100 000 steps in London and France

Usually my hikes are weeks or even months apart. Typically there is lots of recovery time in between. The WCT is going to be 6 long days of nothing but hiking with no recovery day in between. I'm mildly concerned about that. I had the chance to try out 3 days of strenuous walking when I was given the opportunity to go last minute to Paris. Long story, but it happened that Ed found two cheap tickets to London for Erica and Bentley. We thought we'd give it to them for a graduation gift. We planned for them to take the Chunnel to France and go to the Paris Temple open house. When Erica suggested I go as well, Edward found me a ticket and 8 days from that time we were in London, England. We arrived at 10 am Tuesday morning and we were able to see Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Street, The London Eye, The Thames and Buckingham Palace and Green Park. We ate lunch at a place called The Laughing Halibut.

At 5:30 p.m. we took the Eurostar to France. Erica slept most of the way.

 I enjoyed watching out the window as we flew past the countryside at 300 km/h. I actually fell asleep in the chunnel and slept for a while. We got to Paris at 8:30 pm Tuesday night and took a cab to our hotel (Novatel in the 18th Arrondissement). We were exhausted and went to sleep as soon as we checked in. The next morning when I looked out our window there was a homeless encampment right outside. Thank you Ed for booking us into such a classy hotel.

We took an UBER to Versailles to tour the Paris Temple.

Then we walked to Palace Versailles. It is ginormous. 

After touring that we took the metro back to Paris and visited the Louvre.

By the time this day was done, we walked almost 21 km. We had supper at an Italian restaurant a few blocks from the Louvre. It was delicious. Then we took an Uber back to our hotel. The next morning (Thursday) we had tickets for the Catacombs. We took the metro. This was fascinating and one of my favourite parts of our trip. I highly recommend it. 

Then we took the train up to Montmartre where we toured the Basilique du Sacre Coeur. It was beautiful. My camera died so I have no pictures of this.

We waited in line for a public toilet for about an hour. Then we walked to Moulin Rouge and took a picture before taking the train back to Notre Dame.

Then the Eiffel Tower. We walked up the 700 steps to the second level where we took the elevator to the top. The view was beautiful.

Then we walked down and went to the Arc de Triomphe. We climbed that and watched the lights come on on the Eiffel Tower.

By this time we were cold and tired and hungry so we took the train to our favourite pizza place and ate before taking UBER back to our hotel.

We had to be back at the Eurostar at 6:15 the next morning. Our UBER driver had assured us that UBER was very reliable so we went to bed hoping we could get an UBER at 6 in the morning. Amazingly, we did. However the train station customs department was moving very slow and we got into our seats with 8 minutes to spare.

Back in London, we went to Tower Bridge, the HMS Belfast and the Tower of London. Then we walked to the British Museum.

Then we ate at McDonald's (mozza sticks anyone?) and went to Picadilly Square. It was under construction and there wasn't much to see. The kids were exhausted so we went to our hotel Hilton Garden Suites Heathrow and went to bed. We flew home Saturday morning and landed at 3:30 pm. It was a whirlwind trip. We walked close to 20 km a day for three days. I got a taste of what it's like to walk with no recovery days. I was fine. All in all, it was a whirlwind trip with no nearly enough time for eating the delicious foods in France or digesting the history and architecture. The baguettes, cheese, eclairs, pizza, crepes... I could have spent a lot more time in restaurants. We just didn't have time. There was so much to see. But when I go back, and I will go back, I will skip all the touristy stuff and meander through neighbourhoods, browse markets, and while away the afternoon people-watching at a café while stuffing my face with eclairs and baguettes.

Bring it, WCT. I'm ready for you. 3 months to go.