Day 20 - Ely 28 Sept 2013

After a hearty breakfast we head out for our day in Ely.

Being Saturday there is a market in the town square, lots of food producers have brought in there produce and wares. Lots of wonderful things but not really suitcase friendly.

Next it is off to the cathedral and I have set my sites set on the tower climb, I buy my ticket and at 11:30 the tour starts, the only thing between me and the top is 283 steps. The tour starts off easy climbing the first 2 levels in small staircases, the last 2/3 off the distance are straight up a spiral staircase, the climb is worth it as the view from the top is excellent. Now only 283 steps down.

After all that work it is time for a relaxing break so off to the water front and the pub for a pint of cider and some food, ah the sun is out, the boats are bobing in the river, and the river front is full of people, great way to spend the afternoon.

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Day 19- London > Ely 27 Sept 2013

Up early and off to the tube station, today we start our driving holiday and we are off to pickup the car up from Marble Arch. It is 8:30 and the central line is very busy, trains arrive every minute, all packed with commuters, not a place for tourists with suit cases, after about 15 minutes we can finally jump in a carriage, the peak is finally lighter and we head off.

We pickup the car and we are on our way, I decide to upgrade from a Hyundai I20 to a VW Golf TDI, my first diesel car, the boot is a little bigger and seems to handle well. Will be interesting to see how the economy goes.

We head through the suburbs and out onto the motorway, soon we are making our way too Cambridge for lunch, the weather is holding up for us as we stroll around the town, eating our pasties and enjoying the day.

Back in the car it is not long before we are back on the motorway and heading for Ely, it is only a short trip and soon the cathedral is looming on the horizon.

We check into the hotel and have a quick look around, the cathedral is closed today but tomorrow it is open for business as usual.

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Day 18- London 26 Sept 2013

Blue sky, sun and a cool breeze greets us as we step out into the morning, can this be London? We head to the underground to catch the train to Trafalgar Square, the national gallery is our first stop, we arrive before the doors open so we get to wander around without any crowds. I wanted to see Renoirs parasols, but I cannot find it, I decide to ask one of the security officers and he tells me the most wonderful story. It turns out the owner of the painting had a will leaving the painting to the Dublin national gallery, and he was killed in the sinking of the titanic, when the y went through his papers they found a second will, this one leaving all his paintings to the national gallery of London. The two gallery decided that instead of a long court battle they would share the collection which unfortunately for me meant my Renoir was sent to Dublin at the start of this year where it will stay for the next 6 years.

Wandering down Whitehall we take a look at Downing Street before heading off to Westminster Abby, we wander around looking at the magnificent carvings before heading over to Parliament House and Big Ben, we are right on the stroke of 12 so Big Ben is in full voice.

Next it is across the bridge heading for the eye, the themes is at low tide but still running pretty fast. After som lunch it is off to the eye.

19 pounds gets us a ticket for a ride, they queue is short and it is not long before we have boarded the gondola and are heading skywards. With the weather holding and the sun out we get a good view over the city, all the way down to St. Paul's and on to the business district.

All in all a great last day in London, tomorrow we get the car and hit the road.

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Day 17 - Paris > London 25 Sept 2013

Alas all good things come to an end and our time in Paris is over. We pack the bags and catch a taxi to Garde de Norde, the morning traffic is heavy and the going is a bit slow, I have a theory that all French drivers think that all other French drivers have obtained there drivers licences from a cereal packet, hence the obsessive use of the horn, hand gestures and cursing. Thus making the journey to catch the train most entertaining.

The train departs on time and we cruise out into the countryside at 275 klm/h, we get a coffee and a piece of cake and sit back and enjoy the ride. The weather is getting foggier the closer to the channel we get.

Calais arrives and we plunge into the darkness of the tunnel, for 20 minutes we are suspended in the sense of not moving, only the streaking by of the green tunnel lights remind us of our movement. Back into daylight and we are shortly arriving into St Pancreas station.

Departing the train we head to the underground to catch a train back to our original hotel, the train is fairly empty making for an easy transit.

Back in London for another day before picking up the hire car.

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Day 16 - Paris 24 Sept 2013

Another sunny day greets us as we head for the RER to catch the train to Versailles, we have metro tickets to get us there but we need to buy a ticket back to Paris to get back, this is slightly cheaper than a day ticket costing 6.70 euro.

The Vick train arrives and we are off, heading through the Paris suburbs on our way to Versailles, we arrive and walk down to the chateau, even though it is early, 9.30 am there is a line snaking around the courtyard,

It takes quite awhile to get in but finally we are in and enjoying the lavishly appointed rooms.

Dozens of tour groups make some rooms hard to navigate but after 3 hours we have seen the lot, highlights being the hall of victories and of course the hall of mirrors.

Since my last visit they have changed the rules and now the museum pass doesn't allow entry to the gardens, a separate pass costing 7.50 is required to get you through the gate. Considering our tiring legs we decide the views of the gardens from the windows of the chateau will do.

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Day 15 - Paris 23 Sept 2013

Monday, only 2 days left in Paris and being Monday the Chateau of Versailles is closed so that makes it tomorrows outing. So today we are first off to see Monets Lillie's.

We catch the RER around to the D'Orsey and the walk over the river to the Musee L'Orangerie which houses Monets Water Lillie's, there is a small line up but it doesn't take long to get inside. We sit a while and enjoy the paintings before going down to see the other pictures in the gallery, there is a good collection of Renoir paintings.

Next it is back on the metro and off to the Basilica Sacre Cour. I asked our hotel desk clerk which was the best station to go to for the basilica, I though she was sending us to the station I used on one of my previous visit, alas I can only deduce that the desk clerk has not been to the basilica because the station was at the back of the Basilica which means one thing, lots of steps, 3 main staircases of about 100 steps each.

After hauling ourselves up to the top we entered into the main shopping and art center, lots of artists painting portraits of tourists, street performers and restaurants. We head around to the Basilica and wander inside, the inside is nicely decorated, some great roof paintings.

After exiting back out onto the steps we admire the views over Paris in the sunshine before wandering down to the food and tourist shops, a sandwich is enjoyed while watching the carousel. Some mandatory gift shopping is done before heading for the station that I imaged we would have started at.

For future reference Anvers is the metro stop for the Basilica.

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Day 14 - Paris 22 Sept 2013

Cloudy skies great us today as we step out into the street on our way to the tomb of Napoleon, we make our way across the champ de mars where they have set up for a disabled games. The streets are full of health conscious Parisian running about as we make our way to invalides.

The monument has few visitors apart from one guided tour, and it is nice to wander about looking at the crypts in relative piece.

Next we are off to the Pont Alexander 3 bridge, this has to be my favourite bridge, we walk over and back before dropping down to walk along the river side.

We grab some lunch and eat it in the courtyard of the Musee D'Orsey, there are long lines and large crowds inside, seems like everyone has the same idea for a Sunday afternoon. They have changed the display since my last visit but all my favourite pieces are now all on show, after wearing ourselves out we head back to the hotel to watch the highlights from the Grand Prix.

It is also worth noting that being Sunday all of the supermarkets and most shops do not open.

 

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