Europe Summer 2008 - Limoux

And from Paris, we take the train right through the country, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Carcassonne, and finally get to our July 'home' in Limoux. How do you describe heaven on earth? This little, quiet (but not sleepy) french village, with hundreds of years of history - breathtaking scenery of the vineyards, churches, bridges over the River Aude - a sense of permanence and pride in their welcome, the residents here have made us feel very welcome! Janet and I are using our french everyday - most of it is decipherable! Quel joie! Quel ville!

The winery just down the road from our villa - a daily visit to pick up their wonderful blanquette - sparkling white wine - which is made here. We found a bottle waiting for us in our villa when we arrived.

View from the kitchen window - Jen watering the lavendar and honeysuckle in the garden - missing Qualicum gardens...

Down the narrow, gorgeous streets - all with 3 or 4-story high buildings, with painted shutters, towards the village square, La Place De Republiques.

The statue in the centre of the square, et une biere pour les visiteurs...

They left a shopping bag for us, as we shop everyday for the unbelievable tasting local cheeses and sausage - 15 minute walk from the villa into the village.

Our first dinner a villa! Sante!


Looking out the kitchen window to the back garden and courtyard where we sunbathe!

Fresh baguette - can you say 'heaven'?

Standing on the pont vieux over the River Aude

With a long 'honk' in the morning, we race to the bottom of the drive to catch the boulangerie truck - door to door service of fresh baguette, pain and sweetbreads.... just in time for coffee!

Down another street in Limoux to the village square - on the right is where Meg got her haircut - very francais!

And now, on the train from Paris to Limoux, where we will spend most of summer - with trips planned to Spain and Italy coming up!

Sante!

Toasting our 'legal' daughter in France! (found out later that the legal drinking age is actually 18 here - was 16 last year.... - ah well, Sarah wasn't crazy about the red wine anyways...!)

Arriving at Gare de Limoux, we made it!

Train travel is our favourite way to travel and see the country around us! Very comfortable train from Paris to Carcassonne.

Our fearless travel companions!

Grapes anyone?

Vineyards as far as the eye can see, blue skies, and the occasional 10th century castle mixed in for good measure...

Bob at the boulangerie truck - Pierette is her name!

Front of our villa, Les Lauriers, (the laurels)

Bienvenue @ Limoux!

Europe Summer 2008 - Paris

And off we go to Paris! We took the train from London to Dover - the white cliffs! The ferry ride was wonderful - great food, very comfortable! Arrived in Calais in under two hours, and then the train to Paris to find the hotel that Janet had booked for us all. What a trip! Sarah and Bob figured out the Metro, and we hauled all 17 bags through the Paris underground - to our hotel on rue Gay Lussac, by the Luxembourg Gardens.

What a city! At every turn, another breathtaking sight- from Notre Dame, and on to the Louvre, then the Arc de Triomphe, and finally, the Eiffel Tower, where we stayed until dusk. Paris lives up to all of the hype - truly incredible - MUST go back and spend some more time!


View from the Eiffel Tower

Champs des Mars gardens below the Tower

Jan and the cuzzies on the way UP!

The Tower at night - one of Meg's 'must sees'!

Meg in seventh heaven - what a tres jolie fille!


The mist machine below the Tower - very welcome during this hot day!
Meg - wanted to go to the top of the Tower, which was closed at the time due to heavy traffic

The lights came on at dusk, we grabbed some fries and beer, and sat below waiting for the night show!

Sun going down - at the tip of the shadow is the Luxembourg Gardens - our hotel was right there. We had all walked all day through the city - 13 hours!

View from the tower


The gang after a long walking day of the city, finally made it to the Eiffel Tower!

Can't believe we are finally here!

From below the tower - Bob's favourite shot




Bob's usually behind the camera - have to make sure we have pics of him too!

Le bon homme!

And off to the Louvre! Unimaginable beauty - literally takes your breath away! One could spend months here...

Ah, the ceilings too!!

Our fearless cartographer! Bob had no problems figuring out the Metro, bus routes, etc! Thanks to our Hong Kong life, I think!

L'Arc De Triomphe, after walking down Les Champes Elysses

Resting up - next stop, the Eiffel Tower!

We have an hour - which way to the Mona Lisa, first!

My Euro girl!

Which one is the Mona Lisa? Smaller than we thought - signs all throughout the Louvre to get to this one, very crowded spot! She is a beauty.

Bob and his Venus de Milos...

The Bates outside the Louvre

Inside the courtyard at the Louvre - beautiful weather in Paris -we were so lucky!


Meg and Sarah outside the entrance to the Louvre - the crystal pyramid from The DaVinci Code fame - they couldn't believe they were right there!

Walking along the Pont Neuf from Notre Dame to the Louvre

These artist booths are set up all along the Seine - all with postcards, and paintings of the city - had to buy some for the flat!

Above the entranceway into the Notre Dame - kings of old guarding the gateway. Incredible

One of the Stations of the Cross inside the cathedral

An amazing sight - we had to sit to take it all in. The Notre Dame truly breathes history - we felt the presence of many more souls before us.

The twins take on Paris! We only had to wait til this year to get here!

A great pizza place just down the road from our hotel in Paris. VERY welcome sight after travelling all day from Sutton Coldfield, to Dover, to Calais, and then into Paris! We got there at 10pm, and he stayed open for us - watching the World Cup soccer game on telly!

Bridge over the Seine - gorgeous sights

And off we go! The Bate and Richards families a pied!

The White Cliffs of Dover - say goodbye to England!

Arrival in Paris at the train station - NOW where do we go?

This is EXACTLY what Bob loves to do - strap on the backpack, grab the touring book, and off we go! We stopped for baguette, cheese and sausage for lunch everyday - good beer, and great views. What a city!