Dudley Black Country Museum. Midlands equivilent of Disneyland

Jenny at Symonds Yat

Forest of Dean. Day Two. Sculpture trail. Michael and Alex plan a short cut.

Michael Rudge's cultural tour of Europe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YILkke6-pg

Lost in forest of dean. I told them not to let Jenny near the map.

More bloody gondilers .. I mean narrow boats. (the other way was the village cricket game)

More culture, Coughton Court. Hosted the gunpowder plotters in 1600 ish. Dave and Mac head for cafe.

The pace of the holiday has changed

The Russies arrive in London. Apparently some sporting event here soon.

Michael enjoys Versailes Palace

Dave hops in queue for confession.

Paris parking 101: this guy failed for leaving to much of a gap.

Michael hides his enthusiasm for another big old french house

Versailles. A definite candidate for off season mountain biking.

Dave finally fits in some cycle training. Bois du Bologne, Paris.

A day on the move -750km from Nimes to Paris

Not a fun day. 2 to 5 lanes, with 130km signs everywhere. More of a suggested minimum really. I got to enjoy our hired Dacia Duster. Dacia being that well known Rumanian car company famous for their suspension and gear boxes developed for 50's soviet tractor fleets. Still we made it

Pont d'Arc -I am sure it was quieter when I worked here.

It was busy in the eighties but nothing like this. Tourist nightmare.

Old meets new - concert stage set up in roman amphitheatre

Nimes, Saturday. Did the roman tour. Amphitheater and maison carre, then headed for the hills & gorge of the Ardeche.

Roman ruins - Pont du Gard. Michael has had enough culture

Having done 11th - 12th century French in the morning, we now do roman. Luckily by river so swim time. Good news, Akon concert cancelled. Shame, Emma was so looking forward to it.

More old stuff ... I mean culture. Palais du Pape - Avignon

Late start, up at crack of 10. Another "Jenny" route to Avignon for brekkie. A wander and then the tour of the Palais. Next stop, Pontiac du Gard for a bit more culture and a swim.

Bastille Day #2. wander round Nimes and dinner.

Great evening in Nimes. Families out en masse. Night market, fair and even a gladiator show (Nimes has roman amphitheater). Dinner at cafe with warring buskers. Emma very excited as Akon on at amphitheatre tomorrow. Who?

Bastille Day #1. Hill work. Got to earn my red wine.

Managed to turn at 3hr drive from Nice to Nimes into a 10 hr epic via mountain passes, castles and a swim in the lake.

Fwd: Brekkie on Bastille Day

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Day 3 a- Bit Of Culture

After a long day out in Italy / San Remo on Tues, it was Antibes today. Bit of a late start but wE saved 5 euro going by bus, which was over full & slow. Wandered round old city and Picaso museum before heading back (train) to pick up hire car. Need to work on Jenny's navigation as a quick to beach had us miles in wrong direction. Late swim at Cape Ferret(?) with the rich folk.

Day two - San Remo

Tuesday so it must be Italy. Had to earn my beer by walking the old town. Hopped of the return train for a quick lap of Monaco and dinner overlooking Palais. Hopefully Jenny will allow us ten minute relaxing time later in week.

Quality time at Bangkok airport

France & UK here we come

Will be providing familt holiday updates of glorious weather, french cuisine and UK family get-togethers over next four weeks. Watch this space.