Korea/France 2015 ----- France September 2015

France.  September 2015

We arrived in Paris on September 9th.  We caught the Roissy bus into Opera.  This is the common drop off for tourists.  When we arrived there were 3 police cars - arresting 5 pickpockets.  By the time we met the owner of the appartment we'd rented and had something to eat we realised that we were actually going to bed at 4.00am according to our body clock.

Our accommodation was a tiny one room appartment on the 7th floor - no lift and the stairs were spiral.  Just as well we are only in our early seventies!  But we did have a view of the Eiffel Tower from one window and Sacre Coeur from the other window.

France fact

In an average year in Paris 600 people break a limb slipping on dog droppings or trying to remove the mess from the soles of their shoes. There are 60 green motorcycles travelling around Paris sucking up the droppings with vacuum cleaners.  This was recorded in a book called "Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't be Wrong" and the writer had a conversation with a policeman regarding a fine for not cleaning up the mess.  

"Do you know how many fines the police handed out last year?"

"500 maybe?"

"Four!"

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Us

Gradually the family arrived in France.  Katy, Emily and Max arrived a few days after us and took over the tiny appartment.  We assumed the guy who owns it just moves out when he has a booking, because the place was absolutely full of his stuff.   The fridge  even had out of date food in it.

We took the overnight train down to the Pyrenees and moved into our cabin.  It was great to catch up with our friends the Calestremes and their daughter's family the Guerins. 

We had some lovely friends visiting from the U.K. and Australia.  Then all the family arrived for one week, which was fantastic.

  We have had some moments where we have been so impressed by the French people.  

I had a flat tyre and a couple stopped and helped me fix it.  

The people at the cabin site were extremely helpful and were in no hurry for payment. 

We would appreciate any of you that are praying people (and those who don't mind doing it) to pray for our friend Annie.  Today, Tuesday, she and I were picking apples and she slipped and broke her ankle, a bad break.  She is being operated on Wednesday.

We are staying in her house with her family.  Her husband and daughter are both doctors.

We will put up another blog soon and talk about food and culture - mainly food.

Peace and grace

Love

R & A