Le Ruble July 21-23
Trip Start
Jun 24, 2008
1
23
41
Trip End
Aug 28, 2008
Toulouse,
Midi-Pyrénées,
France
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Today I actually got up and took some photos at sunrise, don't think they are all that good though. Haven't had a close look yet. I decided to get the morning bread. It will be the first time on this trip that I have driven. Thought it would be a good test for this afternoon, as I will have to drive back from Montauban after taking Gerda and Jan-Erik to the train. I knew our bakery was closed Mondays so I headed for the supermarket. It was 8.10 and they didn't open till 8.30, so I decided to try the other supermarket at the other end of town. Closed too. So there was only one more thing to do, drive through town (it is a very small town) and try the bakery by the market. Working on the theory that surely they would close on different days. They were open so I bought 10 baguettes. Both the car and I survived.
Charlotte was feeling much better this morning, Soon it was time to go to Montauban. I will miss Gerda and Jan-Erik, will see them briefly in Stockholm, but I have managed to pick a weekend when they are away. On the way back we stopped in Montech for a coffee and croissant, managed to find both at different places
sunrise
. Had some fun asking for a fluffy for Charlotte, she got hot milk.Went to the pool when we got back, Charlotte was not keen on the to her cold water. She was getting tired, not quite herself yet. I spent some more frustrating time with Theo trying to get on the internet, today even the cable wouldn't work, starting to think it's my computer, but martin tried later and couldn't get on either. I will put everything on my USB stick and use his computer.
Went for a long walk with marianne, we had talked about doing that for a couple of days. The countryside is so beautiful, rolling hills with fields of sunflowers, and melons and many with fresh hay bales.
An other BBQ night, different salads and meats. Played cards with the kids after dinner. Francesca kept loosing so she was keen to change to poker which she has recently learnt and seems to be very lucky at.
22nd July Le Ruble
We were off to a tour of the Airbus factory. Organising 30 odd people to take off together is not easy. It didn't help that the roads by the plant were so new that none of our GPS's could find it. We finally set off in a convoy of 5 cars. We were last and ended up behind a large truck that insisted to use more than his ½ of he road so there was no way we could pass him. Luckily I had had a good look at the map, and recognised the signs at the roundabout. As it turned out we got there first having taken the correct exits. We were all a little disappointed that we weren't allowed any cameras
I need that coffe
. Security was pretty tight. All passports had to be shown and checked. There was quite a lot of waiting around before the tour started. Waiting in the 'shop' to entice us to buy something. Blue caps for boys with 'future pilot' and pink once for girls with 'fly airbus' much to sexist for my taste.The tour started with a show in a control room, where we among other things saw the first testflight of the Airbus A380. Which they were very proud off. We then went on a bus tour around the plant which is enormous. We had a look in a 'Hangar' where there were 3 almost finished planes. Unfortunately, it was lunch time so we didn't actually see the people at work. We got a lot of interesting information on where the different parts were made (England, Germany, France and Spain) and how they were transported to Toulouse. The smaller part in Belugas (large ugly transport planes), the parts to large for the planes, by boat, barge and finally road convoy over 3 nights. Knowing how narrow some of these roads are it's amazing they get through at all.
Many of the party decided to go into Toulouse afterwards, Peter had had enough and wanted home, which was fine with me. Charlotte decided to come with us as did Kristina and Maarten. On the rip to Toulouse charlotte had been quite grizzly, now she was back to her normal self. Initially talking to herself and flying her new plane, but she then started talking to Kristina and didn't stop for the whole trip.
We had some lunch and I then put Charlotte down for a rest, I read her a story and decided to cuddle her for awhile
Country side around Le Ruble
. An hour and a half later I got up.Martin had to get Margaret from the train, he had hoped to get her from Montauban, but her train doesn't stop there. So it was a choice between Cahours or Toulouse. A much longer but easier drive to Cahors, so he settled for that.
The didn't get back till well after 9pm. It was good to see Margaret again.
23rd July, Le Ruble
A very quiet day, a lot of it spent by the pool. Got very hot in the afternoon, up to 35 according to our car, but I think that's showing a couple of degrees too much.
I played Chess with Henry in the afternoon, and Monopoly with him and Francesca, she left after a while and Charlotte kind of joined us.
I went to the supermarket to get some food. Peter (brother), Anne-Marie, Lisa and Marianne were supposed to go to town for dinner before picking Kate and family up. As they were about to leave, Anne-Marie decided not to go, as she had a splitting headache, then Charlotte kicked up such a fuzz that Lisa decided not to go either. So in the end nobody went. I said I could go and get them later. Plane wasn't due till 22.50. My brother Peter said he would be happy to drive. I was very grateful for that. I'm sure I could have managed, but this was much easier.
We had a nice drive to the airport. The plane was early and it didn't take them too long to get through and we got out of the airport within the free ½ hour. I was pleased about that as the machine doesn't take coins and won't take our credit cards.
We got back here about 20 past midnight. Only the kids were still up. I showed everybody to their rooms. Sam wasn't to thrilled to have to top and tail with Henry, but I promised if it didn't work out we would find an other solution in the morning.
Anne-Marie came into my room in the morning looking for Henry, because Sam when Sam woke up Henry wasn't there. It seemed Henry had woken up during the night and walked downstairs. Katrina had taken pity on him and either given up her bed, or shared it with him.
Comments
Hi there
Your Photos are wonderful as usual and so glad you are all having a lovely time - hope the weather stays hot and sunny for you.
I Picked up your unsold photos - both unfortunately - I just love the Monaco scene one - its sooo beautiful. I am going to have a look at your winning one at Impressions later today.