[Vanessa]

I love solo trips. Was thinking of going to Alicante soon. The weather is still good there at the moment.

[MTVN]

Well Paris is pretty stunning I did the Louvre yesterday and was there for nearly two hours but still feel I barely scratched the surface of it. The crowds around the Mona Lisa are mad considering how much great artwork there is in literally every other room there but I'm guilty too as I went to see it.

It's been a beautiful day in Paris and I got out early to run a 10k up and down the Seine which was pretty magical with hardly any people about. Then went to the Sacre Coeur with incredible views over the city and got inside just as they were starting a morning mass so I stayed for that. Montmartre in general is pretty lovely but I got a bit lost ending up in a dodgy bit of town.

Took a lime bike back to the centre and had a bottle of wine next to the Seine while following the afternoon football games. I'm now awaiting my steak with a glass of red before going to watch some live music

None of you asked for this but I am telling you because Paris is amazing and you should go. Tomorrow I'm going to do a bit of southern Paris in the Latin quarter and Luxembourg gardens before a nice lunch at the cafe that Hemingway used to frequent - La Closerie des Lilas

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Well Paris is pretty stunning I did the Louvre yesterday and was there for nearly two hours but still feel I barely scratched the surface of it. The crowds around the Mona Lisa are mad considering how much great artwork there is in literally every other room there but I'm guilty too as I went to see it.

It's been a beautiful day in Paris and I got out early to run a 10k up and down the Seine which was pretty magical with hardly any people about. Then went to the Sacre Coeur with incredible views over the city and got inside just as they were starting a morning mass so I stayed for that. Montmartre in general is pretty lovely but I got a bit lost ending up in a dodgy bit of town.

Took a lime bike back to the centre and had a bottle of wine next to the Seine while following the afternoon football games. I'm now awaiting my steak with a glass of red before going to watch some live music

None of you asked for this but I am telling you because Paris is amazing and you should go. Tomorrow I'm going to do a bit of southern Paris in the Latin quarter and Luxembourg gardens before a nice lunch at the cafe that Hemingway used to frequent - La Closerie des Lilas

Glad you’re having a nice trip! I’m super jealous.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by rusticgal

Eh bien, profitez-en et ne buvez pas trop de bieres...

I had all these ambitions of using my French all weekend and now all I'm saying is:

Vous parlez anglais

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

I love solo trips. Was thinking of going to Alicante soon. The weather is still good there at the moment.

flew back from there yesterday it was 29 degrees, though its an autumal sun so much more pleasant, sea swimming is still doable until end Oct, pools are just about okay

[Cherie]

There is a lovely little cosy cafe with red soft seating on the street just as you come out of the Eiffel Tower, been there on two different visits, really lovely beef bourguignon, hope its still there

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I had all these ambitions of using my French all weekend and now all I'm saying is:

Vous parlez anglais

[Cherie]

I remember using Quelle heure et il in Disneyland Paris one time ...I was so proud I could recall this phrase from school

[Ammi]

…Paris is always a good idea…it really is a fabulous vibe……

…yeah, there is a huge contrast between something like the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam…(…which has quite an intimate feel with the paintings and how close we can get to them…)…and the Louvre, where they feel so ‘distanced and formal’ …but it still holds that magic to go and see them and feel their age and their importance …there is so much to see in the Louvre, not just with the paintings and the artwork but the general opulence of old Louis and those back in the day times…

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I had all these ambitions of using my French all weekend and now all I'm saying is:

Vous parlez anglais

…and are the locals speaking English with you…?…

[Cherie]

I had a day and night to myself this holiday once the gals left, Mr C was not due until the following day....it was bliss, went to the beach, had dinner out, went home watched TV and went to bed early....

[Ammi]

…MTVN, do you think that you would ever do anything like a pilgrimage…/…like the Camino de Santiago route for instance, is that something you would do…?…

[rusticgal]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I had all these ambitions of using my French all weekend and now all I'm saying is:

Vous parlez anglais

Google translate is brilliant…


….although I did understand what you said but I needed help to reply…

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Cherie

There is a lovely little cosy cafe with red soft seating on the street just as you come out of the Eiffel Tower, been there on two different visits, really lovely beef bourguignon, hope its still there

Sounds very charming, I'd like to confirm it's existence but I have not seen it yet!

Originally Posted by Ammi

…Paris is always a good idea…it really is a fabulous vibe……

…yeah, there is a huge contrast between something like the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam…(…which has quite an intimate feel with the paintings and how close we can get to them…)…and the Louvre, where they feel so ‘distanced and formal’ …but it still holds that magic to go and see them and feel their age and their importance …there is so much to see in the Louvre, not just with the paintings and the artwork but the general opulence of old Louis and those back in the day times…

Oh yeah the Napoleon III apartments are incredible for the luxury and opulence of the whole rooms, truly of their time

Originally Posted by Ammi

…and are the locals speaking English with you…?…

Generally yes! Impressed as ever by the ability of other nationalities to speak English and actually I've found everyone incredibly polite and friendly

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Ammi

…MTVN, do you think that you would ever do anything like a pilgrimage…/…like the Camino de Santiago route for instance, is that something you would do…?…

Yeah I would like to do that actually, I always really like the BBC Pilgrimage series and seems like people always get something out of it no matter their creed or belief

Never fully looked into it though

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Cherie

I had a day and night to myself this holiday once the gals left, Mr C was not due until the following day....it was bliss, went to the beach, had dinner out, went home watched TV and went to bed early....

Sounds perfect. Hemingway says:

When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be
happiest. The only thing that could spoil a day was people and if you could keep from
making engagements, each day had no limits. People were always the limiters of
happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Sounds very charming, I'd like to confirm it's existence but I have not seen it yet!



Oh yeah the Napoleon III apartments are incredible for the luxury and opulence of the whole rooms, truly of their time



Generally yes! Impressed as ever by the ability of other nationalities to speak English and actually I've found everyone incredibly polite and friendly

It was on quite a busy street so say you are on the river side of the Eiffel Tower facing the river walk to the left and it was on the left not far down the street... comfortable little booths and dark inside, think there were steps down to it ..hope its still there

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Yeah I would like to do that actually, I always really like the BBC Pilgrimage series and seems like people always get something out of it no matter their creed or belief

Never fully looked into it though

…there is also a movie called The Way with Martin Sheen who travels the El camino de Santiago, which is a pilgrimage that’s on my bucket list and one of my sons is going to do it with me…but he lives overseas so trying to find a time that’s good for both of us isn’t easy…I think…(…for me…)…it’s more of a spiritual thing and would be a spiritual experience, rather than something attached to religion and many of us are spiritual, whether we actively follow a religion or not…

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Ammi

…there is also a movie called The Way with Martin Sheen who travels the El camino de Santiago, which is a pilgrimage that’s on my bucket list and one of my sons is going to do it with me…but he lives overseas so trying to find a time that’s good for both of us isn’t easy…I think…(…for me…)…it’s more of a spiritual thing and would be a spiritual experience, rather than something attached to religion and many of us are spiritual, whether we actively follow a religion or not…

Ohh thanks for the recommendation, I will check it out.

Yeah I love from the BBC series how a pilgrimage like that has something to offer to every person and is so unique to that person - no one will have the same experience. And so many people are yearning for some sort of spiritual solace or understanding but don't know where to find it.

I hope you get to do it soon and when you do you can give me some tips

[Cherie]

Bon jour, comment allez vous MTVN

[MTVN]

Tres bien! Mais il pleut a Paris aujord'hui

Slightly sore head this morning after watching some great music last night. Still got out early and did a bit of sightseeing around Montparnasse but I fly later so won't be doing too much more. Currently enjoying a cheeky beer before going for some lunch

[Kate!]

@MTVN @Cherie

Really glad you both had such excellent times it's nice to hear about your travels and experiences. Well jel! Xx

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Tres bien! Mais il pleut a Paris aujord'hui

Slightly sore head this morning after watching some great music last night. Still got out early and did a bit of sightseeing around Montparnasse but I fly later so won't be doing too much more. Currently enjoying a cheeky beer before going for some lunch

Quand il pleut, il pleut

safe journey home

[bots]

I speak perfect <insert appropriate language> after a few beers