September in Paris

I didn't post last night as we were on the train heading towards Roma, I was feeling a little under par as I have caught a cold.  Half the bus was sick last week in England and now it's my turn, but feeling much better today.

Yesterday was our own mini Tour de France.  We had to meet this tour at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower, so we set out to walk from our hotel there, approx 3.2 km, but an easy walk, especially when you have the appropriate scenery..

 

  and....

So we walked along the Seine, it was a perfect day, check the sky.

This was our tour guide called Mark, from County Cork in Ireland.  The other people who worked there were mostly Australian.  Paul got himself a job too, when he put up his hand when Mark asked if anyone considered themselves a cyclist.  Paul had to ride at the back making sure everyone crossed the lights and kept up etc, which actually was quite a task if you have been to Paris and observed the way people, taxis and motorbikes drive there!

So this was our pelaton, and Mark led us around to see many of the major sights and monuments in Paris.

  Although I was a bit apprehensive at first, it was a really enjoyable ride, and quite flat and the pace was easy, except when we had to cross a major intersection with us spread across the road, shoulder to shoulder, and ride flat out across on the signal.  Helmets are optional in all the places we have been to so far.

 I'm holding my helmet and was wearing it Mum!

Only Paul and I did.  We had lunch whilst on the ride at the Jardin des Tuileries .

The ride finished and we walked back again.  On the way we stopped at a patisserie and I had my first French macaron.  Paul had pistachio flavour and I had chocolate.  They were quite different to what I have had in Australia, much firmer, and the outside shell did not collapse when you bit into it.  Super sweet and rich, but delicious.

Then it was back to the hotel to collect our luggage and catch a taxi to Gard Lyon station and catch our overnight train to Roma.  This was another new experience for us, it was actually a very comfortable way to travel, although there were no directions in English anywhere about how to check, we imagined there might be passport checks etc.  After asking it turned out you don't need to check in, you just turned up to the platform and got on.  Lucky numbers are the same everywhere .  We had a sleeper coach and the beds were really comfy, and I slept really well.  So here we are at our Rome hotel, lucky enough to have access to our room, despite it being only 11am.