Sorry about that interruption...

At last update, we were still in Paris and about to head to the South of France for our 'barge' trip down the Canal Du Midi.  All of that happened......and it was wonderful.....but we were essentially without cyber-connection for that whole time.  A little disconcerting for me, as I am addicted to cyber-connectivity.  And then I intended to update the blog as soon as we got home.....but all of those "welcome home calamities" began immediately.
On Friday (Oct-5) we boarded a train in Paris and traveled to Castlenaudery.....a beautiful little town where we would get the boat.

On Saturday, after our operation briefing, some test driving in the Grande Basin, we set uot on our journey down the canal.

Over the course of the week, we would navigate through about 40 locks on the canal.  Our first encounter out of Castlenaudery was the largest, a 4 compartment lock.

Traveling through the countryside on the canal was wonderful.  The speed limit is about 5 mph.....so with the bikes we had rented, you can ride or walk along the path by the canal.  Boats tie up anywhere and everywhere along the canal.....for a walk into a village for shopping....eating....or wine tasting.  One evening, a restaurant owner drove her car to the canal to pick us up and haul us to here restaurant for dinner.

The food, the wine and the company were superb.  We had a wonderful trip.....saw so many sights and did so many interesting things.  Always great to travel, and always great to return home.

Museums are great when it rains....

Rainy weather yesterday and this morning, so we spent most of that time in museums.  Yesterday we began at the Musee d'Orsey (which does not allow photography) and spent the morning looking at great art and decor from many periods. Then we spent the afternoon in another section of the Louvre looking at more art before a quick rest back at the apartment.

Last night we had our finest meal in Paris without doubt.  David had eaten there before and made our reservations.  There are no menu choices, the menu changes daily, and everyone is served the same meal.  Yesterday's meal was baked white fish and it was superb.

Rain again this morning, so we started our day at the Musee des Arts et Metiers (we call it the gadget museum), much like Science & Industry Museum in Chicago....all of it is very interesting.  Even the Metro stop there looks like the Nautilis with Captain Nemo from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

After lunch, the sun same out and David led us on a walking tour of the Marias and even a tour of Victor Hugo's apartment at Place Vosages.

This evening, we are attending a performance of Vivaldi by a string quartet at Sainte Chapelle.

These six days in Paris have passed so quickly.  The number of things we have been able to see in that amount of time is amazing.  Paris offers so much, you always feel like you are just scratching the surface of all that is available.

Tomorrow, we will make an early exit from this wonderful city and head to Castlnaudery to prepare for our barge trip down the Canal du Midi.

Ok....let's ride a bicycle to a castle...

Today was another great day.  We rolled out of the apartment at 6:30 this morning to catch a subway....to catch a train...to Compieane.

 At the train station in Compieane, we rendezvoused with the bicycle rental guy and picked up our bikes for the day.  Then we set out through the largest forest in France (The King's Forest) to visit the Chateau at Pierrefonds.....an honest to goodness 14th century castle.

It was like being in a Harry Potter movie....in fact....some of them were filmed in this castle.  Most of the remodeling was done by Napolean III in the 1800's.  Even Flat Stanley enjoyed the tour.

After the tour, we made the ride back on the bikes....about 26 Km today on the bicycles, then the train ride back to Paris, and another great French dinner.  Back at the apartment.....and we are whipped....have to rest fast, tomorrow is another day.

Slow down David....my feet hurt !!!

Wow....we have seen a lot of Paris in the past two days....and had a blast doing it.  We started yesterday with Garden des Plantes, King Luis XIV's herb garden.  And let me introduce you to Flat Stanley....he is a friend of our Granddaughter Amelia's class who is accompanying us on this trip.

Then off to St. Sulpice for an incredible pipe organ concert.

Next was a pass through the Market at Place Monge.....a very nice French flea market.

We then took a brief rest at the apartment, then set out in late afternoon for Montmarte and Sacra Cour area.  We walked up and down the hils, enjoyed the sunset view and had a wonderful dinner at one of the local restaurantes there.

Today's travels began with the Louvre....amazing simply by it's sheer size.  We chose to pick a few topics to view before we became brain dead.  We viewed the Dutch paintings so that we could see the Rembrandts, viewed the furnishings from Napolean's palace, and viewed the garden statuaries.

We laid low at the apartment this evening with some cheese, chicken and wine that we brought in and resting up for another big adventure tomorrow......bicycles and a castle tour.

Back to Paris....this doesn't get old....

After an all night flight across the ocean, we were glad to arrive in our apartment in Paris.  The apartment is in a nice area south of the Seine, on the 4th floor....quite roomy and comfortable for the 5 of us.....Echo & me, Anne & Wayne and David.  A view from the front window......

After recouping from the flight, we ventured out yesterday to Notre Dame,

.....Conciegre......Shakespeare's book store......and then back out last night for a wonderful French dinner in a small local restaurant.

Today's itinerary included a quick stop at a local market for some browsing and olive shopping....a trip to Napolean's Tomb....and yes, a girl actually asked us who was buried in the tomb.....tour of the museums.  Wayne & I toured the WW-I and WW-II museums while the rest toured the Medieval & Armor museum.
We saw this motorcycle....complete with parachute packaging.

Gary, you should get one of these !!

A visit to Godin's Museum on a beautiful day.....

a walk to the Eiffel Tower.....and of course a stop at a street side restaurant for some champagne and a snack before we headed back to the apartment.

Taking a break now before we set out for the evening's meal and sight-seeing.

Home Again....

Monday was a long day.  We awoke in London at 4:am.....we were at the airport and through security by 6:00......airborne by 8:15 for an 8 hour flight to Chicago.  Then after a tedious trip through the customs folks, problems getting our parking paid, and a 4 hour drive to Plainfield, we pulled into the drive about 5:00 pm Indiana time.  We are now unpacked, laundered, and almost back in this time zone.
The last day before we started back was one of our favorites, visiting Monet's gardens.  They were as stunning in person as they were in his oils.

We are already thinking of our next visit to Paris.  Paris is not the place you can go to once and say "I saw that".....it is too big and too alive......there are too many things left to see and too many things to see again.
For now though, we will catch up at home and catch up on some football, and start planning the next trip.

They're driving on the wrong side again, I must be London...

We have recovered to some degree from the bug we had. Friday afternoon we ventured out to the Arts and Meters Museum.....sort of like the Museum of science and Industry in Chicago. It was a great museum....lots of great gadgets. Yesterday we took the train out of Paris to Giverney and toured Claude Monet's house and gardens, and then explored the little towns of Giverney and Vernon. The weather was beautiful, and provided a wonderful closing day for our Week in Paris. David departed this morning for Dueseldorf (sp?) then Detroit. Echo & I took the Chunnel back to London, and we depart early tomorrow morning. What a wonderful trip this has been. Thanks to all of you for your comments and encouragement. I will post some final pictures when I get home to a more efficient net connection