Finally found the modern world.

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Well technology does exist but you have to find the right hotel in France. Last night we stayed in Nice in an Accor Hotel. The WiFi in these hotels is fast enough to be able to upload photos so I spent last night uploading photo and not much else. The day have been long with being on the coach at 7:30 each morning and not getting to our next accommodation till after 7:00 at night. the tours have been great and the temperature a little lower, only in the early 30s

We left Nice this morning for Avignon on our way to Lyon. Avignon was a Papal city before the Vatican and the Popes had move from Rome for the safety of Avignon

Between 1309 and 1377, during the Avignon Papacy, seven successive popes resided in Avignon and in 1348 Pope Clement VI bought the town from Joanna I of Naples. Papal control persisted until 1791 when, during the French Revolution, it became part of France. The town is now the capital of the Vaucluse department and one of the few French cities to have preserved its ramparts.

Leaving Avignon we head for a lunch stop which was an included lunch as a “Be my Guest” lunch. this was in a old mill house “Au Gusto La Table D’emmanuel. This was also a museum dedicated the Jackie Kennedy and and art gallery

If you want to see some photos follow this link

https://photos.app.goo.gl/eLRa6AGy5CEVjqYf9

Well hope to be able to add some of the things I have missed putting up over the last couple of weeks. Tomorrow Paris

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Slow Connection

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Hi Everyone getting a good connection to the internet is proving a little difficult. I can’t load my photos is the main problem but finding time to write the blog is also a problem. A problem we can handle.

Having a great time although a little warm here. Most days are 30 to 35+ and no Fremantle Doctor.

Today we are off to Roma after several days in Venice.

Leaving our hotel on Lido.

The V&A

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Well yesterday was a little laid back. We had contacted our friend Colin from Wiltshire earlier in the week to see if we could get together during the week, His wife was working but he could meet us in town on Thursday afternoon, so it was off to London Bridge station to meet Colin. We agreed to meet there next to the Costa (Coffee shop) at 2. We had been to London Bridge Station the day before and getting off the train at platform 14 we spied Costa Pronto on the Lower Concourse. Well that was handy, Colin must know his way around this station. About 10 past 2 we had a phone call from Colin “Where are you?” I can see a theme developing here.
Colin was on the Upper Concourse next to the Costa. Once we managed to get together we headed outside for some refreshments.

The Shipwrights Arms

Directly outside the station appeared the Shipwights Arms. How convenient. So we took refreshment inside dinning on bangers and mash, and fish cakes and peas. liberally washed down with cider. After catching up on all the family news we decided to take in the view from the Shard. Well rocking up to the door we nearly collapsed at the price of entry, thinking we could spend our money in better ways we headed off through Guys Hospital.

Colin was in search of a watering hole he had visited on a classic pub tour some time back, it was near Borough Markets but wasn’t on the street but in an alleyway. We found it, The George which was rebuilt in 1676.
The weather was a little threatening but we managed to sit in the courtyard supping fine English Ale and cider accompanied by more chin wagging. the weather held out and the sun shone till it was finely time to say goodbye to Colin and make our way home.

Today it was time to have a look at a museum or two. We headed for South Kennsington for the “Victoria and Albert” but first a coffee. Yet again I noticed a Flat White was one price without a choice of drink size and dearer than a Latte. As we were finishing our coffee I asked a staff member why this was and apparently a flat white only comes in one size but has double shots, a latte has 1 or 2 shots according to size. He recommended ordering a latte with and extra shot but check to see if they charged for extra shots. We live to drink coffee another day.

After coffee we headed for the Natural History Museum. This is a magnificent building housing a large collection of Dinosaurs etc.

  • Giraffe
  • Whale skeleton
  • Dinosaur eggs

Lunch was sitting in the street at a restaurant. This style of dinning has certainly become popular since the first time I came to the UK. The sun shine certainly makes it very popular.

The Victoria and Albert saw us wandering from exhibit to exhibit till at last with weary feet it was time to head home.