Second Update, Dimanche 26 Mai
Bonjour mes amis. Writing this from another idyllic although somewhat different campsite on the shores of Lake Annecy. Arrived here from Paris yesterday (which we left after 2 days of unseasonable temperatures). The headline of one of the national papers declared that it was the coldest Spring since 1887!!! Trust us, but anyway....
The last few days have been busy, cutting all the boys’ hair,
teaching a french lesson, a day in Eurodisney, a day in Paris and finally a nine hour slog south to Annecy in the hope of some slightly warmer weather.
The children were so excited when we told them we were heading to Eurodisney, although ironically enough not as excited as they were when we told them about Legoland!! Even on our way to the park, the beautifully manicured lawns, immaculate flower beds and perfectly trimmed trees showed that you were on your way to Disney.
We arrived in the gigantic carpark and went whizzing into Bay A (much joy) and proceeded to the entrance (up a moveable walkway like they have at the airport!!). From there we got our bags searched, not for dangerous objects but in case you were carrying any contraband ie the illicit picnique with you!!) Yes, it was forbidden to take a picnique into Eurodisney! Fortunately they didn’t spot our meagre box of wraps, Prince biscuits and yoghurts under our waterproofs (hoorah).
We did have a great day although the weather was awful; heavy showers including large hailstones, strong winds and it was really, really cold, but waterproofed up we went on all the rides; Peter pan, Pirates of the Caribbean – which was fab, buzz lightyear lazer blast, haunted manor, small world and Kev and Ben ventured onto Space Mountain (oh so brave!) We had a meeting with Mickey Mouse (where Ben high-fived him so hard I don’t know if he’ll be able to wave again), Ariel – Amy loved it and Captain Jack Sparrow, Ben’s favourite. Came away feeling a little like we’d visited the perfect town out of Shrek, but glad we went and lots of fun.
On Friday we decided to head into the centre of Paris and given the inclement weather do a spot of sight-seeing from the car. Armed with our Tom-Tom (I’ll hold my hands up and admit that A. I’m never the best map reader, B. we’re in France where the maps are impossible to read even if you can map read and C. we were about to endeavour to go into Paris in our own car) we set off on our voyage of discovery. Soon we were passing Notre Dame, the Louvre, Musee D’Orly and so much more. It was fantastic to be able to point out so many landmarks and all were very excited to see la Tour Eiffel looming up from behind the plane trees. I took so many snaps as we were driving along: beautiful buildings, elegant doorways, street signs, a bride walking up some steps of an inner chapel parallel to the road.
We managed to get a park down one of the boulevards beside the Eifel Tower (7 Euros for 2 hours I thought was pretty good value considering!) Off we set, again in our waterproofs to admire this fine piece of French engineering. Then the heavens opened, the hailstones fell, the wind blew and we huddled under a shelter until the squall had passed. Fortified with a baguette sandwich, the children set out with more purpose. We decided in the usual Gelling way that no, to take the lift up the tower would be far too easy and where would be the adventure in that! so with promises of the wonderful view we would see oh and perhaps a chocolate bar once they descended, we set off up the many steps. We reached the first platform without too many complaints and the views over Paris were stunning, up to Mont Matre, over the Seine... Having taken lots of photos we headed up to the 2nd tier, Ben in the lead setting the pace, Tom and Daddy in the middle and Ames and I at the back. Amy was finding the height a little daunting, as was I but didn’t want to fuel her concerns! Kev and I were very proud of them when we finally reached the top and very happy when we were all back at ground level again.
Yesterday was a long slog south, mostly on the paeages so unfortunately you don’t get to see a great deal of France but after “Alvin and the chipmunks 2” and “Short Circuit”, I don’t know how we used to do these long haul journeys without killing each other (oh yes, we did, that’s right) we arrived at Doingt, between Annecy and Abbeville. The clouds were quite low over the mountains on our arrival, but around 8 they broke to show the most spectacular panorama.
We are not that far below the snowline (the campsite owner says that she hasn’t seen snow lying this late in the 20 years that she’s been here) and so the temperature drops considerably at night but it is so stunning. We went out for a cycle along the cycle path that runs along our side of the lake today. The leaves were that bright spring green and the fields were full of mountain flowers. Sorry, waxing lyrical now, but it was just lovely. Even an ever hopeful grasshopper was making a noise!
Now out of English gas – cooking dinner for 5 on one hot plate isn’t that much fun, but managed to produce sausage, mashed potatoes and peas so all went to bed with full tummies. Kev’s just come in from down-loading his latest internet stuff (we’re too far up the hill in the site to be able to have continuous wi-fi!) and he’s frozen. Anyway, signing off for now. Night Night, xx
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