Train to Amiens and Car to Pozieres

After all the stair climbing, walking and bike riding it was nice to have a transit day. We caught the train to Amiens where we picked up our hire car and headed to Butterworth Farm at Pozieres our home for the next 6 nights. We stayed here 4 years ago so it was lovely to return. 

Bill with an old soldiers helmet.

Some of the old WW1 stuff found lying around the farm.

We went for a walk around Pozieres to get our bearings. Hard to comprehend that this now quiet peaceful landscape was the scene of so much mud, death and destruction. More Australians died in Pozieres than anywhere else. It is very moving that the French in these areas are so respectful and dedicated to making sure that the sacrifice and loss of life is never forgotten.

Paris Observatory

We had finally worked out the best route with bike lanes and bus lanes so headed back across town to the Paris Observatory to meet Francois, a contact Bill had through CAS back in Canberra. He kindly showed us around the building built in 1660 then took us up to the dome and we got to see Saturn and Mars through a 9 metre 150 year old telescope. The view of Saturn was amazing, Bill said the best view he had ever seen. There were also drinks and nibbles afterwards on the roof top with lovely night views of Paris it was a real privilege. Tired little vegemites after all our  riding and stair climbing, just made it to bed before the pumpkin hour!

Pantheon

After some lunch and a short rest we were back on our bikes again riding across town to the Pantheon, I narrowly missed a bus by literally centre mites which got the heart racing. I think Bill has walked and ridden more in the last two days than he had in the last 3 months. Pantheon is an amazing building and we did the Panoranic Tour which took us up the top which gave us spectacular views and more steps to climb. 

Velib Biking Around Paris

We used the Paris bike share system and rode around Paris, with only two days in Paris it was a great way to get a good overview of the city. The drivers are very accepting of the bikes, we didn't quite get up the courage to ride like the locals though! We headed down to the Seine, past the Lourve and through the gardens to the Eiffel Tower. Then we walked up to the Arc de Triomphe and climbed to the top for an awesome view of Paris and to watch the crazy traffic before catching the Metro back to our hotel.

Paris

Monday was cool and damp but just drizzly we enjoyed just soaking up the atmosphere. 

At Notre Dame we were able to walk straight in, a few hours later there was a massive line!

It turns out our 2 days in Paris overlapped with Bill's cousin Jocelyn and her husband Steve. We spent the afternoon with them and had a lovely time. We went to the Promenade Plantee which is an elevated garden walk along a disussed railway track. It was lovely and great views of the streetscape of Paris

Europe Here We Come

Last year Bill turned 60 I suggested we do a Sydney Harbour Bridge climb to celebrate the occasion but he said that was too expensive! Several weeks later he came back with the suggestion to visit the Battlefields of the Somme as 2016 is the 100 year anniversary of the commencement of the battles of the Western Front, so here we are. Not sure though that it is cheaper than a bridge climb. We flew to Paris where we have just spent two nights .

We started by just wandering down the streets to the Seine and following the little  streets and alleys,

This is Des Voges Square were Victor Hugo lived.

Melbourne Trip via Lakes Entrance

Amy had a couple of appointments in Melbourne last week, we drove down and stayed with my mum so it was nice to catch up. We left Monday after lunch and stayed overnight in Lakes Entrance to break up the trip. It was nice to go down a different way. You go through Cooma, Bombala, Cann River, Bairnsdale, some nice forested areas. We had a nice stay in Lakes Entrance, had some nice local seafood for dinner, always nice to see the water as well. We drove home via the Hume Highway, easy driving with double lane highways almost all the way. Countryside was certainly looking lovely and green!