Category: Europe

EQ in Paris

A couple of weeks ago now- late again. But EQ’s first visit to the world renowned capital, with a contribution from mum.

Friday evening was one of those classic(cheesy?) boat trips on the Seine. But good fun and added entertainment of disagreements amongst the staff!

Eiffel goes by

RWC 2023

The World Cup is still going on. Last week was the QF round. Some disappointments in that.

But we were in Lyon for the groups stages, seeing Namibia v Uruguay and NZ v Italy.

The game between the two lesser teams was good entertainment- particularly for the first 60 minutes- until a spate of yellow/ red cards ruined the balance and momentum of the match.

The big game lacked surprise and competition. It was an All Black walkover. However, the atmosphere was good with lots of Kiwis and many Italians. Being close to Italy, Lyon has a strong Italian community related to previous migration. Also, the French locals sang their anthem powerfully.

Thanks to Raphael for picking us up after the the ABs game.

Venice

A rip to the busy city. It was packed as you would expect, but in places not as much as you might fear.

A place to walk and take the vaporetto and enjoy the scenes from the water. We did not take a gondola at 80 euros for 30 minutes!

There is the beauty of the place; including the churches and art within.

St Mark’s

Cinque Terre

Last week we were there to enjoy the scenery and the walking. Which we did- but with plenty of other people. There were so many people in the villages and on the trains in between- ir was mad. It brought back memories of Amalfi.

The walking of the coast line was hard to very hard. Part of the usual track was closed for repairs after a landslip. A big job in progress.

The train trip after, our few days, back to Milan was not a great experience. Not a great advert for Italian railways.

Milan and Figaro

As ever I am late.

The following entries will not be in chronological orfer but will give some impression of recent events and activities.

We were in Italy for a week and the final night we went to the opera at La Scala- again- 5 years on. It was the night before our long train ride from Milan to Zurich, then Paris and finally Brittany.

I wanted to see The Marriage of Figaro. Shaz tells me we saw it in Wellington- i can just remember- and apparently we were not impressed then.

Certainly not impressed this time. The production seemed bland in its setting, very traditional – not attempt to modernise and give something different. The performance was too long and not helped by the fact the surtitles did not work in our box for the first act. I think for a place like the La Scala it either wants/ or is under pressure to do it the usual way- do not rock the boat. My memories of innovation are much stronger for NZ Opera.

Oh well- just remember- no more Marriage of Figaro.

Rheinsteig

Another late posting

A weekend away 2 weeks ago with EQ.

A beautiful but in parts strenuous walking trip on the mittal Rhine following part of the Rheinsteig

Very hot weather but great views of the steep valley sides.

The stay in the castle on the first night was great. Once we had found the front door!

Not so great travel experience with Frankfurt Airport and British Airways ☹️????

London to Paris

So an extremely late post given that I arrived back home one week ago. However, better late than never and the cycling trip does deserve to be recorded.

Richard and I dis about 370 Km over the 5 days- arriving on the periphery of Paris on day 4-taking the RER in to see the city – and cycling into the centre on the morning of Day 5 to have the bikes boxed up so we could take them in the Eurostar.

Before pedalling- above.

The first day involved cycling from Ealing via Richmond Park and Wimbledon to reach the Wandle river and the NCN 20. We then followed the ‘Avenue Verte’ route. The shorter option.

The first 2 hours involved trouble with Richard’s chain coming off four times into the gap between cassette and wheel. Not easy to remove and frustrating. The was some rain so the poncho came out of the packet on day 1.

The route to the south coast is a mixed affair in terms of terrain- with some bits more like a mountain bike track and parts of the route running next to the A23!

About 110 km later we reached Brighton about 18-30; 10.5 hours duration.

Brighton was a welcome site as was the curry and beers in the closest curry houser we could find.

A rapid trip to Newhaven for about another 20Km in the dark with a gale thankfully behind us meant we made the ferry with ease. The crossing however was relatively rough- as you felt the ship ‘fall’ into the troughs.

Day 2 was Dieppe to Forges Les Eaux- along mostly a cycling route that follows an old railway line. Good quality and a gradual up all the way.

The hotel was accommodating- even as we sat drinking out pre- dinner beers in the small foyer as the other guests checked-in.

Day 3 was longer and with more rain- on an off. The countryside was simple but beautiful with lovely bus stop resting spots and a useful cafe.

We arrived in Vexin-sur- Apte to our AirBnB- our chambre d’hotes. after two consecutive punctures for me. The gas cyclinder helped!

A lovely place, we very welcoming owners who cooked for us- which they do not usually do. Lovely 3 big dogs too.

The next day we reached Paris and did the tourist thing:

The final morning we joined the rush hour traffic to cycle to the centre to get the train. It was a day of national protest against the proposed changes to the national retirement scheme. Trains and buses on strike so lots of traffic and lots of cops and closed roads near the station.

Train home, navigating the Tube with boxed bikes and panniers. All part of the fun. Great trip.