Learning To Swim

августа - сентября 2019

One year ago...
A-'So, what would you like to do to celebrate your 50th?'
S-'I would love to sit at a cafe in Paris and watch the world go by',
'and you?'
A-'I'd love to go to the Greek islands and party'
S-'We should just do it'
A-'Yessssssss' Читать далее

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Путешественник Learning To Swim
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- среда, 17 июля 2019 г., 23:37
- ⛅ 8 °C
- Высота: 23 м
- Австралия Pakenham -38.075518, 145.48525138°4’32” S 145°29’7” E
Home
17 июля 2019 г., Австралия ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
One Month countdown begins.
ПутешественникWoohoo
17.07.2019Ответить
ПутешественникNot long now ! I still think you need to take a photographer with you to document your trip
17.07.2019Ответить
ПутешественникYippee!!!
17.07.2019Ответить
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Путешественник Learning To Swim
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- суббота, 10 августа 2019 г., 08:50
- 🌧 7 °C
- Высота: 22 м
- Австралия Pakenham -38.07428, 145.4865538°4’27” S 145°29’12” E
One week to go!!
10 августа 2019 г., Австралия ⋅ 🌧 7 °C
We've got all our tickets, thanks Amanda. The Louvre is booked. Now to pack.

It's 41 degrees in Athens today ☀. Freezing cold in Melbourne 🌨.

Athena is checking out the rooftop bars in Athens and an Irish pub in Venice, so we'll be right for a drink or two.
Time to buckle down and get my shit together 😱Читать далее
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Let the Adventure Begin! So Exciting. Paris here you come :)
15.08.2019Ответить
ПутешественникWishing you both an amazing holiday, Cheers Amanda xx
15.08.2019Ответить
ПутешественникThanks Amanda for all your help. I know this trip will be amazing because of you xx
22.08.2019Ответить
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Путешественник Learning To Swim
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- День 2
- воскресенье, 18 августа 2019 г., 19:30
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Высота: 61 м
- Франция Eglise Saint-Hilaire 48.84877, 2.3478948°50’56” N 2°20’52” E
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In a Paris cafe eating onion soup!
18 августа 2019 г., Франция ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
So thankful to arrive at Charles De Gaulle at 3.00PM. Baggage took a while. Our transfer taxi was lovely.

Overcast and a humid 23 degrees in Paris today. Our hotel is Le M Saint Germain.
The room is perfect and the first thing I see is a balcony, my favourite thing in any hotel. I step out amongst the zinc roofs and look out onto those fabulous sandstone buildings. Am very thankful. Paris is gorgeous.

Athena spies a lovely gift from Amanda (our travel agent, such a blessing, go see her at Berwick Travel) Colourful French macaroons. They were great with a tea, thanks Amanda.

After a much needed shower and mobile charge, we head out for a stroll towards the Seine.

I spy the Pantheon at the end of our street so we head up that way. I discover we are walking the wrong direction, whoops 🤭 The Notre Dame is the other way!! We stroll past beautiful cafes full of diners and head back for the river. The streets are full of tourists.
The Notre Dame is closed off and we see the fire damage and works being done. Grateful that we had both already visited inside four years ago. We were shocked when we heard the news.

We walk up to Saint Chappel church and Athena looks longingly at a beautiful restaurant. So, we take a table, order onion soup and a 'chardy' and settle in.
Half way through dinner, I realise that, this is it! Sitting outside a beautiful Paris cafe, watching people walk by, drinking wine with my beautiful friend! This was my absolute wish for my birthday.
Dream big I say, with some effort, they come true!Читать далее
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Путешественник See our tired feet at the bottom??
18.08.2019Ответить
ПутешественникHaving a Carrie Bradshaw moment ...wishing I was there to soak up the French cuisine. Hope they didn't put too much garlic in the French onion soup! While I'm at home listening to the kids bang pots while they put the dishes away, click click ..click click where's my Dorothy shoes to send me off on a adventure !! I want pictures of the crossiants ..Chau Chau for now 😘
18.08.2019Ответить
ПутешественникYes Pete, I thought of Carrie too ☺ I love this city. I love French signposts-the Rue blah, blah, blah!
18.08.2019Ответить
ПутешественникYour in Paris, how exiting! Magnifque 😀
22.08.2019Ответить
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Путешественник Learning To Swim
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- День 2
- воскресенье, 18 августа 2019 г., 19:35
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Высота: 42 м
- Франция Île de la Cité 48.85516, 2.3459548°51’19” N 2°20’45” E
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The French Restaurant
18 августа 2019 г., Франция ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Well our onion soup came and it was devine. Chewy baguette bread and some frittes 🥖 Sitting there I realised that I was doing exactly the thing I wanted to do to celebrate my 50th. A year ago I said it as a joke, but then if you want it bad enough you can make it happen. We basically got piddled and went back to the hotel for some overdue sleep zzzzzЧитать далее
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ПутешественникI love it!! I probably would be walking around with my purple hair saying ..I can't believe I am in Paris, hopefully by the time I'm 50 I can also realise a dream I've had since I was 18, France, Ireland, Germany . I've just finished yelling at the kids to get off the iPad and unload the dishwasher and then I looked at these pictures and day dream ...sigh sigh enjoy kicking your heels up girls ..look forward to the next update 😍
19.08.2019Ответить
délicieuse
22.08.2019Ответить
Taxi!
22.08.2019Ответить
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Путешественник Learning To Swim
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- День 3
- понедельник, 19 августа 2019 г., 10:23
- ☀️ 18 °C
- Высота: 50 м
- Франция Île de la Cité 48.85478, 2.3455148°51’17” N 2°20’44” E
The Lady and the Unicorn
19 августа 2019 г., Франция ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Woke at 5.00am, so not too bad. Breaky in hotel. The bread is devine. Salami and cheeses.

Off to Musee du Cluny to see the medieval tapestries The Lady and The Unicorn. They depict the 5 senses along with desire. Massive red and dark wall hangings filled with millefleur and forest animals. Loved this so much. Read the novel and it's Harry Potters common room. So beautiful. The lighting is dark to keep from fading.

We get to the museum just at opening time, bonus.
The first room we enter is an old bath house. Massive empty room with a few statues and items from the era. A copper bathtub sits at one end. Loved this room. Next we check out a room full of jewellery and medieval artwork. I come across a golden rose. It looks to be important, so I take a photo. I may sit still one day and learn about it. But not now.

We look at other tapestries leaving the best til last.
Then we enter 'The' room. It is quiet, dark, black with a crimson glow from these magnificent tapestries.
I am beguiled and take my time to investigate each one.

Loving this so much. Finding treasures that you never think you will ever see. Then here you are in front of them. Always blows me away.
I love this because it is like time travel.
I imagine the pressure and artistry it takes.

The intricate flowers are devine. The bunnies and birds whimsical.

Even Athena says she really enjoyed seeing them.

Bucket list tick ✅Читать далее
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ПутешественникLove the room. Love the balcony.
19.08.2019Ответить
ПутешественникHey, I really have to learn not to hit that 'Enter' button before I have finished speaking! Love it all. It is so FRENCH. Wonderful walking ( even the wrong way ... sometimes the best things happen when you do that.) wonderful Lady and The Unicorn. Wonderful place to eat and drink. Great first day in Paris. Have a ball, ladies. OK ..... now .... 'Enter'.
19.08.2019Ответить
ПутешественникThere you go.
19.08.2019Ответить
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Путешественник Learning To Swim
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- День 3
- понедельник, 19 августа 2019 г., 11:02
- ⛅ 19 °C
- Высота: 48 м
- Франция La Sainte Chapelle 48.85542, 2.3449948°51’20” N 2°20’42” E
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Saint Chapelle
19 августа 2019 г., Франция ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Lots of young hot gendarme around. Bit distracting to Athena and I !!

Saint Chapelle sits opposite Notre Dame. We walk up the winding staircase and I turn to watch Athena's face as we enter the chapel room. Oh wow she exclaims.
Inside the cathedral walls are all devine, set in stained coloured glass columns. Such a pretty thing to behold. Breathtaking and peaceful.

Although it was packed we didn't feel squashed. Whenever the din got loud, a voice over the loud speaker all told us to hush please in French.

On our exit we passed down the tight spiral staircase worn slippery smooth over time. Athena became quite petrified making her way downward on the steeped steps. She regained her composure once out in the courtyard faced with the handsome, tight bummed youthful gendarmes.Читать далее
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Путешественник Wow! So spectacular.
22.08.2019Ответить
ПутешественникGiggle, quick google of gendarme meaning and giggle some more! I thought the bartender may have had the same reaction and distracted you both from your onion soup! 😘
22.08.2019Ответить
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Путешественник Learning To Swim
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- День 3
- понедельник, 19 августа 2019 г., 13:25
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Высота: 66 м
- Франция Trocadéro Gardens 48.86388, 2.2908848°51’50” N 2°17’27” E
The Big Bus Tour
19 августа 2019 г., Франция ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
We head toward Notre Dame where lies the pick up point for our Big Bus city tour.
Up on top with sunshine beaming down and wind in our hair, we head through the Paris streets following the Seine. The trees wacking the bus top wasn't something I expected!

We passed museums I'd visited and stunning parks. Heading up the Champs-Elysees toward the Arc de Triomphe where we were planning to get off but someone mentioned having a picnic at the Eiffel tower and the Arc was bypassed. Armed with a baghette jambon sandwich and a coke, we squatted barefoot on the grass at the Trocodaro view point of the tower.

Kids laughing and blowing bubbles, fountains spraying cool water in the air and people sprawled across the lawns. This is the life hey Pete?? (We face timed Pete knowing she is a night owl).

Whilst leaving, I asked Athena to take a photo of me holding the eiffel tower 🗼 between my hands. So after much directing from her you can check out the amazing results via photos below! 😂Читать далее
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ПутешественникU funny girls ..glad you are having some fun mucking around ..yep that is the life for sure ..sigh sigh ...loving the photos look forward to the next adventure 😜
20.08.2019Ответить
ПутешественникGreat day, fabulous views and perfect photos 😀
22.08.2019Ответить
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Путешественник Learning To Swim
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- День 3
- понедельник, 19 августа 2019 г., 23:16
- ☁️ 16 °C
- Высота: 61 м
- Франция Eglise Saint-Hilaire 48.84875, 2.3478848°50’56” N 2°20’52” E
1
Galleries Lafayette and the Blue Line
19 августа 2019 г., Франция ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Up off the grass and off to catch the bus to Galleries Lafayette (the shopping centre) and I end up getting lost trying to enter The Opera Garnier. We didn't end up going in though as I thought it does not really catch my interest. Let me know if it is worthwhile please?

I asked a young female how do we get to the dome in the shopping centre. The look on her face reminded me very quickly that I am not in my own country. I forgot to speak French, can you imagine?? 😂 She pointed right then left. So off we trot. She soon enough tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the correct entry doors, which weren't where I thought she'd said.

Inside is like a massive exquisite Myer, In the middle is the glorious dome. Very pretty. Athena was impressed. We headed to the rooftop for a coffee. Go up the top, it's free, you can see all of Paris from up here.

Our Big Bus tour has a 'Blue Line' which drives around Montmartre main streets. Whilst waiting for the bus I popped into a lindt shop. Athena wasn't coming in with me until she saw them hand me a lindt ball. Then straight in behind me she followed.

Martin was our guide, he stood in front of us up the top and spoke in English. He shared all the quaint details of getting around Paris and the buildings history.

We passed the sex shops, Moulin Rouge, Nord Gare station, Sacre Couer. Great idea to sit up in the open air and be ferried around the city.

Once back at Notre Dame I decided to make sure Athena could find her way back to our hotel. I made her read a map and remember the street names to follow and cross. I pointed out any landmarks. Then shut up to let her lead. She did well mostly. She is not too great with following directions.

For dinner I spied Athena's massive hoop earrings she brought along. I asked if I could wear them (to show her how ridiculously too big they are)

So big hoop earrings on, Athena lost the plot laughing at me. She told me that they suited her as her head was bigger. She advised me she wouldn't be seen with me in public wearing them. I said ditto. So she agreed not to wear them.

We were stuffed, so to the corner restaurant for steak tatare, soup and a wine. We are eating bread constantly here. Night!Читать далее
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ПутешественникAbsolutely loving your blog, Sandra. Will be an amazing book full of all your adventures, walking, picnicing, almost grabbing that pesky Eiffel Tower in your fingertips ( priceless photos!) HOHO bus!!!! Did you hear the Champs Élysées song as you were dodging all those branches? ( I remember those!!!!)
20.08.2019Ответить
ПутешественникYou are writing so that we all feel we are with you. Wonderful job. Even getting lost with Athena.... just keep turning right, Athena. That's what I do. You are bound to end up somewhere .... and in PARIS XXXXX
20.08.2019Ответить
ПутешественникGoogle maps Athena Google maps..make sure to tag where U are staying before U leave ..then if U get lost U can always find your way back. I don't think breadcrumbs would work hahahaha...yeah Sandra maybe U could pass as jenny from the block 😁😁😁...j-lo reference haha..I was watching a doco in French last night it was quite amusing and I thought of you guys over there.. i won't tell U what it is about on this forum but when U get home 😁
20.08.2019Ответить
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Путешественник Learning To Swim
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- День 4
- вторник, 20 августа 2019 г., 11:00
- ⛅ 18 °C
- Высота: 124 м
- Франция Chessy 48.87476, 2.7854348°52’29” N 2°47’8” E
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Paris Disneyland
20 августа 2019 г., Франция ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Slow moving getting to Disneyland Parks this morning. I worked out how to catch the M train from St Michael-Notre Dame to Chatalet Halles then switch to RER B Marne de Chessy. A 45 minute trip.

We started at Walt Disney Studios.

I rushed to Ratatouille. This ride was a dodgem mouse set in a large kitchen and restaurant. We followed Remy the rat🐀around the floor whilst being chased by the chef.
Next was Crush's Coaster, where a spinning turtle shell goes for a ride on the eastern sea current. Pretty rocky roller-coaster. Like the mad mouse.

For lunch we sat at a USA themed theatre studio and had a burger. Then walked to Rockin Roller Coaster. Athena doesn't like the coasters. Me, I'm on it. But 45min wait time in line, I thought better of it.

I screamed into the Monsters Inc Scream monitors but it didn't register, only the kids with high pitched squeals did.
I hung with Sully at Boo's pink door. I take every photo opportunity.

Over to Disneyland Park. Down Main Street straight into Sleeping Beauty's castle. Lead lighting everywhere based on the classic fairytale. I just had to kiss Prince Charming!

Walked around Fantasyland. No rides for us, as kids on summer school holidays which means 100 minutes to queue.

Over to Discoveryland. (I call it Future land).
I found the best way to take a break is to watch a 3D cartoon in a cinema. Called 'Mickey' s Orchestra - Donald took Mickey's magician's hat and made a mess of things. All the Disney characters were singing their signature songs with Donald flying around. I loved it.

Next Adventureland - we line up 45 mins for Pirates of Carribean then Indiana JonesTemple of Peril just a 5min single line.

Athena was yawning and ready to leave so we head to Main Street USA. I buy a Pandora charm of the Paris castle 🏰. Athena is very tired.

Headed back to Paris on the RER rural line and was told to get off at Vincennes. We then caught metro to Chalet Halles and swapped trains for St Michael Notre Dame.

I know this means nothing to anyone, but I did very well navigating the Paris Metro system. They have a great number of rabbit warrens.
The entire time I was teaching Athena how it worked in case she needed it at some stage on her own.

For dinner we went to St Germain, my meal was not good. Horrible terrine and baked chicken, dry couldn't cut it. Athena enjoyed her third onion soup. Home at midnight xxЧитать далее
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Путешественник Magical!
24.08.2019Ответить
Путешественник l’amour ❤️
24.08.2019Ответить
Путешественник Very sparkly and you!
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Путешественник Learning To Swim
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- День 5
- среда, 21 августа 2019 г., 09:00
- ☀️ 15 °C
- Высота: 126 м
- Франция Place du Tertre 48.88636, 2.340948°53’11” N 2°20’27” E
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Montmarte
21 августа 2019 г., Франция ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Began with an early breakfast, always the first to breakfast. I think we are going by our tour 4 years ago! Slow start to Montmarte.

I have been teaching Paris train travel lessons on a daily basis here to my fellow traveller and today, after 4 days, my only student graduated. She was very pleased with her ability. And so was I. However, had she not been able to find her way back then tough shit baby, I was in the Louvre xxx.

For Montmarte we got off at Abeyss station, per advice from services. Wrong answer!! We should have got off at Sacre Couer. Our trail would have all been downhill. But it was all uphill you twit! Steep uphill steps forever! Whaaaat! This was not my plan. Luckily at the top, after 50 thousand steps lay the Place duTertre. This is the artists square. Portraits, scenes of Paris, famous icons.

I have wanted to visit here ever since I read a golden book called `Gay Paree` when I was 6 years old. It did not disappoint. I loved the buildings, the hillside views. I bought x 2 paintings. Miniature Sacre Cour and Moulin Rouge. They represent where I bought them. The artist himself lit up with a beautiful smile when he witnessed me returning to his little stall with money in hand.

I used Google maps to navigate around the cobblestone lanes to points of interest to me.

Came across the cafe used in the film Amelie. Then to Moulin Rouge. Just the outside.

Athena said to me at the end, Sandra you have a passion for Paris that I have never seen in anyone before. You just love everything this city has to offer- art, gardens, architecture, music, food, police.
My answer was yes indeed I do as I marched off to explore the Louvre all by myself!

(Obviously I asked Athena if she was OK to get to our hotel. To which she replied yes, and for the first time I believed she could actually do it on her own)Читать далее
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ПутешественникOh Sandra. Emily and I have walked up those 50,000 steps and I was horrified when a group of runners passed us. I thought they were showing off! You bought back so many memories! Saw that wall dedicated to 'Love' ... and the red light district by mistake .... and all the sights and sounds. Simply wonderful. You day sounds just perfect and the art and your purchases, perfect!
23.08.2019Ответить
Путешественник Spectacular artwork and so much meaning
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Путешественник Wow
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