Rouen, France

Rouen

French In Normandy - School

The Paddock, at the Conde Farmhouse

The House

Jolly


Pilot

Gus

Rouen

5hrs sleep, and I am up at 6am packed and stumbling towards Heathrow. Terminal 5 is home of British Airways. My boarding pass comes out on thermal paper, the same kind you get receipts from Tescos on, not such a bad idea, I suppose.

Bag weighs in at 24Kg and the woman does not bat an eyelid, which is great for me! I take the time to take in the architecture of the new Terminal, but really...its not that impressive at all. Inside the feeling of space is not as grande or impressionable as HK or Beijing 3, which are just massive to behold. No, Terminal 3 has the modern big glass and huge bolts and shackles of painted exposed metal inside, but it does not feel like a statement, which is what I expected. More just a functional new building. It also feels chaotic in some ways, not so calm for the tourist to wander through, or relax whilst waiting for flights, or a place to have some quiet whilst wishing away your hours til your delayed flight or transfer flight.

Boarding is ontime, but they do not let anyone onto the plane. Instead we are all backed up and cramped on the escalators and bridge walkways. The take off is delayed a futher hour and basically people are not impressed.

.............

Touch down in Paris. Immigration is very informal, the yawning French officer waving his hand under his chin a far cry from his British and Australian counterparts. Charles De Gaulle's old terminals are quite tired aged hippy looking now.

I am stopped by customs who ask me some questions, go through my things and wave me along.

The Roissybus service takes you straight to Paris past some very pretty areas of 17th and 8th districts before landing you right in the heart of the Opera district. Its a short walk from there to Gare St Lazare for the 1hr train to Rouen.

But, today its strikes, so I have to wait some 3hrs before I can leave Paris. I take the time to read a book on D Day and relax, its summer after all.

A few train changes and running along platforms with 35kg on my back later, I am sharing standing space only in a non airconditioned space with a local family and their screaming baby. Bliss.

The final arrival at Rouen is much welcomed - its great to finally hit my destination,put the feets up and even have a rare beer!!