The Eurostar pre-boarding experience in Paris wasn't good and we got on the train just in time after a very slow process of passport and baggage checks.
In London Cherry visited the Camley Street Natural Park whilst Colin did some gym work. A quick dinner and Pizza Express before going to the theatre to watch Dear Evan Hansen.
Train home the next morning.
A drive back to Aix TGV station and then 3.25 hr train journey to Paris, staying at the IBIS styles at 52 Avenue Ledru Rollin (this one worth booking again). We decided it would be nice to revisit the Coulee Verte - the old raised railway line now a floral walkway.
We returned to Grimaud the next morning for a walk up to the Castle and a wander through the old village centre.
We drove on today towards our final stop at the IBIS Golfe de St Tropez which was a long way from St Tropez in a small town called Cogolin. The hotel was again functional but not the nicest location.
Before getting there however we headed to the botanic garden at Domaine de Rayol and had a nice leisurely wander around.
A lovely hike in the calanques from Cassis. We started reasonably early but it proved to be an incredibly popular route. We walked along the North side of Calanque de Port-Miou having done the South side 2 days earlier to arrive at Calanque de Port Pin. From there it was a bit of a dull slog uphill inland to a high cross point above Calanque en Vau. There was the option to head down to that cove or as we did take a high loop that returns to Calanque de Port Pin. There were some stunning views on this high path.
Our legs were feeling the miles walked in previous days so the aim today was to drive to various locations and keep the walking to a minimum. We drove eastwards along the med coast. First stop was Saint-Cyr-Sur-Mer which was very pleasant and seemed to be a quieter and more relaxed Med town. We strolled briefly along the beachfront, sat for a while then picked up some nice filled baguettes and dessert from the very busy local bakery.
A short drive this morning to the coast and arrived in Cassis reasonable early on Friday morning. Wandered around the port and town centre area and came across a lovely lively market with lots of fresh food and vegetables.
In the evening we drove into La Ciotat and found a restaurant to eat at the sea front. Cherry had Ceasar Salad and Colin a very nice sea bream.
Drove to this iconic mountain just east of Aix-en-Provence for some hiking. Colin and Cherry chose separate routes - one low, one high. Weather was perfect and even a little too hot early on. The summit climb was pretty tough to start with before I got into my rhythm. A monastery near the summit and then a large cross marking the summit. Great views and a very pleasant but pretty challenging hike.
After eating self made sandwiches we drove on to municipal swimming pool in Aix and both had a proper swim session in the busy 50 m pool.
After than another wander around the town centre we dined at Les Petit Bistrot on Cr Mirabeau - Colin had a nice piece of salmon.
With the rain pouring down on Paris we decided on an Uber from the hotel to Gare de Lyon. It took around 30 minutes and worked well as an alternative to the hour long walking alternative. We were in Standard Class this time on the TGV to Aix as the price difference was large and the difference in comfort we had seen last time was quite small. Happy with this choice for the reasonably speedy journey down South.
We picked up our hire car without incident at the TGV station and then drove to our Novotel hotel (Pont-de-l'Arc Fenouillères) on the outskirts of Aix.
We did a pleasant 30 minute stroll into town and had a good wander around the town centre. Stopping for drinks in a central square and then dinner at Chez Laurette (Colin had lamb tagine). Took an Uber back to the hotel afterwards.
After a good breakfast at the Pullman we arrived at St Pancras in good time for our 10.22 train to Paris. Queues were enormous and it wasn't a great experience going through the various checks of passports, Covid Vaccination Passport and luggage scanning and then waiting in the crowded waiting area. The train journey in the Standard Premium cabin was very nice with plenty of space and a nice little meal.
In Paris we were staying at an IBIS near the station (122, rue La Fayette) and got checked in quickly. We headed out for a wander around the Montmartre area of the city just NW of the station and hotel. Sacre Coeur was a bit busy but the quieter areas round about were quite pleasant.
First class seats on the 09.30 LNER train to Kings Cross. After early threats of a late train we got off on time and enjoyed a relaxed journey down to London. Quickly checked in to our room at the Pullman Hotel a short walk from the station.
Enjoyed a pleasant self-guided walking tour of Clerkenwell. Not the big sights of London but still an interesting mix of architecture, industry and history.
A drive out to Jedburgh to find some quiet roads and hills to cycle on. A nice series of 5 punchy hills in cold but clear weather proved a very enjoyable morning out. Just 22 miles and 918m climb over just over 2 hours. Pictured is the pretty village of Lanton.
Also did 30 mins easy running afterwards as part of Triathlon training plan.
