Monday 27/06/2016 – Wednesday 29/06/2016 – A Tale of 2 Birthdays

Back in Combourg it was time to celebrate two birthdays. Daniel and myself.  For once there was time to relax and appreciate the countryside around Combourg (and prepare for the trip to  Lyon.  Thanks to pre-planning and the French postal service I had a plethora of cards and a beautiful cake to enjoy with Bob.

Even the predatory heron wasn't able to spoils the celebration!!

Sunday 26/06/2016 – My new friend Mr Urdd

Before catching the train Danny met a new friend from Cymru who as out for breakfast. He and Mr Urdd exchanged addresses to stay in touch and enjoyed a croissant and orange juice together.

Saturday 25/06/2016 – A walk in the park

Match day of the Round of last 16 v Northern Ireland.  Mike, Bob’s brother is arriving today by Eurotunnel and leaving tomorrow at 7.00am to make the return journey to Cardiff.  Pre-match a bus ride to the Jardin de Luxembourg and a walk around this large park in central Paris. 

Danny thought that Daniel and Joseph would like it here as they would be able to go horse riding. 

Danny was really surprised by the hidden garden, you walk through the park and then as you think you’re leaving the ‘hidden garden’ appears.

We also came across the famous poem, 'Le Bateau Ivre' by Arthur Rimbaud.

What better way to round off a walk in the park than a last-16 win 1 – 0 over Northern Ireland. 

Friday 24/06/2016 – A walk around Paris

08.12 so yet again Danny and I on the train out of Combourg to Rennes and then onward to Paris Montparnasse. 

On arrival Danny checked out the hotel and was able to go for a fly in the central courtyard before we went to explore. We came across some street art on our way to collect the tickets.

It's thirsty work collecting tickets so Danny had is first visit to a Parisien café, he thought the coffee was fantastic.

Danny really wanted a ride on a bateau on the Seine but this time I said no but we watched them for a long time.

Thursday 23/06/2016 – One says “Goodbye” another says “Hello”

Today was a sad day as we had to say Goodbye to Clive as he was returning to Sheffield;

Danny had a tear in his eye.  A couple of hours later Danny was saying “Hello” to Bob when he arrived from Madrid.

Wednesday 22/06/2016 - Bye, bye Toulouse

Time to say goodbye to Toulouse and make the journey home via Bordeaux.

Danny remembered to post Daniel's birthday card.

Tuesday 21/06/2016 – Remember Daniel’s birthday!!

Yet another well-deserved day of rest this time around the beautiful city of Toulouse with its narrow streets. 

Danny reminded me that it’s Daniel’s birthday on Monday so we should buy him a card today as it is a long way from Toulouse to Handforth (even for a dragon). 

When we stopped for a drink Danny was very excited writing “Happy Birthday” to Daniel.  There was a music festival in Toulouse so we listened to a fantastic Corsican choir rehearsing and had a long walk along the river bank. 

This afternoon Germany were playing Northern Ireland in the final group game so we went along to watch. 

As usual Danny made some new friends who told us all about life in Germany.  After a tiring it day it was time for bed.