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Post by mich64 on Sept 26, 2012 15:07:52 GMT
This years trip was all about my younger sister. She has been saving for 5 years for her and her husband to join us on holiday September 2012. Ladybird is the only member of the family who has not alone lived in but has never been to Europe. It has been a dream for her since she was a little girl. Ladybird has a keen interest in anything World War history oriented so I planned this holiday around this. We landed in Paris at Terminal 3 and after finding our way over to Terminal 1, we picked up our rental vehicle and set off for Compeigne. We had hoped to stay in Pierrefonds but all the rooms were booked. This actually was a good thing as we got to have dinner in Compeigne and then breakfast in Pierrefonds.
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Post by mich64 on Sept 26, 2012 15:16:58 GMT
Our first full day was at Chateau Pierrefonds. I have to say that for me this the highlight of my trip and could have rebooked the hotel for the next week to go back day after day. My sister, however, was less impressed. While I was excited about the fact there was filming in progress, it disturbed her from seeing more of the actual Chateau and being her first Castle experience, I understood. It was not until we got up to the Chateau and purchased our tickets that I realized something was different...
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Post by mich64 on Sept 26, 2012 15:36:14 GMT
hmmm... Once I could speak properly, my sister began to understand what my excitement was all about and she laughed when I explained that I would get to post this on AP! I stood for awhile and watched the production, before being dragged off into the Chateau. We made our way upstairs and were allowed a peek in the Throne room where we seen the beautiful Guinevere preparing for a scene up near where these gentleman were taking a break. (K, this is a photo were I think we might have been near one another as we captured the same people up there on that balcony) My husband, sister and brother-in-law then headed downstairs into the crypt and this is when they had to leave me standing by myself and the kind production assistant allowed me to stand and observe.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2012 16:30:20 GMT
I hope they enjoyed the crypt. I love it.
One good thing about your sister not having any château experience is that she was probably not disappointed (as many people are) that Pierrefonds is not lavishly furnished. For a lot of château visitors, it's all about the ornate furniture, the chandeliers, the vases, the tapestries, the figurines, the paintings... Chambord is another château that disappoints some people for the same reason -- the rooms are empty.
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Post by mich64 on Sept 26, 2012 17:15:33 GMT
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Post by mich64 on Sept 26, 2012 18:08:05 GMT
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Post by mich64 on Sept 26, 2012 19:25:48 GMT
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Post by htmb on Sept 26, 2012 19:44:32 GMT
Mich, what a delightful report! I am enjoying seeing your pictures and looking forward to more. Thank you for taking us along
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Post by tod2 on Sept 27, 2012 15:47:36 GMT
Way to go Mich! I am enjoying your photo-essay immensely and must tell you I am knocked out by the monument at Vimy Ridge! It is absolutely beautiful and I would love to go there if we ever get to wander around France. Looking forward to loads more!
May I ask how your sister got the name Ladybird? I have only ever heard it used in conjunction with Ladybird Johnson, wife of Lyndon B. Johnson.
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Post by mich64 on Sept 27, 2012 17:48:28 GMT
Thank you Tod! I hope that you do get to see the monument some day.
Ah Ladybird... My mom always calls her that. I believe as a little girl she was so refined and add to that she has always been as tiny as a bird, so there we have it, Ladybird. I also think because she is the baby of us five.
(My brother is called Martha, middle child and the only boy)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2012 17:57:21 GMT
Bruges is a really beautiful city -- in the beautiful center, of course -- the industrial exterior should never be seen. I have never seen it in the summer, only in the cold and rain, but even that kind of weather does not spoil it.
Nevertheless, I would venture to say that it qualifies as one of the places that is "too" touristy as the entire center of the city seems to be exclusively geared to the tourist trade.
Therefore, I am anxiously awaiting the upcoming pictures. I hope you went to the top of the belfry!
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Post by mich64 on Sept 27, 2012 18:06:13 GMT
K, I will post some more photos of Bruges soon and I agree that there are many chocolate, lace, souvenier shops, but as I hope some of my upcoming photos show, there is more to see off the main streets.
No, I did not attempt the Belfry! I would have done so before the brain injury but I have yet to regain my balance, hopefully in future...
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Post by lugg on Sept 28, 2012 7:19:29 GMT
Fantastic photo essay Mich. So good to see your sister fulfilling her dream.
Such a small world, amazing really to think that your family and K2 were so near to one another at Pierrefonds.
The Vimy Ridge memorial photos are especially wonderful. Looking forward to seeing more of Bruges.
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Post by mich64 on Sept 28, 2012 12:48:48 GMT
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Post by mich64 on Sept 28, 2012 13:00:04 GMT
I invited my sister to take the boat tour of the canals and was happy that I did as you get to see and hear more about Bruges from the guide. It only lasted about a half hour but is just enough to give you a rest from walking and showed us more areas to explore on foot. This home has been remodelled and was for sale for just over one million Euro. Our guide explained that this dog named Fidel, is the most photographed dog in Bruges.
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Post by mich64 on Sept 28, 2012 13:11:15 GMT
Our Hotel was a refurbished Monestary about a five minute walk to the city center and about 15 minute walk to where we could park the car. The only thing I did not like about the place was there was no phones in the rooms, you had to rely on the front reception being open. It would be concerning if there had been an emergency as they closed the reception after their last guests were checked in some days and gave you a code to get back into the building. Our room. The breakfast room/reception/bar area. Next, we are on our way to Caen, France. It was about a five hour drive, but so beautiful as we did see some glimpses of the English Channel on the way. Crossing the bridges at Honfleur offered a sensational view of the Channel and the Seine but absolutely terrified my sister!
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Post by htmb on Sept 28, 2012 13:15:26 GMT
Absolutely lovely, mich! Your photographs are really wonderful and make me feel like I was right there with you. I am enjoying your report very much.
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Post by mich64 on Sept 28, 2012 13:53:00 GMT
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Post by mich64 on Sept 28, 2012 14:02:24 GMT
Thank you htmb and lugg! I am happy you are enjoying our adventure.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2012 17:04:26 GMT
It is great to see them so happy (and I am sure that you were happy too). Going back to Bruges, I love the picture with the dog resting its head on the pillow. If ever you pass through Caen again, I highly recommend visiting the Mémorial. I have only been there once and dearly want to go back, because the stupid friends I was with got bored and wanted to leave before I was ready.
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Post by mossie on Sept 28, 2012 17:22:52 GMT
Love this report. I thoroughly recommend the canal tour in Bruges. Courselles is well worth staying in, we had a couple of days there about 20 years ago when we toured the area. I would also recommend a trip to Cancale.
I'm afraid I find the big military cemeteries very depressing, sorry.
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Post by mich64 on Sept 28, 2012 18:13:56 GMT
Thank you Kerouac, they and we, were happy! Mossie, I do understand that to many they are depressing, but for us being that we were visiting family members who perished in WW1 & 2 was an honor, a duty, and a chance to express our respect to their service. Outside of Caen is the Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetary in a small town named Cintheaux. This is where my husbands uncle is buried. His granddaughter is being married next week and her and I are very close. Caen does have many sites to visit and as Kerouac noted they also have a Memorial site but unfortunately not enough time on this visit, but here are some of the sights we did see.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2012 18:35:01 GMT
I'm sure you noticed that there was not much of old Caen to see.
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Post by mich64 on Sept 28, 2012 22:40:26 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 29, 2012 5:13:43 GMT
Mich, I'm just knocked-out by this report. Not only are you showing us some fascinating stuff, but you're sharing the reasons you picked the sights you did and also the warmth of your family. Boy, it's easy to see that you & Ladybird are sisters. (but Martha? Martha?!)
Of course I wasn't there, but I would think the chateau experience would have been enhanced by all those people lounging around in period-specific clothing.
You did such a good job of capturing the immensity & solemnity of the monuments. That first picture in #6 is absolutely perfect. I can see Mossie's point, and must say that the rows & rows of markers affect me in the same way as the concept of the Vietnam war memorial -- with immense sadness. However, that seems so appropriate. If everyone could be imbued with that sadness, it might do much to lessen the frequency of the waste that is war.
You were brave to go down in those trenches!
Did I miss something? What are all those people doing under that huge arch?
As a Louisianian, I totally approve of people giving themselves over to the experience of something from the sea that comes in a shell. Just love the picture of you and your plate of mussels!
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Post by mossie on Sept 29, 2012 5:33:46 GMT
That huge arch is the Menin Gate in Ypres. It stands over the Menin road down which marched the armies to battle. It commemorates the many many thousands who have no known graves. Their names are inscribed in the walls.
The Last Post ceremony held by the local Fire Brigade is very moving. Having carried coffins and fired shots over graves I find it all brings back bad memories. When I attended that ceremony was one of the very rare occasions that I have cried.
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Post by auntieannie on Sept 29, 2012 15:27:16 GMT
and now i am crying in front of my screen. too emotional.gorgeous trip report. Mich
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Post by mich64 on Sept 29, 2012 18:26:13 GMT
We too Mossie had tears during the ceremony at the Menin Gate. It honours all Allied Forces for their service and sacrifice. Thank you Bixa for the many kind words! My brother did not seem to mind being called Martha, I guess that happens when you have 4 sisters. He grew up to be a very patient and kind man and a wonderful father of two sons. While the trip focused on Ladybird's history fascination, I have to say I also watched her shop shop shop! Going from store to store finding presents for her 3 children at every opportunity, wanting to find them unique gifts that they would not find at home. She was so dissapointed when we were in Caen that a shoe store was closed Sunday and Monday. Every time we passed she would stop and gaze then shake her head. I assured her she would find the same shoes in about 6 months back home. I am sure she will remind me if she does not... From Caen we headed to Paris for our day and half stay (way too short for me!). We dropped our rental car and took a taxi into the city to our Hotel. The tiniest room we have ever encountered, but again, limited availability due to our late booking. It was clean, the staff were welcoming, helpful and we were central. My sister had only two things she wanted to do in Paris. One, visit the Memorial de la Shoah, the Holocaust Memorial in the Marais and two, to stop at Skakespeare Book Company. I, however, insisted she accompany us to the Eiffel tower after dark and to walk through Notre Dame. And of course, she shopped some more. And that is the end of our journey. I wish I had more photos to share but I now realize I spent more time watching Ladybird and less time with my camera. Cheers!
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Post by mich64 on Sept 29, 2012 18:33:11 GMT
Thank you auntieannie!
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Post by htmb on Sept 29, 2012 19:01:16 GMT
Mich, how gratifying it must feel for you to have been able to show your sister around France on the "trip of a lifetime," and what a patient sister you are! I loved your photos of the Eiffel Tower, especially the first one. Can you imagine that I've been to Paris on five different trips and I've never seen the Eiffel Tower all lit up at night. That must be some sort of heresy and would probably get me banned from most travel forums. Your trip report was wonderful and I am sure you are enjoying reliving your travels through your photographs. As for Merlin in the US, it would be available to be on cable via an extra monthly subscription only.
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