This update should get us close to being up to date again… After Caen we hopped a train for Paris that evening, stayed over night and hoped a train to Avignon first thing in the morning. This was one of the TGV trains that the French are so proud of and rightly so; it’s a great way to travel. We arrived in Avignon, sometime alternative to the Vatican as the home of the Pope. This is a great little town; with a fantastic central square 30 meters from our hotel where we enjoyed good coffee, excellent Belgian beer and the like.
The town is walled and contains the almost completely intact Palais de Papes construction of which was started in 1335 and completed 20 years later. 
The gardens above the palace were a great place for a stroll on what was a glorious sunny day…
…if a touch windy.
The building behind Ali is the Chapterhouse; it’s one of several mansions built by the Cardinals who chose to live in the French city of Villeneuve across the river rather than be subject to the Pope’s law in Avignon. To visit the Pope and attend to church business they crossed the St Bénezet bridge which had two chapels built on it as a way of collecting ‘tolls’ from the Cardinals and pilgrims as they crossed it. The bridge is also known from the supposedly famous French song “Sur le Pont d’Avignon…” though neither Ali or I had ever heard of it.
All in all a great day in Avignon. The following day we hopped back on the TGV to Nice and have settled in here for a few days, with side trips planned for St. Tropez, Monico and the like before heading off to Italy.
Cheers,
Mark & Ali
P.S. Joanne, we didn’t make Mont-St-Michel due to the wildly incompetant and unfriendly folks at Hertz gumming up our car rental. We won’t be using them again, ever.
P.P.S. Steve (with apologies to Cara) this one’s for you.
P.P.P.S. Dad this one’s for you, thank’s for getting Ronin ready for the water and be glad (or sad) that neither of us has as much teak to sand and varnish as this fellow.
Good morning from PEI. I enjoyed your entry and photos today as well. It’s nice to see both of your in the photos. You are on the second leg of your trip – are you getting tired yet? How about your boat Mark – it sounds like she misses you. There is lots of time for sailing – you will be back in a month. It’s a nice sunny day here and we are actually going to get into the double digits – yah! I think we will head to the beach for a play in the sand and a walk by the water. Maybe we will get an early jump on the beach glass. We had quite a storm surge in the New Year so it will be interested to see how things have changed. Grammie and Grampie’s beach changed quite a bit – where we used to park the cars is now all sand. I should go and get a little work done before we go. Rockin’ out to the 80′s at 8. Keep on having fun and we look forward to your next entry. Love, Sara and gang
Hi guys,
That’s too bad about your car rental problems! I can’t remember who we used when we rented… But I can’t wait to see your pics of Saint-Tropez and Monaco. And I’ll sing ‘Sur le pont d’Avignon’ for you when you get home
And while you were in Paris, did you make it up to Montmartre? If you did, Ali, you no doubt were chased down by some artists wanting to draw or paint your portrait. But then again, you didn’t have the best weather in Paris so maybe they weren’t out and about. Looking forward to hearing more!
Jo
xoxo
Ah Oui!
Sur le pont d’Avignon, l’on y danse, l’on y danse. Very famous, but before your time.
Gorgeous day in T.O. with more to come, so the weatherman says.
We already planted some pansies in the black pots at the front door so we have some colour!
Dad’s off to Whitby Marina for a band gig and then to do some more work on ‘Last Penny’ tomorrow. Sinful…. NEVER on Sunday (to stay in the Greek mode).
Hope you did not plan a visit to Monaco Friday because of the funeral for Prince Rainier? Remember St. Paul de Vences if you have time.
Played bridge last night with the Morrisons (Ross’ parents). Dad and I lost BIG time. Guess he couldn’t follow my bidding?
Enjoy your stay in the South. How do you like the pebbled beaches and the old section of Nice. Are you off to Florence next. That’s one I still have on my agenda. Dad has been there before many moons ago.
Love you and enjoy the whole experience.
x0x0x0x0 Mom T.O.
Hi Ali & Mark
Slow morning at work, so I’m reviewing your posts. Lovely pictures as always. I agree with Sara, love to see your smiling faces. And also, like JO, can’t wait to see the Saint Tropez pics.
We are having another beautiful day here. Everyone is out soaking it up. Nothing like spring, after a Canadian winter. I picked up my Xmas bike last Saturday. I plan to go out on the trails after work. It’s a beautiful bike, but only when I drove it down to the end of the street, did I realize how awesome it really is.
Vanessa and I are thinking about going to visit Cha the end of May. I am getting excited about that, especially as it’s in the 20s there today.
Hope you are still relaxing and soaking it all up. Love you a whole lot.
Love Mom
We have just returned from Red Lobster. It was one year ago since Uncle Andre’s operation on April 15. He is doing sooo well.
We are looking at your travel site most days. It’s great.
I am going to miss coming here when I see “The End”.
Love to you both
Hi guys!
We’re back from the and of the pyramids! Had a great time and great weather (up to 30 degrees Celsius. Mark do the math…) Walter went diving for 2 days and encountered a group of dolphins and two very big turtles dancing around each other in the water. (Very slowly of course!) Frutsel enjoyed all the Egyptians pastries with honey…. Great to see what you did last week. Enjoy your reports! Mark will love Monaco for all the luxurious boats! CU! Jess and Walter
Hi Guys, Enjoying your pictures very much.If you watched Sesame Street during the Michael Matthew era you probably heard “Sur le pont “.I know it is engraved on my brain.WE are back on PEI and have had some nice weather last couple of days.LOoking forward to seeing more PIcs. Take care. Love Mary
Hi Ali and Mark. Just a quick note to let you know that everyone received their postcards today. They were very thrilled to get them. Mom was down today – Mike and I (and Owen) went to town – picking out colours and tile and the like – what a job !! – I am glad we had some help. Hopefully it will all come together nicely. Things were starting to get blurrey (sp?) near the end. That’s when we knew it was enough for one day. We all went trout fishing yesterday down Pt. Pleasant Road (Jack Leeco dam by the girl guide camp). We were out for two hours or more – had 5 lines in the water – one bite and one fish reeled in by Jason and netted by Amanda. It was nice to catch at least one. Looking forward to your next entry and the pictures. Keep on having fun. Love, Sara