Day 12 - back to London

Last couple of days before the big flight home. I bought a ticket on one of the 24-hour sights of London bus. It was a great way to see where everything is. I had a good couple of hours at Harrods (this is a great effort for me as I am not a great shopper).

Beautiful cakes

Children's designer shoes

Star Wars guards at the toy shop entry - 

and then Christmas world

I walked around the Parliament precinct, heard Big Ben chime and checked out the Supreme Court building which was having an open day.

I also visited the V&A which is absolutely amazing. One would need to spend weeks to see all of the really wonderful artworks and antiques. Fabulous.

And finally a last photo on the way back to the Hotel, a very patient horse guard.

Day 11 - Paris

We set off early for the Eiffel Tower bit were held up as a result of last night's storm which had done some damage to the platform.

Next our local guide took us to Notre Dame. Mass was being celebrated while we were there but we were still able to go in.

Our local guide walked us around the Latin Quarter which is named because the Romans lived in this area when they ruled Gaul. 

This tree with so many supports is said to be at least 200 years old.

When this tour was finished I went back to Notre Dame to meet Ann. We had a lovely time walking and talking and she showed me some places that the locals like to relax in. The first place we went to was Shakespeare and Co, a bookshop that I have always wanted to visit. It is quite amazing, full of wonderful old books, secret corners and comfy chairs, where you can sit down and read the books.

A lovely quiet square.

Sculpture exhibition in the Palais Royale Gardens - 

and a great coffee. Thank you Ann for a lovely afternoon. 

Next a night out at ...

Day 9 - Varese to Lucerne

Another early day to get through the Gottard Pass early and avoid the traffic jams. The tunnel is 17 kilometres long and sometimes there are heavy delays. 

The country is very beautiful and so green and our first stop was at the Cambrio to go up to the Stansard (not sure of the spelling). The view from the top was amazing. I don't seem to have downloaded the photos from the top so will do an extra post of this.

When we came down we went for a cruise around Lake Lucerne. Very beautiful. Another long day and we were all glad to get to the Hotel for a rest.

This beautiful carving in the rock wall at Lucerne was done by the same artist who did the Jesus by Lake Lucerne and the statue on the mountain at Rio.

Day 10 - Lucerne to Paris

We set off very early today to drive to Paris, a very long way. A very typical drive for we Australians but not so for some of the other passengers. It will be good to arrive in Paris and be re-oriented. 

The traffic was very busy when we got into Paris but Lucca, our excellent driver, got us through. The hotel is in a very nice part of Paris and at the end of the Metro 3 line just across the road. Very easy access to everything.

We had our Farewell Dinner tonight as we were going to Moulin Rouge on the final night. There was a wild storm as we drove to the restaurant but it had stopped before we got there.

Our dinner group, Diane, Moi, Cheryl, Debbie, Gordon and Brenda.

Dinner was excellent and after it we went on the river cruise down the Seine. By this time the rain had completely cleared and although it was a bit cool it was lovely to see the sights from the Bateau Mouche.

Next we parked in one of the squares to see the light display on the Eiffel Tower but there had been damage from the storm and it was the first time in many years that the light display had not happened.