An Early Start...

Lazy! While Simon rushes around, Emma pampers herself with a cuppa!
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0600hrs

An early start for the two intrepid explorers, we rose wearily from a rather restless slumber.  Emma had had a moment the evening before at the thought of being unable to understand the lingo, however the excitement of what lay ahead had meant that we'd put that behind us.

First phrase to master when travelling in France is certainly "Je ne comprends pas. J'ai anglais".

After a last minute dash by Simon to dry the majority of our suitcase, whilst Emma lazily supped a cuppa (see pic for evidence!), we were on our way... with an extra suitcase for wet goods.

Windy approach to Dieppe.
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0800hrs

Isn't Newhaven terminal a strange little place?!  For those of you who don't sail regularly, take note - the passenger check-in never opens!  If you wait for it to do so, you'll miss your boat.  Check-in with the freight!

The boat too is a rather quaint affair.  The majority of this enormous piece of floating metal is taken up with the technical stuff that makes it go (rather slowly).  The rest consists of a small cafeteria, bar and three sick filled lounges.  If you can manage to get to sleep before the 5 year old pukes, you're well away.  If not, prepare to feel rather unwell yourself.  Needless to say, I slept, Em didn't!

I'm a little teapot.
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1400hrs

On arrival at Dieppe we walked the reported 500m to the train station.  The train station is in fact about 1 1/2 miles away and with three suitcases and cobbled stones, proved quite the initiating challenge.  Dieppe however is a beautiful little port town and though only passing through, it was a pleasant meander.

Note to the not so wise - when picking up train tickets, do not attempt to use the automated machine in Dieppe train station.  This is not necessarily due to the fact that it doesn't work (however I'm not sure that it does), but more the fact that the difficulty in working it draws attention from staff who then, as you'd expect, try to help... suprisingly, in French!  First phrase to master when travelling in France is certainly "Je ne comprends pas. J'ai anglais".  A flustered Simon braved the ticket office instead.

The train pulls in at Rouen... something... something.
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1600hrs

Train is certainly the way to travel in France.  Comfy, spacious and absolutely bloody enormous!  Double decker trains are really quite impressive!

1900hrs

After arriving at the hotel, we took a stroll in the local neighbourhood, walking from Porte de Versaille to Vaugirard and back and spotted our target patisserie for the morning's pain-au-chocolat.  Coming back towards the hotel we ventured to a nearby restaurant where our waiter took a shining to Emma - good service was assured!

Our bed for the week.
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2200hrs

We came back to the hotel, sat by the indoor swimming pool and had a drink before bed... An early night - ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......