack got the gist of what I meant when I tried to explain the impressionist style and how Monet would paint the same subject in different seasons/light. We also saw Picasso and Renoir works, though the naked figures had Amy wondering out aloud why??

The Arc D'Triomphe was visible after we left the gallery, but the chance of getting the kids to walk all the way to see it up close was slim so we jumped in a tuktuk and drove in style. Our driver was an Englishman who has lived in Paris for 25 years, and now retired he drives tourists around Paris for fun! 

He kept up a running commentary all the way along the Champs Élysées and we stopped for a photo in front of the Arc, before hopping on the metro towards home again. We stopped near our station for a quick snack and while walking home later we were amazed to find 2 more space invaders close by.

A lazy late afternoon spent reading on our roof terrace in the sunshine and dinner at home rounded the day out. I am finding we get through less 'tourist sights' with the kids in tow, but we do enjoy things from a different perspective and at a more relaxed pace. Bon Soir!

 

Space Invaders and Tour Eiffel

Thanks to some intel from Kirsti we have been on the lookout for space invaders in Paris by street artist Invader. He installs tiled space invader symbols in cities all over the world including Perth (keep your eyes peeled in Leederville). I have been actively looking out for them without any luck, then walking home from dinner I discovered one about 50m from our front door!

Now for today's adventures. The weather was our best yet, here's the morning view from our garden on the roof.

We had a nice slow start with a sleep in and lazy breakfast. It's been great having a kitchen so we can eat when we are ready. Jack hasn't quite got his Mojo on to do the boulangerie run by himself yet so I still need to get dressed and head down before brekky for fresh supplies. He's told me tomorrow is the day he'll have a go, good on him- we are on the sixth floor so there are a few stairs and security door to negotiate.

We stocked up locally on picnic goodies including (again!) baguettes, ham, roasted chicken, fresh fruit and cheese and set off on the Metro to find a spot near the Trocadero as we were told it was a great view for the Tour Eiffel. We had a slight muck up where I sent us off in the wrong direction, but we hopped off at the next stop and Jack took charge and got us sorted out and on our way. Phew!

We found a lovely grassed area and spread our lunch out to graze and enjoy the view.

The kids couldn't resist a ride on the carousel and we then headed to the river front for a while to people watch.

As we crossed the bridge about 20 African guys we had seen selling Eiffel Tower trinkets sprinted away from the tower and dispersed in all directions. Quite dramatic and we assumed the police had arrived and they weren't licensed to be there!

Along the river there were tourists of all shapes and sizes, lots to watch and keep us entertained while Baz and I enjoyed a cold beer and the kids a glacé.

We walked up to admire the tower from below (but didn't climb it) before calling it a day and traveling home.

Afternoon tea? Why yes! Foie Gras and toasted baguette? Naturally. I'm typing this up enjoying a glass of bubbles and delicious foie gras. Amy loved it and Jack had 3 pieces. Life doesn't get much better. 

The Happiest Place In The World!

Today saw us off to Disneyland just outside Paris. The kids had a fantastic day and have given it top marks for holiday fun so far.

We started our adventure on the train. Once we bypassed a scammer begging us to buy some 21€ train passes from him he claimed to have paid 43€ for, it was fairly simple and we arrived at the park gates some 40 minutes after.

The suburbs and then the park was shrouded in a cool fog, which made the whole scene a little surreal as all the disney glitter and glam was subdued. It cleared up after an hour or so, and we got some nice photo's later in the day of the character parade and the castle.

We all enjoyed boat rides through 'Small World', Pirates of the Caribbean and a paddle steamer through the 'wild west'. The kids had a bit of fun trying on some dreadies mon....

A stop for lunch, and we had an odd experience with the young couple sharing our table. I ducked off to get some serviettes and returned to find her weeping noisily, and though the conversation was all in French it would appear she had been dumped at a cafe table in Disney. Perhaps not the happiest place in the world today?! Amy asked us if she might have been sad because she couldn't get on the ride she wanted, but after much angry sobbing and back and forth (in French) and a few chips tossed around it was clear it was boyfriend woes. Baz reassured Amy that any bloke who would break up with his girlfriend at Disney over a burger was doing her a favour and we wandered on our way.

The next ride was Autotopia where the kids each drove us around the track! They were both so proud of themselves, it was a real buzz to see.

On my request we headed for the Star Wars ride, the premise being boarding a shuttle ride through the galaxy. While lining up we saw C3PO and R2D2 along with a droid workshop, and then rode a flight simulator. My favorite for the day, and actually one of theirs too- "Que la force soit avec vous"

The adjacent park Walt Disney World was next up, and as the day had gotten clear and quite warm by then we all decided a rest in the shade would be best rather than join any long queues for rides. Neither kids were all that keen on roller coasters thank goodness- Some of the queues were up to 90 minutes by then.

Here's Amy/Minnie waiting for a fairy floss to top up her reserves ha ha.

The Lightening McQueen themed car stunt show and a spot of souvenir hunting finished us off so it was back on the train and home around 7pm. The sunsets here are late so it's not getting dark until well after 8- mind you they are probably civilized and enjoy summer daylight savings.

All in all a fun day, and it was really worth going to enjoy the bright shiny smiles on the kids faces. For them it really was the happiest place after all!

Tomorrow we have no plans, other than a sleep in and stop at the Boulangerie before brekky.... Bon Soir

A very full day!

Baz and I are flopped on the couch after a full day! We had an early night last night, but equally early wake up at just after 4am... Ugh.

I started out with what I'd planned as a short run this morning, but was so busy stopping to take photo's and trying to run as far as the Eiffel Tower I ended up doing over 8km and getting home very late with the fresh bread for our breakfast... Oops

Next we all wandered off looking for Galerie Lafayette as the kids were desperate to spend some Euro's kindly given to them by family. What an amazing department store. Given it was only 10am I resisted the Champagne Bar but the kids got some loot and Baz and I have some more cheese to try. The ceiling was the highlight thanks for the tip Grandma.

Home to drop off our goodies and regroup then off again, passing over the Pont de Archeveche where we added a lovelock of our own.

We continued on a long walk past Musee D'Orsay down to Pont Alexandre III. The gold statues and amazing detail in the decorations are incredible. They must have a team of people who are on regular polishing duty.

We then walked back to opposite the Louvre to a bistro for a late lunch, and shared a plate of snails as an entree- Jack looks like he's being marched to the gallows (he did eat it though and said it was nice) but Amy ate as many as Baz and I.

Back over the Pont Neuf and home again... Checked off a number of landmarks for sure.

I discovered first hand these things today;

1. It was well worth clarifying we are Aussies not American at lunch, our waiter had a compete personality change after we pointed that out and was delightful thereafter.

2. I found the Rose I love from Bistro Gillaume in Perth at the shops for €10, about 20% of the Perth price!

3. Our local Boulangerie is so popular there is a queue out the door by 11 am... Lucky it opens at 7am and we live upstairs.

4. Climbing the stairs 6 floors to our apartment is a bit like Jacob's ladder, hopefully will offset the cheese and baguette somewhat.

5. All my high school French has vanished. The kids have more words than I do!

We've arrived

That trip took a loooong time... But full credit to J and A they were very good on all three flights, and a weird few hours in Singapore where we lobbed at a beach bar in pouring rain, and they had no beer! Bryan was NOT happy Jan.

We are settled into our apartment, and it's just as we expected and it looked in the photos.

We went out to explore and enjoyed a lunch together, before finding a playground where the kids burnt off some steam, and it's just a few hundred metres from our new home.

Jack has made friends with Victor the fruiterer on the nearest corner and tried a few new things. I of course found the fromagier, boulangerie and a very nice bloke who sells fois gras. The fois gras is chilling down now ready to try tomorrow and we are just enjoying a nibble of cheese and baguette. Total tourists!

Jet lag is kicking in somewhat but we are resisting a sleep this afternoon and hoping a good nights sleep will have us ready for a day out tomorrow.

Au revoir!

Our journey begins

Finally the day has come! I've bored everyone silly with our plans and we can now put them into action.

Thanks to Susie for an early morning pickup, and we are now at the airport waiting to board.

The kids are starting their screen binge already....

Au revoir!

GodDog

I found some great pics from an Avignon street artist GodDog, including this one. The cool stuff in France clearly isn't all centuries old- I also found some interesting street art walking tours in Paris, but not sure J and A will be up to a 3 hour walk. We may just have to explore by ourselves.... What a tough gig. Oh yeah, now it's 5 sleeps. Toe curling excitement!

This time next week

This time next week, we will be on the plane to Singapore! I know for Jack and Amy one of the things they are most looking forward to is a visit to Disneyland near Paris. We'll make sure they are the guest writers after that day on this blog so that you get their impressions of the magical kingdom.

Markets, fresh food, truffles!

Here's a picture of the market pace in Beaunes, I am really looking forward to exploring local markets as we go along though I don't plan to do much cooking on our holiday.

We'll be staying near here for a few days in an old Mill thats been converted for accommodation, and even has an indoor pool. The kids will welcome a bit of open space by then- I've packed the footy we can teach the local kids some Aussie rules!

Into single digits!

9 Sleeps to go. It's nearly time to get on that plane and head to the epicenter of pastry delights.

We are so fortunate to be planning this trip, and I have never had 5 weeks holiday at all. Looking forward to a different pace of life and some time with my family. And did I mention pain au chocolat?

When in Rome.....

We are staying our last four nights 'on the continent' in Rome. Our apartment is in a medieval stone building, adorned by a graffiti Christ. We plan to eat pizza and gelato for the whole time, when in Rome of course do as the Romans do!

15 Sleeps to go...

We are drawing closer to getting on that plane, so I've been tidying up at home. We have friends staying here who won't want to live in our junk!

Thanks to Aunty Margaret we have been in touch with a cousin of Dad's who lives in Samoens up in the French Alps. It's looks lovely, so we plan to stop there and visit with them, and use Samoens as our base for a day at Chamonix.

Bastille Celebration Art by Jack!

Jack presented this to me this morning, a Bastille Day celebration drawing they did in class a few weeks back.

Maybe we'll catch some fireworks over the tower ourselves?

I could browse Pinterest photo's all day

20 sleeps now... Tres excitement!

I've been browsing Pinterest and enjoying inspiring travel photo's. I plan to take just a few myself but they won't be this calibre I am sure.

Must get back to work lots to finish before we jump on that jet....

The Countdown...

I have been boring the kids silly with France facts, and after starting my countdown at 100 sleeps we are in the home stretch.

Only 21 sleeps now and a lot of work to finalize, tidy up to do at home, final tickets and itinerary to print and pack the bags!

Vegemite is on the shopping list so Jack won't starve and I've cleaned out my camera bag ready to go. A good start?