Nice/Paris/Cork

The past two weeks has been extremely busy, we have explored the island of St Marguerite just off the coast of Cannes it was lovely and hot. We explored the Fort and walked part of the island. After lunch we headed to the beach which was much calmer than Nice it was a lovely day.

Our last day in Nice was spent relaxing on the Sun beds at Castels.

We arrived in Paris on the 7th July that night we all dressed up and headed to the Eiffel tower for dinner at restaurant 58. If you are ever in Paris this is a must do we found it a wonderful experience and the waiter was fantastic with the kids. Over the next few days we explored the Paris must do's
- Eiffel tower
- The Louvre
- Jardin DES Plantes
- Hotel de Ville
- Arc de Triumph
- Grand Palais
- St Louis island shops and of course lots of berthillon ice-cream

Saturday we caught a train to the town of Rouen where Hubbys Great Uncle Laurence Daniel Found was laid to rest after he died from gunshot wounds received on 12th October 1917 in World War 1, the same day as his brother Neal Found was also shot. Neal died in the field in Belgium his grave unknown. Laurence survived until 23rd October 1917 before passing away. He is buried in the St Severs cemetery along with many other soldiers from WW1. To stand amongst the white tombstones was a very humbling and emotional experience, to know both Laurence and Neal were loved by their Mother, Father, brother, sisters and Neals wife and two infant children was comforting. On leaving the cemetery to see the French people go about their business was really a wonderful thing, life could have been very different for all of us had it not been for these men. Just before we left Melbourne we met with a decendant of Neal's his great great granddaughter Tracey and her daughter Lauren. Visiting Tracey really helped us to understand these two very brave men and also gave us an insight into Russell's Great Grandmother and Laurence and Neal's beautiful Mother Jane who was heartbroken over the loss of her two sons. Tracey we thank you for the information you shared with us before we left and we look forward to getting to know you more in the future.

RIP Laurence and Neal!

Sunday was a completely different day we went to Disneyland Paris. We survived a 17 hour day of laughs and fun. The kids had so much fun on all the rides at the parades and fireworks. The day was even more exciting when Daughter no. 2 bumped into her good friend and our neighbors from home. It was fun to spend a few hours with them running around Disneyland.

Monday was spent finishing off our site seeing we climbed the 300 stairs to the top of the Sacre Couer dome then it was a mad dash back to the Eiffel tower to go to the top floor unfortunately 2 of the lifts were broken so we could only manage to get to the second floor. Which is still a great view. Hubby and daughter no. 1 then went to the Arc de Triumph and walked the Champs-Elyees. Myself and daughter no. 2 and son went back to the apartment to rest. Dinner was with hubby's friend from work. Really exhausted!

Tuesday I was up early as I wanted to get to the Notre Dame before the crowds we had been 3 times but the lines were far too long. At 8am no one is around and I was even able to sit in on Mass being held, it was beautiful sitting quietly listening taking in the beauty of the Cathedral. Russ and the kids went when I arrived back at the apartment it gave me an hour to pack and clean up before heading to Ireland on our 3.15 flight. We nearly didn't get to the airport as we caught the wrong train, thankfully the French people on the train were wonderful and put us on the right path.

Talking about the French people they have been just wonderful to us, when ever we have been lost and that was basically everyday they helped us. They were very patient and always had a great smile for us. Our day in Rouen saw us very lost and about to walk 5k to the cemetery until the lady in the bakery left her shop to help us she introduced us to another lady wHo drew a map and took us to the right bus stop. Those two ladies were sent to us by a greater force as if they did not cross our path I don't think we would have found the cemetery. To the beaUtiful French people we say a big thank you....we love your hospitality and country.

IRELAND

On arriving at my brothers and sister-in-laws farm house our children were delighted! They have taken on the responsibility of looking after the dog, cat, fish and the 10 chickens with passion. We took Wednesday very slowly as we are exhausted we explored the farm and hung out with the animals and in the veggie patch. We went to Baltimore Thursday for lunch looking out over the harbour.

Friday we drove to a place called Glandore we visited a Bronze age stone circle which was fascinating you could even see where they lived and the holes lined with stone they had created to boil water in 18 minutes by pushing hot rocks into the water which would stay hot for 3 hours! Perfect for boiling meat.

Today we travelled about an hour and a half to Blarney we climbed the castle in rain and wind and we all kissed the blarney stone we can now go forth with the gift of Eloquence! We then climbed all the way down, daughter no. 1 threw up outside the Blarney House sorry Sir Charles St. John Colthurst of Ardrum for the chunky bits of food in your nice manicured lawn. After a quick tour of the house by Daughter no. 2 and I we had to go home as daughter no 1 was going down hill fast. Bugger we can not have sick kids on holiday.

Best wishes to everyone, if it makes you all feel better those of you in cold old Melbourne it is freezing in Ireland.