Campanile - Clermont-Ferrand

Andy and I went to the train to go to Nevers and pick up the car. We spent an awesome hour waiting for the train, watching the workers re-sealing the opposite platform – the slow work, the apprentice who had to do all the running around, the foreman with the cell phone, the project manager who was the only one allowed to walk on the tracks, the ...

11/06

This morning we decided to pack the car and go after lunch so I could do the washing. This is when I checked out and was told we stayed one day too long. Anyway we made our way across the south of France then we turn right to the centre to head north ...

... Later that night, after we'd gone to bed, we were woken by a series of deafening bangs echoing around the surrounding hills, and thought the long-extinct volcanoes had come to life again - but it was just an enormous firework display in nearby Clermont-Ferrand . Nothing is more frustrating than being able to hear a huge firework display but ...

... the end I could have kept on going. The scenery was amazing and the people canadians ans Austrians were a lot of fun. We are now on the road in the south of france heading for Spain in a brand new Peugot 206. Whether we get there is another question as there are so many beautiful places along the way. The weather has turned lousy with it raining all day today and really cold. Tomorrow we will head off again and see where the road takes us. Take care Carol

This morning the sun is trying to put in an appearance. It is still and mild, and we're just about recovered from Friday night's sailing. Ralph has collared the camp attendant and got us a shower token each, and I set out to test the facilities. The shower cubicles are a generous size, and spotlessly clean. There are few instructions on the token machine, so I undress, put the shower head into the wall socket and turn on ...

I turned in fairly late last night, but had to be up fairly early this morning, since I needed to make the drive to Vichy for lunch. I was on the road a little after 8:00. It rained much of the way up, but the drive was still beautiful. The route took me very near the Festival site we've used the last two years and will again this year. It also took me near several of the volcanoes in the center of France. They're easily recognizable due to their ...

On Le Weekend we met a group of the French kids and clearly they fell in love with us. So shortly after that weekend they wanted to party with us again as soon as they could. And did we ever. Quentin had a number of us over to get to know us a little better. A couple 40s later we were much better acquainted. It was the start of a beautiful friendship.

... We shared the best appetizer ever, tomato and mozzarella salad. Some of the French guys got some traditional french dishes that we got to try. Steak tar tar, which is raw hamburger with a raw egg on top was the most adventurous thing I have ever tried in my life. I tried a really small bite and I think I threw up a little in my mouth but, I am glad that I got to try it. It was such a great weekend, everything was so random, but alotta fun. I just wish that we were more prepared.

So, on September 1 we headed to the Gare de Lyon and made our way down to Vichy. Its about 3 hours by regular train south to Vichy. When I got the station a girl from my school met me and took me right to my dorm. I was super nervous about this. I really wanted something nice to live in, and thankfully my dorm is perfect for me. It was super clean, had a shower, with pressure, toilet, and kitchenette ...

Mida lähemale linnale, seda vichysemaks ja vesiseks ka ilm kiskus. Seetõttu polnud me seal väga entusiastlikud turistid ja käisime vaid tiiru linnas ning maitsesime kraanidest vett. Tegemist oli sooja ja väga ebameeldiva maitselise veega. Seega 0,3 € topsi ostmine vee degusteerimiseks oli üsna mõttetu. Vichy külastamist jääb meile meenutama karp pastille.