Chateauroux to Paris and then to London

Monday 1st October (Chateauroux to Paris)

Today was not as long a drive but it sure was scary driving around the outskirts of Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport to firstly check into the Sofitel at the airport and then return the car to Peugot. We had effectively purchased the car new on the understanding that Peugot would buy the car back at the end of our travels. For this we effectively paid around A$65 per day which is cheaper than hiring a car. I (Pam) drove and did not see anything at all of the surrounds of Paris as I was concentrating so much on the road. Garman was amazing – cannot imagine how people found their way around before. I hope whoever came up with the programme made a lot of money as it was a lifesaver. I think I would still be driving around the city trying to get to the airport without it. Beautiful sleep at the Sofitel, repacked our bags as we have to leave 2 here at the hotel while we are touring with the Kiwis, as we would be overweight otherwise.

Tuesday 2nd October (Paris to London)
Awoke to fog. All flights delayed or cancelled so down to a lovely breakfast, found out our flight would be only an hour late (supposedly) so requested a 1pm checkout for our flight at 4ish to London. Here we’ll catch up with cousin Martin, Naomi, cousin Duncan and Pat for dinner before meeting the rest of the Kiwi tour group tomorrow. Not sure how I’ll go being the only Aussie supporter with 40 All Black supporters, but I’ll do my best to keep the flag flying. N.Z. are the undoubted favourites over here and they do look very impressive. A huge number of the French support them – I guess because of their distain of the English they prefer someone in the southern hemisphere. Flight eventually took off an hour late and we arrived into Heathrow to an overcast dismal London day with light rain. We were undecided about how to get into London but we saw that the non-stop train to Paddington only took 15 minutes so, as it was peak hour and a cab would cost UKP75, we caught the train (UKP 31). What a grand “old dame” was Paddington station. Reminded me of old WW11 movies. From here we caught a taxi to the Thistle Hotel in Marble Arch. Sounds just like Monopoly type place doesn’t it. Checked into our lovely room (after Paul secured an upgrade), and met Martin and Naomi at the Glen Miller Bar for a drink. Some confusion re who was to get in touch with cousin Duncan and Pat but after a few phone calls to N.Z. to get his number this was sorted out. We did not end up catching up with them but we spoke to them on the phone and they will be at Paul’s 60th in New Zealand. Met some of the other All Black supporters who will be on tour with us and then to a wonderful old pub called the The Five Tons for dinner. Wonderful ladies and men’s toilet entrance doorways which looked like a bookcase on a massive wall. No signs where you would expect to normally see them, just signs on the floor! Very quirky! Had a great dinner of bangers and mash. Back to the hotel and watched our first TV for a while because it was in English. It’s interesting the things you miss and get excited about.

Wednesday 3rd October (London)

Woke up at 8.30am which was 9.30am Paris time. It seems to be getting later each day although we never go to bed until 11.30 or 12.00 so I guess it is to be expected. Had lovely smorgasbord breakfast and after a fairly slow start, Pam went off to the shops. We are only 50 metres from Oxford Street so Pam was in her element. Paul had some emails and business to catch up on so stayed at the hotel. We met up at Selfridges cafeteria for lunch where we had a couple of “salt beef”, or corned beef as we know it, on Rye sandwiches with mustard. The corned beef is warm and they cut it and make a very generous sandwich as you order it. Two sandwiches a drink of water and a mango smoothie cost UKP20 or $A45. Nothing is cheap in London. More shopping after lunch and Paul went back to hotel to finish business/emails, to read the paper and for a bit of R & R. (It has been such a busy day). Being away for such a long time we organised for the mail to be sent to Natalie and if there are any bills to pay she emails the details to us and then I use internet banking to pay them. It really is a global environment when you get a bill in Australia receive details in the UK and the physically pay the bill in the UK from a bank in Australia. We all met in the Glen Miller lounge for a few sherbets and to meet a few more arrivals then, Pam and I had dinner at the hotel, made arrangements for touring tomorrow, watched a bit more TV, updated the blog and bed at 11.45 after ringing James our grandson to sing him happy 2nd birthday.