Well hello from the busy seaside town of Nice.
It is after midnight as we write this, so may have to finish it tomorrow...
We set off from Aix fairly early this morning and caught a bus that was about 90 minutes earlier than we had booked, but they were very flexible in allowing us to get on the earlier one. We felt the need to leave Aix early as we needed to bus it to the TGV station during peak hour traffic and then find our platform and car number, so we felt more at ease at least getting to the TGV station nice and early. Had a pleasant train journey to Nice, stopping at several stops along the way, Toulon, Saint Raphael and Cannes, much of the journey hugging the Mediterranean coastline. Was very nice indeed.
Pulled into Nice in the heat of the day (as per usual) and quickly found our way to the hotel we had booked. When we arrived at the hotel, we discovered the proprietor was out and left a phone number on the door for people to contact her on. We don't have a phone with us, so that was no good. Kym went searching for some lunch while Rod guarded the bags. Eventually some girls came back from shopping and let Rod into the hotel via an entry code. Whilst in the lobby, Rod discovered the room number and found the doors to the room wide open, and so had a quick look around. It really was not up to standard (and our standards aren't too high), but this one failed the test big time. So, just as we were about to check ourselves into the hotel, we checked ourselves straight back out. We might lose the first night's tariff, but we weren't going to sleep in what was something akin to a youth hostel but with our beds backing onto the other side of the front door (which we assumed would be opening and closing ad banging all night). The front door probably wasn't the only thing that would be banging all night. That hotel was not air conditioned, which ordinarily would not worry us, but during this heatwave, was a necessity. Tripadvisor.com has for the first time let us down (it seems).
So, we put the packs back on and walked around a bit and have now found a 3-star hotel which is not too bad at all - Hotel Lafayette. The biggest selling point was the room was icy cold when we inspected it. We were sold. Our Aix hotel had cooling, but it struggled. This cooling was perfect. So, a good night's sleep is anticipated tonight.
Went for a big long walk tonight right along the Promenade des Anglais which was really, really nice. The weather was extraordinarily warm and so heaps of people were out - this was still about 11pm then. The only slight disappointment with the promenade today is that they have chosen to use energy-efficient light bulbs along it, and it has lost a lot of the old charm it used to have. Not being negative, just a mere observation. Kym quite rightly suggests there is plenty of sun here most of the year to generate solar power anyway.
The time got away from us and it is now well after midnight. Have a full program tomorrow and Susie L, I have sent a note to the Parfumery you kindly suggested. We are trying to get in tomorrow, even though I sent the email after business hours and hence after the cut-off, as the following day is Bastille Day and they may be closed. Thanks so much for the suggestion. Kym LOVES the idea of being able to make her own perfume. I hope we get the chance.
Bon Soir to all!
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