Made it into Paris today...after a bitter experience with Paris traffic. Last 10km took us nearly an hour. But we're here at last, and have said goodbye to the car which has served us so well (we travelled nearly 9000k in the 3 1/2 mths). From now on it's walking and the underground (I suspect more of the latter given the kid's stamina in the heat!).
Yesterday we went to Rouen, visiting the cathedral that Monet painted and checking out the place where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. Walking around Rouen is a bit like walking through a medieval theme park - the houses are so perfect (thanks partly to a huge rebuilding/restoration effort after the war). Not that we did much walking. With Amy recovering from her illness we relented and did the incredibly tacky (but surprisingly informative) tourist train. So far no one else has caught "the bug" although we were all feeling a bit under the weather today (just tired I think as it has been full on since leaving Villelongue).
Here in Paris we are staying at the house of the French family who stayed at our place in Wgtn last year. It's a beautiful house split over 5 floors. But quite frankly after 16 days under canvas anything would seem nice! Not sure I could have done another night on the stretcher bed with the mice scurrying around and the guy snoring in the tent next door (not to mention the rooster who seemed compelled to crow at 5.30 each morning). Ahead of us is 7 days soaking up Paris. Very exciting to be back here again.
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