Monday 25 September 2017

Brexit talks delayed. Train to the Bastille

Monument at Bastille
Tuesday 12th September 2017

The Uk and EU have agreed to delay the fourth round of Brexit talks by a week, to now start on 25th September. The government said that the short delay would give 'negotiators the flexibility to make progress'.

We had packed our bags last night, so left relatively unhurriedly on our holiday this morning. Caught the 10:19 bus from Milton to the Science Park and then walked to the new Cambridge North Station. I found myself in conversation with Peter Dawes, standing on opposite platforms, talking about his Pods idea (Trisled Rotavelo, an enclosed pedalo-electric vehicle).

Arriving in London, we had a lunch of toasted sandwiches, to the accompaniment of a jazz pianist. Improvising and 'just chillin', he  said  when I went over to chat with him, before going through the security and passport control at St Pancras International. Setting off punctually at 14:22, we arrived in Paris Gare du Nord at 18:45.

We successfully navigated the ticket machine and Metro journey to Bastille. A roundabout replaces the Bastille prison that was stormed at the start of the French revolution. According to the evenings news, Paris was in full 'demonstration against President Macron' mode, including photogenic battles with the riot police. Not where we were!

After signing into our Hotel, the Pavillon Bastille, we sauntered back north of the Bastille, finding a little restaurant specialising in fruits and salads, Le Paradis de Fruit, for an enjoyable meal. Moving on, we walked to the Place des Vosges, where Victor Hugo lived. Lots of cafes, galleries and unusual fashion shops in the minor streets. On the way back to the hotel, stopped briefly to listen and watch a large brass band blast out lively music outside the Opera House. Cosi fan Tutti was on the bill inside - not to the taste perhaps of one woman who was leaving halfway through.

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