Travels to Strasbourg 11/12/15
Met up with my sister and her hubby at the Eurostar check in. The presence of heavily, and I mean heavily. armed police around the station was a little foreign to me but I could understand why. Through a thorough security check then onto passport control another few paces and we were at French passport control. Within half an hour we were finding our seats on the train and we were off.
It was quick and easy to walk from Gare Nord to Gare Est for the next train - we had all even used our smattering of french to ask directions. We were seated on the upper deck for the trip to Strasbourg. It was lovely to see the small villages go by. A quick taxi ride and we were at our apartment for the next few days. It’s a beautiful place exactly as seen on internet - I would recommend it!
We soon headed out for supplies and then found our way to where all the Christmas markets were. The decorations everywhere are impressive. A cup of Vin chau certainly helped us around the market!! It was a bit overwhelming so decided to just take everything in and check it out again tomorrow. Dinner was at a local restaurant and the food had a truly German influence. Don’t know whether it was the vin chau or the local drop which aided us becoming lost our way home but luckily after much walking we eventuall found the right spot!
We also took a boat ride so you saw a different side of the city and we learnt more about the place. We can see Germany from our appartment and could walk there in an about 15 minutes so you could understand that Strasbourg has been part of both France or Germany many times over the years and the peole here have suffered greatly.
I have never seen so many Christmas stalls or decorations - if you didn’t feel like CHristmas before a visit here I’m sure you would now. Our French is coming along - hello, yes, thank you, baguette, numbers and the word Vin Chau just rolls off out tongues!! This is a really great spot to visit and the apartment we’re in is really spacious and pleasant. Next stop Uk.
Finally arrived back in UK and am at my sister’s place. As we’d been away for a few days the house was very cold so whilst John (b-in-l) was lighting the fire I was wrapped in a dooner with a hotwater bottle and a glass of vin chau - I know Australia makes you soft! Hopefully the house will be warmer tomorrow!
15th December
John was up early working on the heating,whilst Les crept into bed with me (the Sister) where she snuggled down for a chat, and then a demand for a cuppa, poor John!
Then off for the next spot of shopping, preceeded by a cuppa and christmas cake - and she keeps telling us how healthly she is nowadays!
Into the first shop where a pair of snow boots were tried on. The salesman did his patter telling us how good the grip was -you won't slip over in these - John and I were amazed that he knew that Les is infamous for falling over in the ice;so an instant purchase.
This afternoon has been spent with snowmen,elves,penguins and igloos- yes day one on the christmas cakes, before a hot tub with spiced wine,and now a G and T in front of the log fire!
Met up with my sister and her hubby at the Eurostar check in. The presence of heavily, and I mean heavily. armed police around the station was a little foreign to me but I could understand why. Through a thorough security check then onto passport control another few paces and we were at French passport control. Within half an hour we were finding our seats on the train and we were off.
It was quick and easy to walk from Gare Nord to Gare Est for the next train - we had all even used our smattering of french to ask directions. We were seated on the upper deck for the trip to Strasbourg. It was lovely to see the small villages go by. A quick taxi ride and we were at our apartment for the next few days. It’s a beautiful place exactly as seen on internet - I would recommend it!
Our next couple of days were spent walking, walking and more walking! The highlight was a 90 minute tour of the city by segway - had and awesome time and learnt more about the history. We soon got our segway legs and were zooming around the place. There were so many people and as France is under a state of emergency there were armed police and soldiers everywhere. You didn’t feel fearful but as they have a shoot to kill policy at the moment I often looked to see where their trigger finger was!!
We also took a boat ride so you saw a different side of the city and we learnt more about the place. We can see Germany from our appartment and could walk there in an about 15 minutes so you could understand that Strasbourg has been part of both France or Germany many times over the years and the peole here have suffered greatly.
I have never seen so many Christmas stalls or decorations - if you didn’t feel like CHristmas before a visit here I’m sure you would now. Our French is coming along - hello, yes, thank you, baguette, numbers and the word Vin Chau just rolls off out tongues!! This is a really great spot to visit and the apartment we’re in is really spacious and pleasant. Next stop Uk.
Finally arrived back in UK and am at my sister’s place. As we’d been away for a few days the house was very cold so whilst John (b-in-l) was lighting the fire I was wrapped in a dooner with a hotwater bottle and a glass of vin chau - I know Australia makes you soft! Hopefully the house will be warmer tomorrow!
15th December
John was up early working on the heating,whilst Les crept into bed with me (the Sister) where she snuggled down for a chat, and then a demand for a cuppa, poor John!
Then off for the next spot of shopping, preceeded by a cuppa and christmas cake - and she keeps telling us how healthly she is nowadays!
Into the first shop where a pair of snow boots were tried on. The salesman did his patter telling us how good the grip was -you won't slip over in these - John and I were amazed that he knew that Les is infamous for falling over in the ice;so an instant purchase.
This afternoon has been spent with snowmen,elves,penguins and igloos- yes day one on the christmas cakes, before a hot tub with spiced wine,and now a G and T in front of the log fire!
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