I know that I missed a London update, but we stayed in the same apartment; literally the 'same apartment' as we stayed in last time we were in London - nothing blog worthy about that, had lunch at Marco Pierre White's Steakhouse and again nothing remarkable there, yes you heard me (Masterchef tragics that we are) it was just that; tragic ! *I have included Wayne's review.
We went to Shakespeare at the Globe 'as you like it' - it was great, entertaining (thank goodness I had a refresher thanks to Wikipedia) and even the weather favoured us.
An early start the next day and off to France - Eurostar to Paris and after a few hours, and a change of station from Gare du Nord to Gare Montparnasse - one side of Paris to the other (we have previously missed the TGV, so this time we took a taxi), cloaked our bags, had a lovely lunch and before we knew it - WE MISSED THE TRAIN TO BORDEAUX, again!!! Montpanasse 2 : Jones 0
We had a lovely night in Bordeaux, went to pick up the hire car, only to find it wasn't what we ordered (way to big for small French country roads) - so we had to drive (I use the term loosely) to the airport and change cars, all before we could start our journey to Gourdon.
Me driving, (in a fashion - left hand drive - ugly really) Wayne navigating we set off through the French countryside. We finally made it about 5pm, it was exactly as we remembered it, perfect !
We dumped our luggage and went to the supermarket for supplies, thankfully as unbeknownst to us NOTHING is open on a Sunday. So Sunday we were living our own version of 'old mother Hubbard' !
The weather is superb and watching the French Open' in real time is a treat.
Cheers m x
* Wayne's restaurant review: "I have eaten all over the world. I have had some amazing dining experiences. Lunch at Marco Pierre White's Steak and Ale House was certainly one of them!
Now, hold your horses - this review might not be what you're expecting - this was an amazing and memorable experience because it was so weird, and weird is not a strong enough word!
The decor is nothing sort of, well, not to put too fine a point on it - repulsive. The staff, well, they tried hard. Too hard, fawning, over attentive to the point of being extraordinarily obtrusive as they constantly sought reassurance about the quality of the food and their service.
The cutlery - don't start me. I think the average Australian Coles cafeteria (remember them) had better, you could bend the fork in half with your two little fingers! Just a word Marco, if you're going to serve steaks and provide steak knives, can you make sure they're sharp please?
Why would you serve tea in a dirty China tea pot, and in a thick poor quality coffee cup that I suspect you haven't been able to buy for at least 20 years? In fact, that sums up the whole place, slightly grubby, very tired - and a Mecca for bus tours for the over 60's.
Oh, the food, well surprisingly not that awful - my wife swears that that she ate some of the best onion rings she has ever had...
Marco, another suggestion - Dean Martin isn't really appropriate for a Steak and Ale House, oh, and what's with the "Ale House" label - that would imply to me a reasonably interesting range of beers - about the most exotic you could manage was a Guiness.
Do yourself a favour, Marco Pierre White's Steak and Ale House is a tourist trap - don't go there. Oh, and Marco, if you should think this review a little harsh - I'd suggest you visit your own property, and check it out for yourself."
