Jun 21, 2018 - We now have a car

This morning we picked up the rental car and left Paris. We made it to Giverney, the home of Monet's beautiful gardens. After viewing the gardens and exploring the little village we then drove on a little further to our accommodation on a farm a few klms from Vernon. The whole town of Vernon was celebrating the start of summer with the main streets closed off and many bands playing outside pubs and restaurants. We enjoyed a beautiful French dinner before returning back to Forest Farm for an early night.

Jun 20, 2018 - Paris - our last full day in Paris

Today we explored more of Paris on foot being able to walk from our apartment to the famous shopping centre "Galeries Lafayette". Several connected buildings with about 7 stories of mainly high end designer fashion goods. We finished the day with a lovely meal at a restaurant just around the corner " Rouge Bis". All very nice for our last day in Paris. Tomorrow we pick up our car for the next part of our adventure.

Jun 20, 2018 - Paris

Had the captains dinner last night!! omg big night !! Got all the oldies up for a dance !! Grabbed the microphone and thanked the cruise director for his service.. so typical! Had sooo Much fun. Decided to tour Paris ourselves and not go with the crowd on the bus.. walking everywhere Eiffel Tower, Trocadero, champs Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, sitting now having a coffee on the Chamos Élysées.. devine

Jun 19, 2018 - Les Andelys

Les Andelys 19th June Really pretty town dating back to the 12th century, the church managed to survived the war, a gothic style .. just visiting the castle built by Richard the lion heart called chateau Gallard and has the most breathtaking views of the seine and the castle.. off to Giverny it’s a really pretty drive with the flax’s blooming blue and the wild poppies .. awwww arrived at the beautiful gardens and house of Monet .. you just never get sick of the divine gardens an Lilly pads.. more and more photos !!! Having and absolute ball!!

Jun 19, 2018 - Paris - day 5

Our trip to Versailles didn't turn out the way we expected. Firstly, one of the trains we were supposed to catch was cancelled because someone had left an unattended package or bag which had to be attended to (we understand it turned out to be nothing serious). We were redirected to another train line which caused some confusion as we tried to link up with another train heading towards Versailles. We eventually got there only to find that the palace was closed for the day due to industrial action. We had bought tickets on line before...

Jun 18, 2018 - Normandy

Normandy 18th June The battle of Normandy D day June 6th 1944 Heading to the beaches of Normandy. It’s around a two hour drive from the ship in Le Havre . First we are going past the beaches where the Canadian American and English where dropped by parachutes. Then the little village of cong where William the conquer lived and was buried dates from 1066 .. There is 85 km of beaches the battle lasted 100 days and cost 120 thousand lives ! So sad! 70 thousand Germans buried here in Normandy and most under 20 years old. We then stopped at...

Jun 18, 2018 - Paris - day 4

Scattered showers were forecast for today so decided to spend the whole day at The Louvre. What a wonderful museum this is. You need a few days to really do it justice. Unfortunately there are too many tourists in Paris at the moment and it seems we all want to see Mona Lisa. The crowds made it difficult to really enjoy some of the more popular exhibits but regardless, we saw some great works of art. Would love to spend more time there. Really enjoying Paris - a beautiful city and so easy to get around on the Metro. Tomorrow we are off to...

Jun 17, 2018 - Last Day

Today has been spent quietly preparing for tomorrow's flight. Tickets were verified at the airport, check in via the internet completed. Gord has been for a walk while I repacked yet again. All is ready. We are off to dinner. We plan an early night as 5a comes early.

Jun 17, 2018 - Paris - day 3

Another short Metro ride this morning brought us out at Notre Dame. Being Sunday, Mass was being conducted but this didn't mean tourists were kept out. We were allowed to walk around the inside edge of this magnificent cathedral and enjoy the sounds of the service. The cathedral has been there since the 1100's and is truly wonderful. Outside the church is an underground crypt showing the remains of a Roman settlement which was originally on this site in the 2nd and 3rd century. After lunch we found Sainte-Chapelle another gem of High Gothic...

Jun 17, 2018 - Le Havre

Le Havre 17th June We docked here overnight and it’s located directly in the mouth of the Seine and the second largest ports in France, also the largest city in Normandy, and also badly damaged in the Second World War.. renaissance city of the 16th century, sorry for the history lesson, but it’s so I remember too.. Off to the cliffs of E’tretat the resort fishing village, so beautiful with incredibly breathtaking cliffs!! Walked to the top to enjoy the views. We spend a few hours there, enjoying the sunshine.. heading back to the boat for...

Jun 16, 2018 - Rouen

Rouen 16 th June Started the day with the boats early morning gym session hehe haha!! Samiko, Nola and Donna you would laugh a lot they were either too old not flexible or couldn’t understand !! Bloody hilarious!! She kinda brought me to the front and we just did our own thing!!! After that funny start we enjoyed a relaxing morning with a tour to the city of Rouen,the capital of Normandy, we visited the cathedral and heard stories about Joan of Arc and then we returned to the ship where they had prepared a traditional french feast for us...

Jun 16, 2018 - Opera House

We left Gizors and drove via D914 to the outer Paris Ring Road. This we took to Charles de Gaulle and Roisy en France. We found T T...a Renault contracter. With the exception of one snide comment made between 2 employees, everyone was courteous. We were driven to our hotel....on the edge of terminal 3 right beside the subway line. We are in the 'red' Ibis. After a quick lunch , we caught the RER...blue line...to Chatelet de Halles, got directions to the red subway line and got off at Aubert...one station. Time....1 1/2 hours. We found...