Monday 20 September 2010

France

Hello




Well I am back from my French 'adventure'. To include pictures I am going to spread it out over a couple of entries. One of the problems of having an incurable disease is getting travel insurance but fortunately as my bank provides free travel insurance I was able to convince them that I was fit enough to travel and give me cover.


The outward journey went very well, at least until Calais station. On SNCF (French Railways) you have to 'composte' your ticket before boarding your train. In reality this means you have to insert your ticket into a machine to date and validate your ticket but the instructions are slightly less than clear. When you walk onto the platform you are greeted with a big sign that says All tickets must be composted. After a bit of head scratching I worked out how to do it and probably just as important why. French rail tickets are valid for one month as opposed to the British system of a specific date and to prevent fraudulant use the stamp indicates the specific date of travel.


The journey from Calais to Etaple Le Touquet took less than an hour and was very comfortable, in fact nearly as comfortable as what I consider to be one of the best British trains the class 375 Electrostars used on Southeastern but that would be a biased opinion!


After a short taxi ride to the Hotel Windsor it was time for a quick wash and brush up and than lunch..... more about that next time.


On the subject of health I have an appointment with the oncologist on Tuesday afternoon to get the result of the latest scan. It is now a year since I had any treatment and I still feel very well in myself so fingers crossed.


Bus from Dover station to ferry terminal


White Cliffs of Dover as seen from the P&O ferry Pride of Kent

Double deck train at Calais Ville station

Journeys End Etaples Le Touquet station

Andy

7 comments:

Sybil said...

Hi andy, glad you arrived safely and have returned equaly so !! I look forward to seeing your photo's in due course..
Sybil x

Funnyface said...

Fab entry, and so the French Adventure starts !
Jaynee x

Ken Riches said...

Glad you had a nice trip. Looking forward to pictures.

Jeanie said...

It looks lke you had decent weather for your holiday Andy. Double decker trains? What happens when you get to a bridge? Duck? lol
Looking forward to your next episode and to hearing that your tests are looking very favourable again.
Good luck!
Jeanie x

Liz said...

Ou La La!
Composted!
I presume this the french way of recycling!

Love the photo of the white cliffs and the double decker french train. Would our rails support such a revolutionary idea?

If our roads can support a double decker bus why have our rails been unable to embrace the heights of enterprise?

Have the white cliffs defended our arrogance far too long?

Odds Bodkins. said...

Hi Andy,
glad the trip went well. I look forward to seeing more pics soon.

I hope the checkup went well.

B.

Ally Lifewithally said...

Hi Andy looking forward to seeing photo's ~ hope your tests will be OK ~ Ally x