Day 19: Au Revoir et Merci Paris,

It's our last day in Paris, so we have had a semi quiet day as we or should I say Sandy has packed our suitcases, but not before some ironing of clothes that were about to get packed?

Our goal today was to try Escargot, surprisingly quite tasty, although after looking at the close up photo it doesn't look that good. Apparently they were giant snails, we went for 6 between us and they came with their own snail extraction utensils, tongs to hold the shells and a 2 pronged fork to get the little suckers out. We liked to think we were doing the gardens of Paris a favour by getting rid of these pests.

Snails down and then it was fish with best ever mash.... Delicious. With every meal they serve about a half a baguette, I think I'm addicted, there is something about a fresh French baguette that says eat me, something my taste buds will miss and my waistline ( if I had one) won't.

We have seen so much of Paris but yet so little. We did not end up at any museums although we walked past them several times, I am unsure if I feel I should have gone because "that's what you do" when in Paris, but we walked and looked, we had a fantastic day tour around " our" neighbourhood. We learnt so much about Champagne, and fast trains that send you to sleep at the drop of a hat. We cruised on the Seine and ate at the Eiffel Tower, we explored inside passages and dined with the locals. We have even had some time to relax. So tonight we celebrate our time in Paris with a visit to Stohrer. ( I have been waiting all week for this).

And believe me it was worth waiting for.

The people of Paris have been nothing but friendly and hospitable and I wonder if the more effort you put in the better the reward, I mean honestly our French is crap and we now probably have 10 words in our repertoire instead of the 2 we began with but we have tried and we have always been polite, and we have recieved the same in return. 

Our appartment is incredible and we would always come back here, google Key2Paris if you are interested.

And what better way to finish it off but by seeing the google street view car, so here's hoping that next time I google map Rue Ettienne Marcel in Paris there is a picture of me taking a picture of the car.

Rome you have a lot to live up too.

Day 17: Its the Bubbles of Nothing That Make it All Something.

I It was champagne day today, so we were  up at 6am, so we could be on the train to Reims for 8. We arrived in Reims just before 9, I was expecting a small French village but instead it was a large town/city. We had a morning tour to Haute Villiers ( a beautiful little village on a hillside ) to the Dom Perignon vineyards and also 2 small champagne houses, we learnt how the champagne is made and also got to taste some. 

The highlight for me was the sabreage, getting to take the top off the bottle of champagne with a large sabre, much easier than I anticipated and I can't wait to try it again at home, just need a very large knife!! 

Dom Perignon was watching over our every move. We also went to the Abbey where he is buried. A fantastic morning, we learnt so much and it went so so quick.

We got dropped off in the centre of Reims at 1 pm, which was a good thing, because the tastings weren't small, so lunch was very much in order. We both ordered Croque Monsieur ( ham and cheese toastie), and some fries, which Sandy seasoned quite generously with pepper, her way of portion control perhaps???

We didn't have time to eat them anyway as we were running late ( and couldn't stop sneezing) for our Veuve Cliquot tour. Very similar information to this mornings tour apart from the storage in 24 kms of chalk tunnels.

French Word of The Day: Crayere: this is the name of the chalk tunnels that were initially mined for many buildings, but is now used to house leading champagnes, as  they are a constant 12 degrees.

Tour over and more tastings and it was time to leave to make the 5.15 train back to Paris. The train was fantastic and it was 1st Class all the way... none of this economy stuff for us... 

We are up on the 2nd level and it is obvious how much my French has improved, as here I am reading the train magazine which was completely French. 

I don't think I have mentioned before how fast these trains go but if you have a look in the top left corner you will see the speed.

It did reach 330 kms/ hr but even at 296km/hr the G Forces where too great for Sandy to keep her eyes open....( sorry if the picture misled you into thinking she was sleeping).

All in all another fantastic day in France., 2 more to go.