Day 30-32

Bob’s Sabbatical

Day 30 -32, September 29 – Oct. 1, 2009

 

September 29. I’ve been gone
from Franklin for a month!  We are up
early to drive to Koln (Cologne). 
Breakfast at Castle, then hit the road. 
GPS is unhappy with me because we drive along the Rhine, instead of
heading for the freeway.  Pass by large
rock – place of the Loreley legend, where blonde woman combing her hair and
singing lured sailors to crash on the rock. 
Managed to get to train station in Cologne, bought beer and sandwiches
for lunch on the train.  Wonderful ride
through Belgium to Paris.  Had dinner and
walked to Notre Dame, then hit the sack.

 September 30. 
I am up early, and go out for coffee and newspaper – wonderful!  Sarah takes us on a tour of neighborhood,
Latin Quarter, Pantheon, Sorbonne, Luxembourg Park (plays same role in Paris as
Central Park does in NYC).  Lunch with
Sarah’s friends and their 2-month old daughter. 
After lunch, we split up.  I go to
Egouts Museum (Sewer system).  Meet Sarah
and Chris for dinner (small restaurant, husband is chef, wife does the rest), near
Eiffel Tower.

October 1.  Have to leave for airport at 7:15 am.  I go out for coffee at 6:15 – nothing open!  Try again at 6:45 – same result. Paris is
obviously a night town, not a morning place.

Arrive Edinburgh.  Rent car. 
I go to open the driver-side door – no steering wheel.  Oh, that’s right, it is on the other side
here.  This is going to take some time
getting used to.  For once I am glad to
have three ‘back-seat drivers” with me. 
Head north into Highlands – unbelievable landscape with sheep
everywhere.  Loch Kinord Hotel is quaint place,
near gliding club.  Young couple have
renovated it. Great way to end a stress-full (my driving on the wrong side of
the road) day.