DAY 12 - PARIS (REST DAY)

As we had a rest day from our walk today, strolling around Paris with our delightful older daughter, today's regular walk update will be replaced by Random Rest Day Ramblings.

Enjoying our rest day in Paris

RANDOM REST DAY RAMBLINGS 

• We also have a splendid son, who prefers not to be mentioned in this blog, so we are not mentioning him.

Some essential information

• Toilets:  In provincial Normandy, we found one public toilet (in Auffay). On the plus side, there are many forests.  In Paris, we have found cemeteries not only interesting places for searching for famous people and war graves, but a great source of free clean toilets. 

 

• Foot Care:  The gel inserts that I have for the balls of my feet have proved excellent for avoiding the blisters that I received before inserting them.  We are searching for some for Russell.  Aunty June found us some microporous tape (39p at Boots, England; 3 euros in France) which is wonderful when rubbing develops - tape to prevent blisters.  The lambs wool (thanks Manny & Victoria) is useful for extra padding, and I have used it as shoulder pads to protect against rubbing from my backpack.   Another tip is to loosen your laces aroound the toes if rubbing develops there.

Foot care products for long-distance walkers: Victorian lambswool and microporous tape

• Dogs:  Every house in the country (and possibly in the city) has at least one.  Walkers are the highlight of their day - they bark madly and (usually) wag their tails.  We have had just a couple of incidents where unrestrained dogs showed undue interest - one was called off by the owner in the nick of time, the others lost interest.  There are interesting signs on many fences warning of the degree of dog savagery.

Watch out for the dog.  Running tally:  Postmen 6, Balls 17, Thieves 8

• Table d'hote:  On three occasions so far the hosts of the chambres d'hote have cooked specialities for us and it has been a highlight.  On the first occasion we ate homemade pate, foraged trumpet mushrooms with chicken, and apple crumble made from homegrown apples.  On the second occasion we had pate made from wild boar (shot by the host's friend), brioche stuffed with camembert and a version of French toast with apple and cream.  On the third occasion the host was Vietnamese and made us homemade spring rolls, chicken and rice and chocolate muffin with a caramel centre.  Often the hosts eat and talk with us, and it is a great way of connecting with people and a different culture.

Some regional specialities: Opera, Merveilleux and Paris-Brest

 

• Patisserie:  We had a slow start to our consumption, partly because we were recovering from colds and also adjusting to eating the large breakfasts (that are provided at the chambres d'hote).  On most days we eat a croissant and often a pain aux raisins as well - we usually have a fruit pastry for morning tea (so we get some healthy fruit); in Paris we have started exploring the wide variety of patisserie available.  It's all good!