As usual, our first stop was Chartres, where we stayed in the Hotel Chatelet. The hotel is right in the centre of Chartres and has parking, so is ideal for us with a boot full of wine. The weather for our journey was not good and we drove through heavy rain for much of the day.
The weather improved as we reached Chartres, so we were soon out for a walk and to find a good meal at L'Escalier, a nearby restaurant.
Afterwards, we walked around the city centre
and passed Les Halles.
On the next day, We travelled on to London where we spent the first night at James' flat before moving into a flat about 20 minutes walk to Helen's. The flat is absolutely perfect for us: one bedroom, lounge, kitchen and bathroom.
We kept very busy while we were there, seeing Ernie everyday one way or another. Over the weekend, we could give Helen and Nick some time together and during the week, we could look after Ernie for a day or save them a race home to the childminder on the days that he was there.
Most days, we would take him to the the park, out for a babyccinno (cappuccinno without the coffee) or out with his bike or scooter, or just for a walk so that he could stamp on the grids, stroke cats or chase pigeons.
One rainy day, we took a bus, a tube and a train to get to a large shopping centre at Stratford (close to the Olympic Park) on a rainy day, where he could run around. When we arrived, we spotted some super red cars for little ones to ride in, so that was it, the buggy was not required.
Later, we went to Discover, a children's story and play centre. Although it was cloudy and drizzling from time to time, Ernie wanted to play outside for most of the time. He has a fascination for taxis, even wooden ones.
Another showery day, we went to the London transport museum in Covent Garden. Ernie enjoyed seeing and sitting in the buses and underground trains and seeing the model trains running backwards a forwards, as well as his usual running up and down slopes. Here he is driving a London bus.
In the evenings, we had several trips to the excellent jazz club close to the flat, went to the local theatre close to Finsbury Park station to see 'Bomber's Moon' and 'The man who shot Liberty Valance', both were very good and went up to Sycamore House, our favourite restaurant in Cambridge, to have a meal with friends.
We drove via Alsace on our way back to do some walking and pick up some wine from our usual vigneron in Mittlebergheim. We have been visiting the same vigneron for 24 years and this was the first time that we were not presented with a long list to sample.
Having become a bio wine producer, he has become so success very little wine to sell! We were lucky enough to be invited to taste wines not yet in bottle and left an order to be sent on. We also brought several cases home with us.
During the day, we went for our usual walks in the forest and around the villages.
Now we are back at home and preparing for our next trip to the Loire.
