And so, back to France!

Monday, 27 September 2010

Bonjour encore une fois!

Yes, that’s right, we’re back in France! Up this morning about 6, and down to the lobby by 6:30 a.m. R was waiting with the luggage at 7 a.m. when right on the dot, the water taxi driver showed up! It was an interesting morning, as there was a great deal of lightning to the south, with rolling clouds and sporadic rain drops all around! Quite a feat to get luggage AND Mom on the boat all in one piece, but we managed and then sat back for a really lovely boat ride! We went down the Grand Canal and then crossed through on a canal that ran to the right of the Hotel Londra Palace and popped out near Ospitale vaparetto stop. From there it was high speed past Murano and right to the dock of Marco Polo Airport! It was a splurge, but definitely a must with Mom and luggage – really glad we did it!

Arrived at Marco Polo about 7:30 a.m. and had to wait 15 or 20 minutes to be able to check in our luggage to Paris Orly Airport. Had some breakfast – sandwiches and Mom had an “American” cup of coffee, so all was well, the proceeded to the gate. Somehow once again we managed to grab the two front aisle seats across from each other, with Mom in the aisle seat behind Robert – makes us literally the first ones off the plane! Ride was fine; very short, something like an hour and 20 minutes. Landed about noon, luggage off quickly and then we took the Orly Val shuttle train to Orly Ouest (we landed at Orly Sud, but all the rental cars at at Ouest). Picked up the Hertz car with no problem, and then headed out towards Ermenonville. Drove the Périphérique heading north and then headed out towards Charles de Gaulle. I hadn’t wanted to stop for lunch until we were outside of Paris, so just stopped at a McDonald’s at the exit to Ermenonville. That way we would still have room for dinner!

Back at the Chateau d’Ermenonville once again – and it’s just lovely! They are working on updating the rooms and the facility, and things are looking noticeably spiffier than last time we were here a year or so ago. We really do love this place, and Mom had also wanted to return, as we brought her here some years ago. We’ve got rooms 209 and 210 on the second floor, and they’re lovely! Beautiful bathroom fixtures, and a GREAT tub that I’m going to use tomorrow! Nicely decorated, good lighting and warm – what more could we ask for?! Took a walk around the grounds; just lovely. Trees starting to turn colors, and it is definitely fall here now, not summer! Brrrr…! Had a glass of wine in the lounge and then back upstairs for a rest before dinner.

Out again about 6:30 and to Chantilly for dinner. We had hoped to eat at the wonderful hotel/restaurant across the street from the Chateau, but of course, it being Monday – they’re closed! So, drove into Chantilly and past the chateau and equestrian center and into town. Found a hotel restaurant on a corner called L’Avenue and their menu looked good. But WOW – their food was TERRIFIC! Incredible presentation and a great ending to all our wonderful dinners in France and Italy! I had a starter of tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and parmesan cheese with balsamic vinegar. R had smoked salmon with eggplant caviar – said it was great. Mom ordered a large Salade Italienne, which included prosciutto, tomatoes, mozzarella, melon and lettuce – said she enjoyed it very much! R’s main course was duck breast cooked medium rare which came coated in a poppy seed/sesame seed crust – many of which managed to get stuck between his teeth! This was served with mashed potatoes. My main course was chicken breast in a great sauce with more mashed potatoes with marinated tomatoes and lettuce. YUM! Mom’s dessert was a huge dish of berries – black, blue, rasp and straw – on top of a serving of raspberry sorbet, all topped off with Chantilly cream. R’s dessert had the same basic berries, only with a strawberry coulee, a scoop of raspberry sorbet AND more Chantilly cream. All in all, a great way to wind up a terrific 90th birthday trip!

Back in the hotel now, and settled in for the night. Our plan is to be out the door at 7 a.m. for an early check-in at CDG. Now let’s just hope we can find the rental car return this time…
Lots of love,
m
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