Made it to Paris.
Got through French immigration
Ubered to hotel
Had lunch
Crashed
After a couple hours we ventured out.
Stopped at a local place for Happy Hour
We will have an early night tonight
Paris
Off to Paris
This afternoon we started our adventure. The first leg is a flight to Paris where we have plans to stay two nights.
Got to the airport with plenty of time to spare.
We even had time for a Leopold’s Ice cream
Delta to Detroit then Air France to Paris.
Just made it to the next plane, now off to Paris.
I’ll post again tomorrow.
The Day Before We Leave
Hoping that we will have everything ready for tomorrow’s departure.
Battle of the cell phones: Tina has always been an iPhone user; I am an Android user. For this trip the differences widened. Although we both have changed to Mint mobile for mobile network we have elected to take different approaches while in Europe. Tina is using Minternational and I will be using Orange Travel.
Minternational is a prepaid international roaming add on. Tina can download a number of passes each good for ten days.
Orange Travel is a separate French sim card that is good for Europe. I have to load an eSim card, turn off my Mint Mobile eSim. I will also have a French phone number (OOO- LA LA).
So far I think Tina is willing the battle of the cell phones.
I think we are ready.
- We are packed
- We have ourpassports
- We are checked in for our flight
- We have a car arranged to take us to the airport
I am sure that I am missing a bunch of stuff
And, for anyone following this blog, I promise to start adding photos. That being said I can’t resist adding a photo.
A couple months ago Tina was visiting New England and I was home in South Carolina. About 6:00 am I heard a pounding on the front door. I checked the Ring camera and didn’t see anything. Another pounding. I opened the door and saw this guy.
Camino Countdown 2
What started as a good day hit a wall. Did a couple miles around Hampton Hall then stopped at the gym. All good
Originally this post had details of a challenging day. I deleted it because nobody wants to hear about it. And, I don’t want to see it.
OK! No more complaining.
Camino Countdown
Over the past few years after I walked the Camino Portuguese I talked about it so much that Tina suggested that we walk the Camino Frances together. For better or worse, that is what we are planning to do. The date of departure is next week. That is not to say that we have not done a bunch of prep.
Stuff started:
- We got an exercise plan from the trainer at the gym
- We have been walking distances – sometimes the humidity in the Low Country has been a killer
- Tina booked 42 nights of acomodation along the Camino
- We watched Camino videos on YouTube
- We booked flight and train to the starting point at Saint Jean Pied de Port in France
- We arranged to have all bills paid via autopay
- Made a trip to REI and bought stuff
- etc etc etc
I did have one disappointment. I bought some fancy Tevas as an alternative to the trail runners. I have found that I need an alternative from time to time.
But, now that the trip is on the horizon, I am getting some butterflies. What have I not done and what do I need to do that I didn’t consider. In the words of the Ploughman Poet:
But Och! I backward cast my e’e,
On prospects drear!
An’ forward, tho’ I cannot see,
I guess an’ fear!
Tina will tell you that I like nothing more that to bore people to tears reciting “Rabbie Burns”
Now is the time we need to get serious
Things done:
- Got Euros
- Got and installed Air Tag
- Checked Passports
- Arranged the first leg of luggage transfer
- Got train tickets out of Paris
- Installed eSim card
- Arranged for transport to Airport
Things to be done:
- Get eSim card for Europe
- Check into flight – not until next week
- Things I have forgotten about
I have to remember “The Camino will provide”
Last day and back to Bluffton
This promises to be a clear sunny day in the high 80’s. It will be a great day to do a little more exploring around Aiken then motor home.
But first, breakfast:
Aiken is the location of Hopeland Gardens. This is a large park like area with numerous walking trails.
It is also the location of the thoroughbred racing museum
A day to explore Aiken
There are three things that seem to be the focal point at the hotel. I suspect that these three things will be the center of attention in Aiken. These are horses, golf and dogs.
Explored the shops of Aiken. Found a cooking shop with some interestingly named BBQ rubs and hot sauces.
Aiken is a quaint relaxing place
Noticed a house rule
The one compliment is that there were a group of guys making a lot of noise in the hallway in the middle of the night.
Redcliff Plantation and The Willcox
The first stop on our adventure was Redcliff Plantation. Redcliff is our friend Kit s ancestral home. Built by his great great grandfather in the early 1800’s. It is now a State Historic Site.
We were treated to a personal tour by Jordan, the resident Park Ranger.
The interior is filled with original artifacts from the property.
It was a delightful experience.
From Redcliff Plantation we ventured to Aiken, South Carolina and checked into The Willcox, a very grand hotel.
Had a light dinner in the Willcox dining room, had an entertaining waiter. Finished at the lobby that is known locally as the “Aiken living room”
The Willcox is dog friendly.
Back in our room we noticed that tomorrow’s weather forecast is on the side table alone with cookies.
A Short Adventure
This morning we will be traveling to Aiken, South Carolina. We will be traveling with our friends and neighbors, Kit and Karen Hammond. Kit is a native of Bluffton and Savannah. I am looking forward to experiencing the lore, legends and history of South Central South Carolina. Aiken is also the center of southern pure bred horse breeding and training. This promises to be a grand adventure. Photos, stories and pontifications to follow.
Car Club Outing
The Hampton Hall Car Club had an outing to Fort Pulaski today. Probably one of the windiest days of the year. But, it turned out to be a great event.
Fort Pulaski was built after the War of 1812 when US Congress realized that all the ports had no defenses. The highlight of the fort’s history is the taking of the facility by Union Troops during the Civil War. It was taken over by the Confederates after the secession. It was a very short battle. The 1812 fort design technology of the fort was no match to 1860’s cannon technology.
After the visit we all had a great lunch on nearby Tybee Island
Backpacking Bill 