For the Di fans

The last night in Rome with the Tour Group when Diana was saying goodbye

It's all the crazy one's fault - and that "one" is not me.

Jonathan's response "speechless"

Good news + odd things

Money in the bank!

We were advised yesterday ( but it was not backed up by action until today) that our travel insurance claim for the additional travel costs we incurred as a result of the general transport strike in Rome, has been paid in full.

Thank goodness!  

Now all I need - apart from a Lotto win - is a new set of knees.  

I'm sure we'll survive regardless.

A few unrelated images

Fortunately not our luggage

A welcome to Stockholm sign - and I love the stance on the young girl

This Swedish language sure is strange. 

 I won't tell you what my ( innocent) interpretation of this sign outside the ( unisex)  toilet was.  

How about Skum for fire extinguisher?

Hiss = lift 

Inefficient use of pram  - only ( !) 3 babies in this! Holly moley at a Central station!!

Cards at hotel.  Have seen lots of solo males with prams ( and babies)

Jonathan's favourite sign 

Hi there! On the street as you are walking along......

I assume this says no cyclists - I go by the symbol any day.

Just a few bikes - none chained that we saw (These in Copenhagen )

Have no idea what these ads are for but this character ain't no angel no matter what the language.  Go check the Cathedrals!

History Museum

Strange toilet signs in the History Museum

And then you find these very strange people (?)

Thanks all for your best wishes and kind words.  We love to hear from you.

Versailles

This is another beautiful place that  words fail to describe the emotions one feels as you gallivant along in this place / palace so far removed from anything approaching or resembling "ordinary" or "normal".

Another trip by train - this time by RER C (rather than Metro ) from Paris and this time, we were able to share it with Michael as well as the "London one", Emma.

Of course, to us, it was just like home.  We're so used to living in opulent surroundings with golden gates and a few hedges and things around the Chateau or two or three.  That's why we are so happy, so many people came to see our wealth and grandeur. What is the point of life if you can't flaunt your wealth and not care about others?

Let them eat cake I ( Marie Antoinette) say.  We did - and when the bill came Jonathan said "Holy catfish"  I won't tell you what the total cost was but one cappuccino was Euro 8.50 and we also had sandwiches/ baguettes........... ( If we weren't in the peasants category, we soon moved into it........but Angelina's is said to be  of the best pastries in Paris and we'll linger will that thought and taste .....) 

This is the temple of love

Just a side view of the old home - not its best side I agree.

A small view of one of the gardens

A better view

Close up of the fountain in the earlier pic

Just another angle

 A little canal or two - built when water was in very short supply

Michael had this super marvellous idea and the Euros to pay for this to drive around the gardens.  Unfortunately he left his licence behind so he couldn't drive the electric buggy.  J&J were happy to be on the back.  I wouldn't have covered the distance with my aching knees so was very, very grateful for this wonderful fun filled trip of more than 2 hours.

We had so much fun.  When we went over a bump ( many times) Emma said "This is pay back for messing up our colouring in book when we were driving from Mt Isa on holidays".

This was the lite work vehicle by the " Versailles office"

Another sample of the dozens of fountains

Just a short avenue down the way

Meanwhile, back on the inside of big and small mansions

More used to small folk

Just a small chapel

The peasants left feeling happy and headed for the RER C to Paris where alas they found us too!

Some were more exhausted than others on the train home.

And that is the end of our super duper wonderful time in Paris.

Michael returned to Melbourne, Emma back to London for a few days and J &J continue on with their gallivanting on their Magical Mystery Tour in dark, cold places......