Another amazing day..... It started off pretty routine with a Baguette for breakfast at our AirBnB stay. An old family holiday house that an Aussie couple live in with their two rascal (in a cute way) twin boys. Goats, oversize chickens, creaky floors and plumbing from the 19th century (The pipes ran along the skirting in our room and the cold tap next door created an awesome harmonic at a certain point). A very different stay to the night before, but an intrigui...

A rare sleep in (Shattered) then down to breakfast in the dining room of the mansion.... We couldn't look yesterday, as retired Dr husband was painting. He could barely speak a word of English, but through his wife proudly showed us the 'Home' type magazine they had grabbed the colour scheme from - (Which was a stately mansion), and he was doing a great job of replicating it. High ceilings, panelling, classic furniture, amazing timber fireplace and a delicious s...

After a quick 12k run around the sights of Paris - Le Tower, Arc, Champes, Invalides, Louvre - you know, just the everyday kind of run...we sadly had to pack up and make our way to pick up a hire car. Sylvie, our host, had left us breakfast as usual so we munched our croissant's and started lugging our suitcases across Paris (It wasn't too bad, actually) after a quick goodbye. We had worked out the Metros by then to avoid the pickpocket mecca's so had an easy und...

Paul ventured out for 21km through the forests. Spectacular views and mostly empty forests. Trails everywhere. Yvonne ventured in and snoozed until 9AM. After breakfast we clambered into the two cars, with Yvonne and Nicola riding in the open topped mini with Lisa, and Paul keeping his hair straight with the sensible ones (Including Aunty June and Uncle Les) with David in the Range Rover. We headaed off arnmed with Lisa's extensive packed lunch to Ongar, for a t...

After a 12km run through the forests around Basildon (And there are lots of them - quite impressive!), Yvonne and I walked Matthew and Nicola to (high) school (Slinking away at the appropriate time). A pleasant walk in yet another sunny day. Back home to get ready for the trip to Leigh on Sea for shopping in the high street, then on to Southend on Sea for 'high tea'. Shopping was a mix of exclectic trinket shops and some chain stores. Even for a non-shopper lik...