Today was planned to be a rest day! After catching a bug on the Trafalgar Tour - nicknamed 'The Bourdeaux Bark', I have found that my sensitivity to dust in carpets has been exasperated by our old world room which has carpet, curtains and walls covered in matching fabric. I have needed to acquire some medication to prevent my asthma from taking grip. Unable to get it from Australia, via a script I found I was able to buy it at a local pharmacy allbeit very expensive at 64euro for a drug which would cost $25AUST. Not to worry when you need it you will pay anything. Walked to La Fayette / Printemps for a shopping fix where I added 2 hats to my collection. While at Printemps we tried to catch a bus that would take us to Parc des Buttes Chaumont, a very large park in hilly terrain north east of Paris. Stuart was very disheartened that we could not find the right bus stop, so we returned to our hotel. The concierge suggested we take the Metro (underground rail). After buying our tickets (no easy feat) and travelling on 3 different lines to reach the park - Stuart then read out the description of our intended walk and the word 'strenuous' immediately sent me into terror. The proposed 90 minute walk around the park was immediately adjusted and I literally felt as if I had ascended and descended Mt.Everest. It was a lovelly park with suspension bridges, many steps, grotto, lakes and hills! Felt good returning to the hotel again after conquering the Metro for the return trip!
He said:
After doing more shopping at La Fayette Printemps at cosy to hot temperatures, we had a nice, relatively economic lunch. We set off to catch the number 26 bus to 'Parc des Buttes Chaumont'. After fruitless searching for a No 26 bus, we drudged back to the hotel.
The concierge convinced Sandra that the Metro trains were very good, we set off for the park. A relatively quick, x 3 trains trip found at the right train station for the Parc. The three huge flights of steps up out of the station did not assist Sandra's anticipation for the Parc. After starting to read the tour instructions for the Parc walk and being 'stopped' at the word 'strenuous', the instructions were dispensed with. After loosing the path and retracing our steps we obviously tripped around the 'fountain gate' end of the Parc. However, perserverence and my inate sense of direction eventually uncovered what the Parc Buttess Chaumont is reknown for (phew!!).
The photographs speak for themselves!!
The metro is very good and very regular. We only had to stand once in the six train changes but didn't have to wait more than 3 minutes for a connecting train.
Sandra was a little tired, but perked up over a Starbuck's decaf.
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