CONTINUED (FRANCE)

On we went, then, from Germany into Brussels and into France.  We thought it fun to have been in three different countries in one day!  We finally came to Giverny where we stayed in a charming hotel near the grounds where Claude Monet lived and did his work.  In this small village there are still buildings used from the middle ages.  We toured the gardens where Monet is said to have had his inspiration for his paintings.

His mansion is also part of the garden grounds and Dan's photos can give you a glimpse of how absolutely beautiful is all was there.  We also viewed the sight that has memorialized the graves of seven British airmen that died in a crash there during WWI.  The people there are grateful to those who lost their lives to give them the freedom they have today.  The world history that comes up in these places is sobering.

So, then we traveled on country roads for awhile to reach the freeway to take us to Paris so we could return our leased car.  We stayed overnight in the same timeshare resort where we began our journey through Europe.  We met a few Americans at a meet and greet hour, so it was fun to have some chatting with folks about their travels.  It was Monday.  The first Monday of the month.  Most shops and restaurants were closed, but we did find a place to eat.....finally.  It was good fish and chips and lamb kabob.

Tuesday morning.  A nightmare!  Paris is no place to be driving a car.  We should be shot for doing so.

The GPS screwed us up, for one thing, and then to drive where there is a free-for-all in the downtown core would put anyone in an insane asylum.  Thankfully, we arrived at the Peugeot destination and all went fine.

A cab was called for us and we loaded our luggage into this small vehicle and went back into the rat race with a very good driver at the wheel.  We reached the train station in one piece and did not have to wait long before we were on the tracks to London.  Hauling the luggage around can be fun if you can imagine a movie made of all the crazy things one has to do to get luggage down stairs and onto escalators.  People in London were very helpful and friendly.  The whole transport system in London is the best in the world.  It is comprehensive and easy to use.  One does have to get used to the three hundred bazillion people, however.

Thus started our week in London.