A trip to the French counryside…
After a very complex bit of packing for our trip back to Melbourne, ie 2 computers, and basic necessities for a weekend in Louviers, then 2 weeks in Melbourne, (warm weather or cold!!) we took a taxi to St Lazare station – wimps really, we could have caught the metro, but with two wheelie bags of medium size, one computer bag on wheels, my overnight bag for the plane and Ian’s overnight for the plane, we took the easy way out., Why do we travel with so much stuff – but that’s another story.
We were at the station with an hour to spare, only to find there were a couple of hundred other people and seats on the station for 15!! Despite inefficiencies in other areas of French organisation, their train systems are terrific and our train duly left on time, packed to overflowing with people and bags.
Many people left the train at Vernon , where they were catching the bus to Giverney. We traveled on for a further 30 minutes, alighted at our station, and were confronted by a long and very steep set of stairs to get off the platform. We managed all the various bags, looked back to see one poor girl at the bottom with no chance of getting her case up on her own – and there was no one else left. Whizzed down to help her up , walked along the passageway, and there was the other equally steep set of stairs to go down again – helped this lass again, walked out of the station, only to see our red bus driving off down the road. Oh no, when was the next one?? One and a half hours to wait!!! Okay, how to get a taxi. We managed to get three numbers from the Ticket lady at the station, looked up a few phrases in our French Pocket book, took a deep breath and dialed the numbers. First one was a message, second one was a message, with no chance of us interpreting. Last number, phew, monsieur answered and with my best French eg Je voudrais un taxi at Val de Leill station., je vais a Louviers. Bless that man, he said he would be there in 15 minutes (at least I think that was what he said – I only understood the quinzes minute) and voila, he transported us direct to our hotel in Louviers, We explored the ancient city, much of it built in the 12-13th centuries but bombed badly by the Germans during the 2nd world war before they occupied the city, so a real mixture of architecture. And the Church was quite amazing – its architectural style is known as flamboyant Gothic – and flamboyant it certainly was, complete with flying buttresses and the most intricately carved columns and spires. Sadly it has been neglected over the years and a great deal of money is required to really bring it up to its former glory – a big ask when the town has only 20000 people. It must be a dilemna for local and Provincial authorities as these churches are really part of their heritage.
Sunday we set off to have lunch with Susan Loomis – she lives in a very old house on Rue Tatin of course,(the title of her book) just across the road from the church. It was originally a convent and the oldest section, built in a similar manner to Tudor style houses. We met our other guests – a family of 4 from Atlanta , celebrating their dad’s 60th birthday, and a mum daughter, also from American and a couple of Susan’s friends. It was a wonderful afternoon – aperitifs of apple cider, fresh radishes dipped in salt, a pate which was so smooth it was nearly a mousse. Then inside to the large dining table – a cucumber and cream cheese entrée, delicious and cleansing, followed by a guinea hen, similar to chicken but a deeper flavour, with a potato and artichoke dish and grilled endive. Mouth watering. A green salad followed as is the custom in France, then the cheese board – many different varieties – soft and hard, but too many to describe here. And of course there were different wines to match the different foods. Oh and to finish, a tiny glass of Calvados. Three hours of wonderful and great company.
We had previously arranged for their local Taxi man, Monsieur Eric, to take us direct to the airport for our 10.20pm flight, except, that in the morning we had a SMS from Singapore Airlines to say that the plane would be delayed and would not be leaving until 1.15am. What could we do, but continue with the plans and hope that the plane arrived in Singapore in time for our connection to Melbourne – Ian had a School AGM to chair. So I am sitting at the airport and enjoying a chat. Will transfer to the blog site when I arrive in Melbourne .
I must admit most large international airports have a great array of shops to help while away the time – but not Charles de Gaulle terminal 1. But Singapore Airlines was rising to the occasion as usual, and bussing all the passengers to a nearby hotel for dinner. Needless to say, after our long lunch we certainly didn’t need any more food. So here we are, Ian is writing a report and I am about to finish here and delve into my book.
And talking of books, I am reading the book I mentioned last week by Bryce Corbett called A Town Like Paris. It is terrific – well written and highly entertaining. The chapter about his mum ringing every Sunday morning while he was trying to sleep off his bachelor hangover was hilarious and would be appreciated by all mothers whose sons/daughters have traveled far from home, (especially as he wasn’t at all interested in whether a new roundabout was going to be put in at the end of his mothers street!!!)and indeed Ian thought he was writing not just about his mum, but me also!!! I think I will not show Andrew and David that chapter.
Will away – Ian is having a beer and I will perhaps indulge in a little glass of wine – only 4 more hours before we leave – hopefully!!!
PS We were too late to connect with the flight at 9pm Singapore-Melbourne - so another couple of hours and we managed the 11.30pm flight. We have arrived in Melbourne - it is very very cold!!!
