We certainly achieved something today….We caught a taxi to Gare Lyon [a huge railway station] and found Hall 2 and our platform out of many. We met a couple of lady winemakers [in our carriage] with wineries in McLaren Vale SA who were travelling to Dijon with their mother who lives in the south of France.
The train was very comfortable and very quick as cars travelling on nearby roads were quickly overtaken.
Our train arrived in Dijon around 1.00pm, and as Europcar hire car was closed for lunch. so Michael had a baguette, and Dot a pastry for lunch. Off to the Tourist Information Office, with our baggage, where we arrange hotel some 150 metres away and on the edge of the Central business area. On leaving the Tourist Office, Dot noticed her shoulder bag was missing…….Michael rushes back to eating area outside patisserie inside rail station and with much relief finds the bag under the table…..all untouched thank God.
We book into a very comfortable room containing twins beds [King Size beds!!!!]. Much bigger and better value than the Paris Cittadine Hotel, although the Paris unit was much better sound proofed, as the noise from trams passing hotel outside and street noise is clearly heard in our room.
Dijon has a very modern tram system throughout the centre and surrounding villages…most impressive.
We head off and pick up the hire car a VW Golf sedan, which is manual. We drive for a while around the car park as Michael tries to come to grip with the sensitive manual gear box [6 + Reverse], trying not to stall. We head out of the car-park and go for a drive following some of the local traffic to get a feel for the street rules plus the car. Michael is somewhat stressed driving on the right hand side, and managed to turn into a street mall [no cars allowed] near our hotel. We cover around 16klm for our test drive and then park in the adjacent hotel underground park at a cost of 13 Euros we discover later.
On returning to our hotel we go for a wander through the centre of Dijon, which is a series of malls, visiting a number of spectacular cathedrals dating back to the very early centuries. In one we visit the crypt which was commenced in the 6th century, and in the other we sit and listen to an organist practicing.
We meander around the malls stopping for a good half hour or more having a large beer [needed after the driving exercise] and wine. Dot was successfully in engaging an elderly lady in French conversation…..she was having a beer with with a similarly aged lady.
We get back to the hotel dripping in perspiration as the temperature this afternoon has been 27 – 28C.
We head out for dinner meal a little bit latter this evening…getting more like the French….We find a little bar not far from the hotel…..We had some communication problems with the bar tender in ordering from the display board, the English copy I think……Dot orders Lobster Bisque and Michael orders Seafood au gratin. Immediately we placed our orders by pointing to the display board, the bartender heads across the road to a small supermarket and returns some minutes later with something in a plastic shopping bag.
We are wondering what we are going to receive!!!!!
Dot receives her Lobster bisque, but Michael receives curried Mussels and chips, which he has, as he is not sure what he would receive. Later at payment time and on checking the display board, Michael realises he has received the item above what he pointed to.
Both meals were tasty and after we head to the hotel and update the Blog for the past two days. Dot has flaked on the bed. Another toss and turning night on top of the doona, as it is very warm in the room.
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