WOW, we finally made it...
After a bus, and then 6 trains we are finally checked into our hotel in Angers France. It took a bit (thanks to engineering works on the London Underground) though to get here! We awoke at 5.30am to get ready (pre-packed the night before) and head down to breakfast at 6am. After breakfast, it was the bus into Heathrow for the Heathrow Express to Paddington. We did this as the Piccadilly line had the works. BUT, in Heathrow, we just missed the train and had to wait some 10 mins. Once in Paddington, it was onto the Circle Line to Oxford Circus, (change) to the Bakerloo Line to Kings Cross St Pancras. Now, as our train had long gone, I went to the ticket office expecting to have to buy new tickets. But, Frederique was such a lovely lady and must have seen my angst, reissued the tickets and waived the fee! By this stage though, we were all very SICK AND TIRED of the stairs and escalators! We boarded the train and were on our way...
Buffet Car Eurostar, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Eurostar Coach, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.Once in Paris Nord, this is where the 'fun' began... As we had (again) missed the connecting train, again I stood on the ticket office where again, tickets were reissued. And we were directed to the 'Metro' for the train to Gare Montparnasse. When we got to the platform, the train came in and it was full and the platform was fuller! We ended up literally pushing our way onto the train! Soon though, we arrived (more of those blasted stairs...) and we found our train on platform 1 & 2. Our car, though, was No. 20 and the cars started at 1 so we had a LONG walk to ours!We got in, a couple followed and there was a loud beep (twice about a second apart) and the doors closed. The couple, the guy was seeing his girlfriend off, was stuck! But the ticket inspector understood the dilema and was not issued an ingringement notice NOR did he have to pay for the ride! Nice!! We managed to fill a section of the carriage of about 12 or so seats with our luggage and us, and was excellent!
Our own personal cabin TGV Paris Angers, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.We arrive some 90 mins later, the Hotel is opposite the station, with a full belly of a fantastic dinner. Beef casserol in a red wine sauce for me, YUMM! I am now about to go to bed as I am totally exhausted and the coference is tomorrow! I need a clear head!
Hotel De France, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Michael 1664, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
French Dinner and tired souls, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Ah you all look a little tired tonight. But what a grand experience you have had! Dinner looks very good. Jack had mussels tonight at the Charity Dinner. Oysters too! I had a bunch of different things and enjoyed it all. (burp!)
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