After all the mishaps at the beginning of our trip, a friend suggested that the title of the blog should be "Something about Mary". Well, again, we have had adventures. On Tuesday, we were expecting our friend Manon, and her friend Paul. Manon was coming from Ottawa via two weeks in Paris and Paul was coming from Australia, a long haul flight that involves changing planes in Dubai. They were supposed to meet at the Gare de Lyon so they could get on the 4:15 train to Montpellier. Shortly before 5pm, our phone rang and there was a lovely Australian accent telling us that he'd missed the train by 2 and he'd be on the next one, an hour later. Our thoughts now were with Manon and if she was on the train, we knew she had no clue what had happened to Paul. So at 7:30pm, we stood on the platform and looked out for a disembarking Manon. And there she was with a bug hug and kiss, she said "But I don't know where Paul is!" She was surprised to hear me say that I knew. We spent the hour catching up on news and then went searching for Paul on the next train. After quick introductions, we headed to the Tram. Once back at the apartment, Les escorted Paul to the small hotel across the street and Manon and I opened wine, cut bread and put out cheese.
Apparently, Paul had left himself 4 hours to get from the CDG airport in Paris, to the Gare de Lyon, but the flight from Dubai was late. One of those flights where someone's luggage goes on, but the family did not get on, so taking luggage off, back to the gate, etc. etc. As he said, IF he had known which hall the train left from, he might have made it. As it was, information was scarce so he missed the train. The interesting thing was, that a few days before his trip started from Australia, he asked Manon for our phone number "just in case". Good plan.
On Wednesday, we drove down to the coast, to Aigues-Mortes, Palavas-les-Flot and then the cathedral of Saint-Pierre de Maguelone. Les and I have been to these places before, and it was nice to be able to show others.
On Thursday, we were all moving a bit slowly and the blow up matress that Manon was sleeping on had developed a slow leak so that it felt more like a waterbed by morning. The big event of the day was my attendance for an appointment at the hospital, with Manon in tow, as my official translator. Les and Paul headed downtown for a bit of a tour. The department did not receive notification of my appointment and I was glad Manon was there as there was no move to rectify the situation and Manon just said that we aren't going anywhere until a new appointment has been firmed up. So, we then left to join the boys in town. Since by this time (after 1) we were all feeling a bit peckish, I led everyone to a small café near Saint Roch. The sun was shining and the menu was fine. After a few minutes of Manon chatting to the waiter and letting us know about any nuances with the food menu, the waiter told her "Vouz parlez français bien". We all hooted with laughter as it is her mother tongue. She decided she wanted to pick up the tab for lunch and it was then that she couldn't find her little wallet, with Visa and bank card and 100€, nor could she find her iphone. Hospital, Tram, couch at the apt??? We decided not to stress right away, but once we got back, we tore apart her suitcase, and basically turned everything upside down, as one does when you lose something. Calls back to the bank in Canada at least put a hold on things.
By Friday monring, Manon was determined not to worry about things, she had done everything she could and she had friends (us) to lend her money until the end of her trip (end of May). So, off we went on a driving trip to Saint-Martin-de-Londres with a lovely old church. Again, Les and I had been there before and knew that Manon and Paul would enjoy seeing it. And then up to Ganges for lunch, which took ages, so we had to have some wine, except me, the driver.
We continued on t0 the Cirque de Navacelles, which Les and I had wanted to see. Fabulous winding roads, which is why I was driving, as otherwise, I'd have had my head out the window....a lot.
Here are Paul and Manon standing at the edge and the picture below is a shot of the village of Navacelles which is on a rocky promontory in the centre of the cirque.
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