Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Schnauzer, live from Paris, Lyon, Nice, Averyon and Dordogne, join me

Schnauzer, live from Paris, Lyon, Nice, Averyon and Dordogne, join me

Old Jun 8th, 2013, 09:05 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,373
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Schnauzer, live from Paris, Lyon, Nice, Averyon and Dordogne, join me

The story so far:

After a hair raising ride to the airport courtesy of my 22 year old son I caught my flight with PLENTY of time, that would have to have been the fastest trip from Avalon to Mascot on record. Too fast too see the tunnel signs so we went via the city but guess what, I think we beat those slow folk tootling through that tunnel!

Asiana Airlines were fine again, this is the second time I have flown them, they offer a good price and are comfortable etc. I had the night in Seoul which if nothing else breaks the journey.

After enjoying a breakfast of pickled fish, my new favourite wake up food, we were on the move again. 11 hours we landed at CDG, the weather was amazing, hot and sunny! Caught the RER to town, halfway there the train pulled into a station and after an announcement ending in "le train en face" (got that bit) we all leapt up (suitcases et al) and careened over the platform to another waiting train, now chockers.... Oh well. Cabbed it to the apartment in the 18th my fave arrondissement. The apartment is small but comfortable....

Rang my American friend Sue, who is staying also in the same hood and she came over and we chatted catching up for the couple of hours. Finally the jet lag kicked in and off to bed I went.

Up this morning at the crack of dawn, ready to rock and roll by 7.15am! Now typing this in a small hole in the wall cafe after knocking back my first coffee of the day. Weather is looking promising again. Off to breakfast with Sue at a new place we have discovered.

Now later the same day.....

Turned out the new coffee place,Marcel on Ave Junot didn't open until 10.00 for Brunch, don't want brunch, want brekkie NOW so off to the old fave Le Cepage for coffee, croissant and tartine. Sat and chatted until 10.30 and then decided to see the Murano glass exhibition in the 6th. I had some old metro tickets from two years ago and lo and behold they still worked, great stuff. Found the Maillot museum and walked around admiring the glass and wondering what possessed some of the designers to create such horrendous chandeliers, fortunately there weren't many of those. Couldn't find one particular plate featured in the programme so asked an assistant where it was however he found it too hard to look up from his texting to actually be of any assistance!

Next time for lunch.... We had two choices in the 7th so off we headed, tip, never put an Aussie who has just arrived in charge of the map!! After walking for 15 mins, having paused to watch the queue outside Cristian Louboutin- kept at bay by the security guard, we realised we had been walking in completely the wrong direction - zut alors I hear you say, at least that was close to what I said... About turn, back to see some young girl exiting C. L. With the 700euro pair of shoes. I am sure they didn't have my size otherwise I would have popped inside.

Finally we reached a decision and headed for Cafe Constant, a great restaurant where we had eaten before. Instead of walking on the main road the whole way we ducked into a lovely looking park, walked right to the end of the park only to discover the exit gate was padlocked. Tres handy, about turn (again) and back we went. My feet were now getting a tad hot as the sun was shining and everyone else seemed to be sensible and were wearing sandals, my new lace ups and socks just weren't quite right.

Arrived eventually at the restaurant to find it heaving, anyway within 15 mins (promised 5) we were seated. We both had the fish and tempura style vegetables. My pesto sauce was almost non existent and I could hear Manu (my kitchen rules) remonstrating with the chef.... Where is the sauce? It wasn't the best meal I have had there which was a bit disappointing, however as we still had room we managed to share a serve of profiteroles so all was not lost.

Decided to bus it back home as the no. 80 was just around the corner. Well it would have been if we hadn't been talking so darn much and walked right passed the road, yes, and for the third time, about turn....

Now having a well earned cuppa at the flat and a feet up. Day one done.....nearly, Sue coming over to mine for a baguette and cheese and fruit dinner. Will open the complementary wine as well, and somehow a lemon tart made it in with the baguette. Don't know how that happened.

Schnauzer
schnauzer is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2013, 09:40 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,963
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 1 Post
Hellooooooooo Schnauzer!

Great to see you made it, are having fun and am and looking forward to wandering around Paris with you in spirit.

"Where's the sauce?" Manu would be horrified!

Cheers
Bokhara x
Bokhara2 is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2013, 09:46 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,373
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Fabulous start! You sound like me with a map, jet lagged or not! I now don't bother, I'm happy to take the lead of my husband or if I'm with her, my friend Karen who is great with directions and maps.

I'm looking forward to travelling vicariously, next instalment ASAP please!
cathies is online now  
Old Jun 8th, 2013, 10:20 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,921
Received 19 Likes on 4 Posts
I am looking forward to reading your report also, love the Aussie slang as well!!
nelsonian is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2013, 10:22 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 23,773
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 1 Post
I like it when people hit the ground running. But you should do a little less running in the wrong direction.
kerouac is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2013, 11:36 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So glad you arrived safely! Have a wonderful time in Paris and elsewhere in France.I shall enjoy reading all about it and am already eager for more!
(PS Are you in the same apartment as 2 years ago?)
julia_t is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2013, 04:39 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,052
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi Schnauzer, loving your report and your enthusiasm! Looking forward to following you on your journey.
LouisaH is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2013, 04:40 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,052
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
PS. Good job on resisting the CLs.
LouisaH is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2013, 04:47 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Very nicelly written article.
Looking forward for your Dordogne part!

Carla

http://southweststory.com/sarlat
Carla_Jung is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2013, 07:48 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I am in awe of your energy level!!

Looking forward to a nice long story over the next bit of time......
socialworker is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2013, 08:00 AM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,373
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi everyone, thanks for the encouragement. A bit flat today but please read on..... Julia, it is a different apartment but only around the corner. Bokara hellooooo back!


Sunday, day two.

Last night the weather forecast was for 30% chance of rain, but I woke to a very cool, cloudy and misty morning, forecast now saying 70%, hmmm. All those sandal wearing cuties will be disappointed with today, I will now be the sensible one in those lace ups.

Headed with Sue to Coquelicot on rue Abessess for breakfast, normally I tend to have breakfast in my apartment but as Sue and I only have a couple of days to chat every minute counts. I partook of some pretty good s rambled eggs and toast and of course a Bol of hot chocolate. It was quite miserable outside so we had another coffee and chatted some more. Finally at about 11am we headed by metro (walking down the stairs at Abessess I'll have you know- I know not quite the same as up) we decided to visit a recently renovated covered market at Marx Dormoy. There were some super stalls, particularly the cheese one but since we weren't really in the market for food supplies we just looked and left.... Back on the metro and to try and get warm we went to the shops at Carousel under the Louvre. I did find Pylon so Jamie will be happy to get a replacement keyring he wanted. To be honest there really wasn't much there so we walked over the Seine to the 6th to find a certain creperie that Sue knew of off rue de Buci.

Apparently the creperie had other ideas and was closed... Cafe Danton at Opera was open and we found a warm and cosy spot inside. Croque Monsieur for me and salad Nicoise for Sue, small pitcher of Rosé to accompany.

The day was proving a bit slow and we were struggling with the change in temperature, but there was the Chagall exhibition on at the Luxembourg museum that I wanted to see, Sue wasn't really fussed but we just couldn't get our act together with other ideas. She has just spent 7 weeks here so there isn't much left and it wasn't wandering around type of weather. However all self respecting Parisians had the same idea- of course - a cold and miserable Sunday afternoon let's go to see Chagall. We left them to stand in a very long line and just wandered around the Luxembourg Gardens where the summer flowers had just been planted.

My friend from Scotland was arriving this afternoon so I had to get back anyway. Bought a bottle of plonk and a baguette to go with some cheese for her arrival.

Not the most exciting of days to be honest but still good to have company. I knew my enthusiasm for visiting Paris was waning and I could have coped nicely in sunny weather but cold and dull just didn't do it for me. Long story why I am here, it just was so much more convenient to meet my friend from Scotland and hopefully tomorrow will be warmer. Maybe second day blues? (A bit early?)

I should have gone back for the warmer jumper.. My fault I was cold really.

Schnauzer
schnauzer is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2013, 08:18 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Great start! Count me in to tag along! ;^)
ParisAmsterdam is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2013, 09:47 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 29,541
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, great start. More please!
TDudette is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2013, 10:43 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 10,265
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Hi schnauzer, great report. I'll be following along.
Leely2 is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2013, 11:45 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 23,773
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 1 Post
Well, the MK2 operation Cinema Paradiso starts at the Grand Palais tomorrow...
kerouac is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2013, 04:26 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Looking forward to reading this! We will be in the Aveyron and Dordogne in September, so this is especially interesting to us! Thanks for posting.
kansas is offline  
Old Jun 10th, 2013, 06:53 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Great start! I'll be following along, for sure - you're staying in my favorite arrondissement, too.
YankyGal is offline  
Old Jun 10th, 2013, 08:01 AM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,896
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I always enjoy traveling with you, Schnauzer. Thanks for allowing us to come along!
Trophywife007 is offline  
Old Jun 10th, 2013, 09:24 AM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry for the cold, rainy weather, but very much vicariously enjoying the trip.....
socialworker is offline  
Old Jun 10th, 2013, 10:41 AM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 23,773
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 1 Post
At least the drive-in at the Grand Palais will remain safe from the rain.
kerouac is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -