Last blog I reported that we had the printed internet train ticket but could not be sure how to get the real ones. True to form, the station where it may have been possible (the website was not clear, some stations can, others can't) was closed. Encouraged by a French lady co-traveller, we borded the train knowing that they would sort it out on-board.
They did sort it out. They even told me the station was closed because of illness. That's what happens when you employ only 1 person.... So what happened with the ticket? I had to buy another one! Interestingly it was cheaper than the one I bought on-line, but that could have been his error as we were well down the line by the time we bought the ticket.
Then at Paris we had to redeem the cost of the 2nd ticket. This involved queing for ages and another transaction that looked very similar to "paying yet again"; but I was assured it wasn't. "Can I buy an Metro ticket here?" I asked. No, it's the same station but a different company. Where have I heard that before?
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Saturday, 23 July 2011
These documents are not important
Now Credit Agricole bank in France consists (I think) of 4 regional banks. You can manage your account at your branch, but not easily from another one. In fact the branch here at Vitry cannot do anything for me when my local branch is in Chef Boutonne.
"You see, it's a different bank" I was told.
Quite so! In any case was persuaded to transfer my account to Vitry.
So it was this Saturday we called in by appointment to move the account. "Actually it is easier to open a new one", she said, "it is actually a different bank". Yes I know. But at least they can move all the standing orders and things like that automatically (actually I fear she will do this manually at our next rendez-vous on Saturday).
At the end of the 100 minute meeting, she put all the new documents in a folder for us. "These documents", she explained, "are not important. So I will put them at the back". The documents in question were the signed pieces of paper that acknowledged that we had given our phone numbers freely to the bank. There were several documents like that, some more important than others.
We were told that the French love paper. There is certainly plenty of it. They also love documents like passports and birth certificates. All dutifully photocopied and then scanned into the computer. Everyone found it complicated, from our hostess, to the trainee, and us, of course.
So now we have 2 bank accounts. In time we should be able to get it back to just 1. I hope so!
And so onto the station to find out about going to Paris for the day. It was closed. Strange because lunchtime was over, and any way, the station is one of the places that is open right through. The door presented the answer. "fermeture exceptionnelle" it announced. So we hunted for information and soon gave up. We booked on the web in the evening. Not sure how to get the tickets but I have the receipt printed and we shall see!
"You see, it's a different bank" I was told.
Quite so! In any case was persuaded to transfer my account to Vitry.
So it was this Saturday we called in by appointment to move the account. "Actually it is easier to open a new one", she said, "it is actually a different bank". Yes I know. But at least they can move all the standing orders and things like that automatically (actually I fear she will do this manually at our next rendez-vous on Saturday).
At the end of the 100 minute meeting, she put all the new documents in a folder for us. "These documents", she explained, "are not important. So I will put them at the back". The documents in question were the signed pieces of paper that acknowledged that we had given our phone numbers freely to the bank. There were several documents like that, some more important than others.
We were told that the French love paper. There is certainly plenty of it. They also love documents like passports and birth certificates. All dutifully photocopied and then scanned into the computer. Everyone found it complicated, from our hostess, to the trainee, and us, of course.
So now we have 2 bank accounts. In time we should be able to get it back to just 1. I hope so!
And so onto the station to find out about going to Paris for the day. It was closed. Strange because lunchtime was over, and any way, the station is one of the places that is open right through. The door presented the answer. "fermeture exceptionnelle" it announced. So we hunted for information and soon gave up. We booked on the web in the evening. Not sure how to get the tickets but I have the receipt printed and we shall see!
Monday, 13 June 2011
Bank Holiday Tourism
When there is a bank holiday in France, everyone wants the day off. So it was that when we played the tourist, most of the tourist locations were close. I am sure this suites the French mentality, it was a very cheap tourist day out!
It has to be said that the Charles de Gaulle memorial was open but we wanted just to visit the huge cross on the hill and to try and find his house. It turned out that the man was not born in the village where he is buried, but moved there and opened a restaurant of some sort. We could not visit it because it is now a tourist attraction, and closed on bank holidays. He went there partly for his daughter's health, but sadly she died aged 20 and is buried in the family tomb in the small cemetery next to the church.
CdG wanted a modest affair. It is almost, but there is also a large memorial in the centre of the cemetery and dozens of plaques along the wall.
We did not stay for lunch. Wherever we went we were plagued by thunder-flies. We elected for an early bank holiday return home.
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| Charles de Gaulle tomb, wife and daughter too |
CdG wanted a modest affair. It is almost, but there is also a large memorial in the centre of the cemetery and dozens of plaques along the wall.
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| Flies on the picnic bag- We had thought that this location was ok, but at least the yellow bag bunched most of them! |
Sunday, 12 June 2011
A 'Vitry' Parade
This weekend is a bank holiday. So this Saturday there is a brocante (jumble sale) and parade.
Since the parade goes right past our window, we were banned from parking near our house for a day!
Still it gave June an excellent viewpoint, whilst I elected to get some photos from a closer angle.
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| "La Mécanikabulle", a bubble making machine. |
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| The Serenade! |
"Most embarrassing" she said afterwards.
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| A Chinese Dragon embarrasses 2 girls by snuggling up |
Some more embarrassing moments for some.
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| Traditional band |
Some more photos from the day:
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| You can get too close! These are the "Chromoaptères" |
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| The local catholic church dancers |
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| "Karib'k" - very energetic! |
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| "Cie Magic Land" - very tall and frightening! |
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| Touching the dragon! |
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| Majorettes. <Click> if they are not dancing for you! |
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| "Char ACP"- A tough lot, the lady carries the tuba. |
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| Bobble blowing! <click> to see it in motion! |
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| Chromoaptère in motion <click> to see it move. |
A Wedding in France
We have been invited to a wedding in France. We have seen these as passers by but this is our first experience of one first hand. June was looking forward to driving through the village in convoy all sounding our horns. But this was the only thing lacking from a lovely afternoon and early evening.
The event starts at the Marie. Here the couple are legally married. The room is upstairs and far too small for us all so we wait outside the open doors taking it in turns to step forwards and snap a photo. Then down the narrow stairs where the bride and groom kiss everyone as they exit.
Once outside, and the photographers are waiting for the couple to appear and give the obligatory kiss to each other.
The next venue is a house down the road (hence the lack of car horns, we just needed to walk). The house and garden have been turned into an open-air location for the Christian ceremony.
Although it rained during the day, it kindly made sure we were all inside the Marie or under cover when it did so. After that it came out warm and sunny. So we were able to have the everyone-together big photo.
We had a full Christian ceremony because this is a 'church do'. Then champagne and snacks as everyone socialised and took more photos,
and listened to the accordion player who went round everyone making sure he serenaded us all. He even played a couple of English songs when he discovered our secret!
The French love their hair dressers and several ladies had special creations. Fortunately the bride outdid them all, as you can see here. Flowers are interwoven in the design.
You can be sure that I was not the only one to snap the hair creation.
As the evening wore on, the bride and groom found time for a moment together and we enjoyed more accordion playing.
And we finally left just before the sun was setting on the garden party and close family retired indoors for a late night…
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| Inside the Marie's office |
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| Outside the Marie's office |
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| Cameras at the ready! |
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| Just after the legal ceremony |
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| The kiss (one of 3 in fact) |
Once outside, and the photographers are waiting for the couple to appear and give the obligatory kiss to each other.
The next venue is a house down the road (hence the lack of car horns, we just needed to walk). The house and garden have been turned into an open-air location for the Christian ceremony.
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| The old house and grounds |
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| The group photo |
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| Everyone has their own photos |
The French love their hair dressers and several ladies had special creations. Fortunately the bride outdid them all, as you can see here. Flowers are interwoven in the design.
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| Hair creation |
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| The Accordion Player finds June and Mary |
As the evening wore on, the bride and groom found time for a moment together and we enjoyed more accordion playing.
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| A moment together |
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| Music |
Back to England
So we worked it out that going back to England would take a similar time to going down to the cottage here in France. Time to the boat is about 3½ hours. The boat is 1½ hours, and the travelling in England another 2 hours depending on our exact destination. About 7 hours in all compared to 6¾ to get to the cottage (includes 2 ✕ 20 minute stops).
Of course the boat was late and the M2 on the English side was closed, so too the junction from the M25 onto the M11; both of which we wanted. But we still arrived at mother's roughly when we expected to.
Some photos:
And it was great to see my side of the family. Apologies to all Martins and Gassons who we could not get to see this trip. Next time; promise!
Of course the boat was late and the M2 on the English side was closed, so too the junction from the M25 onto the M11; both of which we wanted. But we still arrived at mother's roughly when we expected to.
Some photos:
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| A walk round poppy fields |
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| Clare has to improve my photos if she can |
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| Dog interest |
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| Jon and Hina (and me if you look carefully) |
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| And back through the playing fields |
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| The trip home, in the wet! |
Monday, 16 May 2011
Fête des Societies à Vitry
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| The square as viewed from our window |
But in the event there was a little music through the day, and at 8pm they all went home for tea. Still only Saturday and most of the tents are down now. Not much happens on Sunday pm the remaining tents are still quiet. Perhaps it is all over already?
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