Sunday, June 24, 2007

Memories from France: Bordeaux

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The farmhouse we stayed in was let on a Saturday to Saturday basis but the flights from Ireland were only available a few days a week and not a Saturday so we planned to travel on a Friday, spend the night in Bordeaux then travel on to the house. However when we went to book it was €150 per person cheaper to travel on a Thursday so we took the cheap flights, booked a hotel in the centre of Bordeaux and got to spend a day wandering around the city.

No offence to Bordeaux but with children one day is enough. We had read that you could take a boat trip so found the tourist information to make enquiries only to be told that the boat trip takes place on the first Sunday of every month. Yes folks you heard right, once a month. We then asked what was available that children would enjoy and were told that there was a small, electric train the ran about four times a day. That's all, one train running four times a day and a monthly boat trip.

Ben and Dillon (with the camera) went off with their Grandad to look at the river and Joules and I went with Mollie who wanted to shop. Shoe shop. Yes I have a daughter with a shoe fetish. She wanted silver crocs. Crocs are very expensive in Ireland and even more so in France. The more I explained that all her money would be spent on the first day and that her Grandma was visiting Canada soon and could get her some cheaper crocs the more she told me I was a bad mother for not letting her buy what she wanted on her holiday. Eventually we stumbled into the cheaper area and Mollie, by now on a mission to find a pair of shoes similar to some I had purchased last year in New York, continued to drag us into every shoe shop. Finally we found some really unusual silver shoes for €5 and Mollie had a huge grin on her face. Seconds later she found the New York shoes for only €12. Mollie heaven, two pairs of shoes for €17. Joules and I wandered around and I found my dream bike for sale for only €130 but there was no way I could squeeze it into my suitcase then it was time to meet the rest of the family at the Cathedral for a late lunch.

In the afternoon I got to wander around a French hypermarket. I love French hypermarkets, where else could you buy a motor bike, video camera, clothes, phones, suitcases, garden furniture, household goods etc all under one roof, I could have bought loads of stuff only my suitcase wasn't big enough!

Bordeaux would make a lovely weekend break (without children) but I was ready to travel east and find our holiday home.

15 comments:

Yvonne said...

Great photos Beccy. Never been to Bordeaux - but I remember that a lot of cities in France are not that child friendly from childhood visits with my parents. Like Mollie I spent most of my time shopping!

ChrisB said...

Dillon took some very good photos. Glad Mollie got some shoes- me thinks she is a lot like her mother was at that age!!!

Anonymous said...

...and I continue to live vicariously through my bluddies :). GREAT pictures! Not a lot of time not to read, but I'll try soon.

Crocs are about $30 here...I wish I understood the currency conversion...

Welcome back :).

Beccy said...

Thanks Hellojed, I haven't seen much of France apart from Paris which has plenty of attractions children would enjoy.

Mum, I never had as many pairs of shoes as Mollie has!

Robin, crocs here are €40, $30 is about €22 so they are much cheaper over there. In France they were €45!

Steffi said...

Wonderful pictures!I love to see your pictures from your vacation there.

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

Great photos, but I am with Mollie on this one! Shoe shopping is definitely a must on holiday! I want to see the shoes now!

sallywrites said...

I agree about any city with children
Holiday resorts are much better, however beautiful the city!!
I do like Bordeaux to visit though. I have some longstanding friends there, having visited it on a school exchange MANY years ago!

Sam said...

WHere are the shoes? I came looking for pictures of SHOES!

I went on an exchange to Brodeaux too but luckily I didn't even stay there one days cos the family whisked me off to their holiday home in Landes near Biarritz instead and I wasn't complaining - maybe they knew something...

Sam said...

PS I had a pizza which turned out to have anchovies on it at Bordeaux airport in 1980 which caused me to throw up all over the lovely sawdust floor in an artisanal corn-dolly shop.

Anonymous said...

I like your photos! I'm afraid my little girl may turn out to have a shoe shopping addiction much like her mother....

frannie said...

did Dillion take the photo of Ben looking down at the water? I ask because you said that he had the camera. it is a great shot. one of my faves!

good for Mollie finding a deal!

my4kids said...

Great Photos I like the one of Ben standing in the water with his reflection.
Kenzie is also has a shoe fetish I know what you mean.....

la bellina mammina said...

WOW! Gorgeous photos Beccy!

Julie said...

I've never seen silver crocs - they sound fun though - no wonder Mollie wanted them! Did you have any good wines while in Bordeaux? Isn't that region famous for their wines? And I think I want to go to French Hypermarket - sounds like shopping heaven! : )

Anonymous said...

Those are some gorgeous photos, Beccy!
I especially like the one with Ben's reflection and the sky.
It's great to have you back!