Trip report-London, France, Belguim
Apr 30th, 2015, 03:45 AM
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Oops my first trip report and I've messed up already.
Arrived London after the killer trip from Melbourne on Tuesday - no entertainment system working for 15. Hours so a girl has to sleep!
Settled in to our home away from home in north London. A great pub meal (wild salmon fish cakes)at Maid of Muswell and even played trivia . We were rubbish but not the worst . Thinking helps jetlag .
Wednesday armed with our newly purchased Oyster card , bus route to tube station - all marked on a paper napkin (also a new finding for me - Google mapping directions saved to calendar) we ventured to National Portrait Gallery to view John Singer Sargent exhibition- loved it particularly because of his connection with dh's family - he painted 5 portraits of the family - none in the exhibition but at last found one at Birmingham art gallery .
Walked around in rain and cold - saw renovated Leicester Square, construction everywhere.
Had booked a table at the National Portrait Gallery restaurant in order to have a mini get together with janisj. What a delightful experience - company, food, service , view and the celebration courtesy of janisj. I ate squid with samphire, baked cod , Italian red - chianti.
Back home to the north . Dinner at Zizzis Highgate - an Italian chain - good pizza and salad and has 50% off mains deals.
This trip report will done in dribs and drabs .
Arrived London after the killer trip from Melbourne on Tuesday - no entertainment system working for 15. Hours so a girl has to sleep!
Settled in to our home away from home in north London. A great pub meal (wild salmon fish cakes)at Maid of Muswell and even played trivia . We were rubbish but not the worst . Thinking helps jetlag .
Wednesday armed with our newly purchased Oyster card , bus route to tube station - all marked on a paper napkin (also a new finding for me - Google mapping directions saved to calendar) we ventured to National Portrait Gallery to view John Singer Sargent exhibition- loved it particularly because of his connection with dh's family - he painted 5 portraits of the family - none in the exhibition but at last found one at Birmingham art gallery .
Walked around in rain and cold - saw renovated Leicester Square, construction everywhere.
Had booked a table at the National Portrait Gallery restaurant in order to have a mini get together with janisj. What a delightful experience - company, food, service , view and the celebration courtesy of janisj. I ate squid with samphire, baked cod , Italian red - chianti.
Back home to the north . Dinner at Zizzis Highgate - an Italian chain - good pizza and salad and has 50% off mains deals.
This trip report will done in dribs and drabs .
Apr 30th, 2015, 04:59 AM
#7
on for the ride, samphire was the hip thing 5 years ago, now worked its way to pub menus. Green and slightly squishy linked up tubes. Still way better than iceburg or round lettuce (who knew lettuce could be round, I thought it was spherical)
May 3rd, 2015, 02:32 PM
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Part 2- dh played golf at Hampstead golf club whilst I had a lazy day exploring - over 10 charity shops and here I was thinking it was cafes and food stores that made the world go round. Love trying local beers so tried one at The Clissold Arms - good , but can't remember name then again it's hard to get a bad one in England.
Friday - trip to Brighton - bus, tube the train from London Bridge . Love the public transport here and the way you can book online and pick up your tickets at station.
The Royal Pavilion - loved the mini i pad you carry around and included in the ticket price. Sumptuous building and that's understating it. Friend recommended the tea room so we had to have morning tea there.
Off to the pebbly beach and walked along the foreshore . Of course we had to have a container of cockles and one of crayfish to eat .
Explored the lanes and streets as we walked back to the station - a trendy vibrant town with some faded glory!
Movies -Far from the Madding Crowd at local cinema- enjoyable.
Saturday - did a London Walk in the pm . Little Venice from Warwick Ave tube . "Super" adults £8 - great way to explore an area and hear the history in an interesting way . This one is around Paddington, Maida Vale and Regents canal. Fun seeing Lillie Langtry, Richard Branson, Michael Bond s homes , seeing birth place of Alan Turing etc etc. a Bank holiday carnival on the canal made it crowded but colorful with all boats out to impress.
Sunday - off to Sissinghurst by car. I've wanted to go there for over 20 years but "things" have gotten in the way - last time heavy rain . Gardens of tulips, daffodils and more. Particularly liked the white garden . Orchard closed when it has been raining . Lovely walks around , places to picnic , cafe that uses the produce from the huge vegetable garden. Volunteers around will answer questions and do mini talks . Library of house and tower are open to public. Dream fulfilled!
Off to Paris on Eurostar tomorrow.
Friday - trip to Brighton - bus, tube the train from London Bridge . Love the public transport here and the way you can book online and pick up your tickets at station.
The Royal Pavilion - loved the mini i pad you carry around and included in the ticket price. Sumptuous building and that's understating it. Friend recommended the tea room so we had to have morning tea there.
Off to the pebbly beach and walked along the foreshore . Of course we had to have a container of cockles and one of crayfish to eat .
Explored the lanes and streets as we walked back to the station - a trendy vibrant town with some faded glory!
Movies -Far from the Madding Crowd at local cinema- enjoyable.
Saturday - did a London Walk in the pm . Little Venice from Warwick Ave tube . "Super" adults £8 - great way to explore an area and hear the history in an interesting way . This one is around Paddington, Maida Vale and Regents canal. Fun seeing Lillie Langtry, Richard Branson, Michael Bond s homes , seeing birth place of Alan Turing etc etc. a Bank holiday carnival on the canal made it crowded but colorful with all boats out to impress.
Sunday - off to Sissinghurst by car. I've wanted to go there for over 20 years but "things" have gotten in the way - last time heavy rain . Gardens of tulips, daffodils and more. Particularly liked the white garden . Orchard closed when it has been raining . Lovely walks around , places to picnic , cafe that uses the produce from the huge vegetable garden. Volunteers around will answer questions and do mini talks . Library of house and tower are open to public. Dream fulfilled!
Off to Paris on Eurostar tomorrow.
May 9th, 2015, 10:02 AM
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A week in Paris- continuing journey
Took 2 on board type bags on the Eurostar- certainly takes longer than expected to proceed through security and immigration - need every minute of that recommended 30 mins before departure . Had reserved seats - surprised that people move seats so much . Bought Metro tickets carnet -10 tickets) on board - probably paid more but it gave us one less thing to do on arrival at Gare Du Nord.
Information desk showed us where ATM was. Had good instructions from hotel about which Metro to catch to Latin Quarter and walk from station.
Room at Best Westin Jardin De Cluny - room on 5 floor , tiny lift - couldn't fit luggage in but staff arranged for it to be brought up. Staff have been exceptional -helpful, friendly .
Walked around area - Sorbonne, Musee Cluny - had late lunch at Bouillon Racine - as I am fond of Art Nouveau I particularly enjoyed the deco - restaurant opened in 1908. Has a fixed price but we usually just choose a main so don't use that .
Surprised to see the Seine flowing over the paths and very few boats - only occasional large one - few places to dock and restaurants on water unable to be accessed .
Set forth next day with rainwear and umbrellas - off to Pantheon - 2 mins walk . Had no idea so many French heroes are buried in the crypt - Louis Braille, Marie Curie . Beautiful building well worth seeing.
off to Rue De Mouffetard area for a favourite of mine - food looking and some buying- shows much about culture. Purchased my fav cheese Comte .
Lunch at Vietnamese restaurant - walked out of 1st one - given menus but no service then found Petit Saigon - menu in Vietnamese and French - great service and food - value for money.
Visited St Severin church - an old favourite - very dark and one of the oldest on left bank and it's an active church still.
Took 2 on board type bags on the Eurostar- certainly takes longer than expected to proceed through security and immigration - need every minute of that recommended 30 mins before departure . Had reserved seats - surprised that people move seats so much . Bought Metro tickets carnet -10 tickets) on board - probably paid more but it gave us one less thing to do on arrival at Gare Du Nord.
Information desk showed us where ATM was. Had good instructions from hotel about which Metro to catch to Latin Quarter and walk from station.
Room at Best Westin Jardin De Cluny - room on 5 floor , tiny lift - couldn't fit luggage in but staff arranged for it to be brought up. Staff have been exceptional -helpful, friendly .
Walked around area - Sorbonne, Musee Cluny - had late lunch at Bouillon Racine - as I am fond of Art Nouveau I particularly enjoyed the deco - restaurant opened in 1908. Has a fixed price but we usually just choose a main so don't use that .
Surprised to see the Seine flowing over the paths and very few boats - only occasional large one - few places to dock and restaurants on water unable to be accessed .
Set forth next day with rainwear and umbrellas - off to Pantheon - 2 mins walk . Had no idea so many French heroes are buried in the crypt - Louis Braille, Marie Curie . Beautiful building well worth seeing.
off to Rue De Mouffetard area for a favourite of mine - food looking and some buying- shows much about culture. Purchased my fav cheese Comte .
Lunch at Vietnamese restaurant - walked out of 1st one - given menus but no service then found Petit Saigon - menu in Vietnamese and French - great service and food - value for money.
Visited St Severin church - an old favourite - very dark and one of the oldest on left bank and it's an active church still.
May 9th, 2015, 12:37 PM
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Still Paris-concierge booked us arable at Le Pre Verre- on the corner fron hotel. Reviewed in Paris by Mouth, and a few others. Crowded and tables close together- excellent service , great food and loved the parsley ice cream !
Walked to Opera Garnier the next morning for the English speaking tour I had booked online before leaving Australia. Worried we wouldn't get in on time as we had to change the voucher for tickets and the line was long. Fortunately an attendant called out in French for those who were on the tour to come forward. 90 mins of the story with Caroline the guide not to be missed- ceiling by Chagall, visit to the stalls, foyer that is a smaller version of Versailles Hall of Mirrors.
Caught in heavy rain we stayed in Le Galeries Lafayette to eat lunch - worst meal so far. Why did I pick a burger? Love rare steak but not in burgers, cold fries. Still the view of the Art nouveau store and the Eiffel Tower out the 6 floor window made up for the poor lunch.
Rain stopped so walked to Musee l'Orangerie- long but fast moving queue. Known for the Monet works but enjoyed the exhibition . Not my favourite museum.
Exhausted after walking 9 kms today.
Next day after the usual excellent hotel breakfast off to Musee Quai De Branly. Had read about the Australian aboriginal artists who were asked to exhibit here. It's approx 7 years old - probably the best modern gallery dh and I have seen- collection of works of all indigenous cultures except Europe- superbly displayed and well set out in a beautiful garden and with an exterior vertical garden on the building. Lunch was a meal in the sunshine -hooray - in the garden cafe with a view of the neighboring Eiffel Tower.
Dinner at le Bar a huitres - nearby - love the seafood all displayed on ice out the front. I had the platter - something of everything !
Met friends near Bastille and went on Canal St Martin boat trip with Canauxrama. It's relaxing and slow - commentary in French and English by same person which makes for lots of talking. You see a different part of Paris as you proceed through approx. 6 locks. You can get off at Parc de Villette or go to the end at Basin Villette- both good access to Metro- lots of locals on board.
After a suitable rest we visited the Musee Cluny or Moyen Age - examples of tapestry wall hangings , lots of religious art including altar pieces and in The Gallo Roman baths even a marble bath. Dh who is not fond of museums , art gallery enjoyed this well set out display and buildings.
Dinner at Brasserie Balzar - mostly locals capped off the day.
Our last full day in Paris- wanted to see Conciegerie where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned . Got to St Chappelle line at 9.30 - long but fast only to find out Ibecause we didn't want to to St Chappelle as well we had to go out and go through a different door - no lines.
A brochure in English gives an outline of history and some signs are in Englsih also a short film has English writing . Good overview of the revolution times and those who were imprisoned in this former kings residence. Well set out .
Off to do last minute shopping at Le Bon Marche - only department store on Left bank. As always displays in French stores are superb , the building inside is interesting .
Lunch at La Table - in the food building of the store. A visit to the food department is fascinating - one wall just of different bottled water.
An expensive store but worth looking at. I did buy some French linens .
Dinner next door to hotel - sumo Japponaise proved largely disappointing - slow service and wrong food .
Walked around to see our last night in Paris - off to Amiens.
Walked to Opera Garnier the next morning for the English speaking tour I had booked online before leaving Australia. Worried we wouldn't get in on time as we had to change the voucher for tickets and the line was long. Fortunately an attendant called out in French for those who were on the tour to come forward. 90 mins of the story with Caroline the guide not to be missed- ceiling by Chagall, visit to the stalls, foyer that is a smaller version of Versailles Hall of Mirrors.
Caught in heavy rain we stayed in Le Galeries Lafayette to eat lunch - worst meal so far. Why did I pick a burger? Love rare steak but not in burgers, cold fries. Still the view of the Art nouveau store and the Eiffel Tower out the 6 floor window made up for the poor lunch.
Rain stopped so walked to Musee l'Orangerie- long but fast moving queue. Known for the Monet works but enjoyed the exhibition . Not my favourite museum.
Exhausted after walking 9 kms today.
Next day after the usual excellent hotel breakfast off to Musee Quai De Branly. Had read about the Australian aboriginal artists who were asked to exhibit here. It's approx 7 years old - probably the best modern gallery dh and I have seen- collection of works of all indigenous cultures except Europe- superbly displayed and well set out in a beautiful garden and with an exterior vertical garden on the building. Lunch was a meal in the sunshine -hooray - in the garden cafe with a view of the neighboring Eiffel Tower.
Dinner at le Bar a huitres - nearby - love the seafood all displayed on ice out the front. I had the platter - something of everything !
Met friends near Bastille and went on Canal St Martin boat trip with Canauxrama. It's relaxing and slow - commentary in French and English by same person which makes for lots of talking. You see a different part of Paris as you proceed through approx. 6 locks. You can get off at Parc de Villette or go to the end at Basin Villette- both good access to Metro- lots of locals on board.
After a suitable rest we visited the Musee Cluny or Moyen Age - examples of tapestry wall hangings , lots of religious art including altar pieces and in The Gallo Roman baths even a marble bath. Dh who is not fond of museums , art gallery enjoyed this well set out display and buildings.
Dinner at Brasserie Balzar - mostly locals capped off the day.
Our last full day in Paris- wanted to see Conciegerie where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned . Got to St Chappelle line at 9.30 - long but fast only to find out Ibecause we didn't want to to St Chappelle as well we had to go out and go through a different door - no lines.
A brochure in English gives an outline of history and some signs are in Englsih also a short film has English writing . Good overview of the revolution times and those who were imprisoned in this former kings residence. Well set out .
Off to do last minute shopping at Le Bon Marche - only department store on Left bank. As always displays in French stores are superb , the building inside is interesting .
Lunch at La Table - in the food building of the store. A visit to the food department is fascinating - one wall just of different bottled water.
An expensive store but worth looking at. I did buy some French linens .
Dinner next door to hotel - sumo Japponaise proved largely disappointing - slow service and wrong food .
Walked around to see our last night in Paris - off to Amiens.
May 11th, 2015, 02:33 PM
#12
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Fun to read your report and glad to see someone making it to the Quai Branly. To be honest their cafe is about as close as I want to get to the Eiffel Tour and it's a nice view! Incidentally, there's an aboriginal special exhibit on at the British Museum which I'm hoping to see in the next month.
Hope you enjoyed Amiens and sorry to miss you in London!
Hope you enjoyed Amiens and sorry to miss you in London!
May 14th, 2015, 08:06 AM
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Amiens- 3 nights there - we find that's a good amount of time when moving around by train. Train from Gare Du Nord - interestingly SCNF told us there were no Sunday trains from Paris to Amiens so we chose to go TGV to Lille and then back to Amiens on the slow train - should have have taken 90 mins instead of the 4 - 5 hours it took. Integrating ly whilst waiting for the train I noticed arrival and departure from/to Amiens- still waiting an explanation!!!
On arrival in Amiens couldn't find a food place open - had forgotten about fixed lunch times and Sunday's in smaller cities.
Our purpose in going to Amiens was to go to Villers Bretonneux- a site special to Australians in WW1. I had asked Greg Celerse from "remembering fromelles " to take us to the site . Greg lives in Lille but was happy to pick us up and take us. The school at VB is called the Victoria school - it was rebuilt with money raised by Victorian school children - a sign on the school says " never forget Australia" . Lots of Australian connections in Amiens and surrounding areas - very moving even though we have no family who was in that area.Another area Greg took us to was Beaumont -Hamel - area owned and staffed by Canadians to preserve and remember the Newfoundland troops who nearly all died on the first day of the battle of the Somme. Hadn't realized Newfoundland was not part of Canada at that time and was a British Dominion. A beautiful caribou monument stands over the site and the tour was superbly run by a young Canadian student - you could hear the emotion in her voice - her last tour before going home.
Another highlight of Amiens is the largest Gothic cathedral in Europe -lots of memorials to the soldiers of many countries who fought in the area- the cathedral is truly huge , some sections show the original colour and a little chubby angel featured in WW1 postcards sent home.
Lots of canals and gardens on those - 600 hectares used for growing vegetables by farmers and small owners- great walks and good use having restaurants along the canal banks.
Had a lovely meal at Bistro Boucher - the local "ficelle" - mushroom and cheese pancake. Lots of beer in this area - must be getting nearer to Belguim. Tante Jeanne on the canal bank was another good crepe restaurant .
A very pretty town. Off to Lille.
Tried the Amiens macaron - an almond biscuit - prefer the other type .
On arrival in Amiens couldn't find a food place open - had forgotten about fixed lunch times and Sunday's in smaller cities.
Our purpose in going to Amiens was to go to Villers Bretonneux- a site special to Australians in WW1. I had asked Greg Celerse from "remembering fromelles " to take us to the site . Greg lives in Lille but was happy to pick us up and take us. The school at VB is called the Victoria school - it was rebuilt with money raised by Victorian school children - a sign on the school says " never forget Australia" . Lots of Australian connections in Amiens and surrounding areas - very moving even though we have no family who was in that area.Another area Greg took us to was Beaumont -Hamel - area owned and staffed by Canadians to preserve and remember the Newfoundland troops who nearly all died on the first day of the battle of the Somme. Hadn't realized Newfoundland was not part of Canada at that time and was a British Dominion. A beautiful caribou monument stands over the site and the tour was superbly run by a young Canadian student - you could hear the emotion in her voice - her last tour before going home.
Another highlight of Amiens is the largest Gothic cathedral in Europe -lots of memorials to the soldiers of many countries who fought in the area- the cathedral is truly huge , some sections show the original colour and a little chubby angel featured in WW1 postcards sent home.
Lots of canals and gardens on those - 600 hectares used for growing vegetables by farmers and small owners- great walks and good use having restaurants along the canal banks.
Had a lovely meal at Bistro Boucher - the local "ficelle" - mushroom and cheese pancake. Lots of beer in this area - must be getting nearer to Belguim. Tante Jeanne on the canal bank was another good crepe restaurant .
A very pretty town. Off to Lille.
Tried the Amiens macaron - an almond biscuit - prefer the other type .
May 14th, 2015, 09:01 AM
#17
I can't imagine what question you asked about trains from Paris to Amiens, because there are direct trains on Sunday about every 30-60 minutes plus a number of others with a quick connection in Beauvais or Arras. Perhaps you asked about taking the TGV to Amiens? Those are rare, since the TGV line does not go to Amiens.
May 15th, 2015, 09:53 AM
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Kerouac - I use railbookers for tickets as I find that easy for me. They were told by SCNF that the Sunday train doesn't run anymore . Railbookers have compensated me for the inconvenience but still haven't got an answer. I'm sure they didn't ask about the TGV . Maybe I'll never know !
May 15th, 2015, 10:51 AM
#20
Just for the record, the full undiscounted walk-up fare from Paris to Amiens is 22.80 euros but discounted fares are easy to find at 17.50 euros. (These fares are on www.voyages-sncf.com or www.capitainetrain.com ) I hope you did not pay any more than that.
