Le Mesnil-Amelot

Now in Le Puy en Velay.

What rush? AF was an hour late leaving and arriving. We feared we would miss our 9am train when we saw the queue at immigration. It was several rows, and 80m long. We went to the back and followed the arrows and were sent to a lane with an Australian flag (and a few others - NZ, Japan, UK, Canada) which snaked up the middle, with a chicane section 20m long (almost a slalom as they were 1.5m diversions every 2m) but no people, so we went to the front, put the passports on the readers and done!

Then baggage - our one checked bag ( poles, cold weather gear, extra adaptors, my clothes…) did not arrive. One always wants carry-on only, but we risked it for the poles and volume of stuff. We need to learn more from Rosie and Amr.

Anne waited at the carousel and I went to the other end of the enormous hall and a short queue for AF Baggage issues. The cheerful Mauritian who did it all was pretty good. I thought he was speaking French, but it was English with a specific accent, so once I worked that out it was also relatively quick. I was given a form, asked to check the carousel anyway because their scanners are sometimes wrong... but no joy. He also had one question for me after telling me how much he wanted to go to Australia... had I ever eaten kangaroo meat? I have since had emails and texts from AF saying they have located the bag and promising to deliver it to Le Puy soon. I am not sure what “ soon” will be. They say 24 - 48 hrs, but tomorrow is Sunday and, as the hotel receptionist here said, this is France. We are there two nights…

CDG to Lyon train left from a place a 5-6 min walk from the baggage exit. It left on the dot, went like a rocket and looked like a packed Sydney double decker train. It was also the longest passenger train I have seen - some 20 long carriages - and every seat taken (with limited luggage space and room overhead for an umbrella). It went to Montpellier, so Amr and Rosie were in our sights !

Slower train then from Lyon to St Etienne, and an even slower one to Le Puy, but all three were punctual.

Hotel (Les Capucins) is fine but basic, with bed a little narrow and soft by all known standards.

We walked around Le Puy - some cloud, cool breeze. Maybe 6 degrees. Early dinner at the only place anywhere near the hotel that was open before 7pm, which was a very good Italian. Fantastic chili sauce ( to go with a pizza, RKLC) and huge salad.

13,418 steps/ 9.8km by the app (which is a stat I doubt and will check in the next days on the measured tracks) and 21 flights of stairs.Read more