It is almost eleven—we’re all in bed—we have to get up at 5:30—breakfast at 6:00 a.m. Immigration men came on board—the boat train is supposed to leave at 8:18 a.m.
Just after dinner we went out on deck. Sighted our first land—“Land’s End,” the southwest tip of England. It has been a very pleasant day—but not too clear. We did not see the Channel Islands.
The granite cliffs of Land’s End are one of England’s most famous sights.
We packed the fruit sent to our room to eat tomorrow on the train. Our bags had to go tonight. With two string bags and a shopping bag, we may look a little “immigrant”-like.
We went up to the lounge to find out what Cinemaracing is. They bet on filmed races. We didn’t bet.
Mr. Anderson is a lone Scotchman—lives in America. He gave us some information on shops and eating places in Glasgow. He must be in his seventies—has “crossed” thirty times. He’s very talkative, but quite interesting.
I managed to get here without the belt of my black dress, but I wore it anyway.
Bertha’s bag had the handle come off—a brand new bag. I fixed it temporarily with a safety pin!
Paris, 7:00 p.m.
We were up at 5:30 a.m. Our waiter brought what we usually had for breakfast so that we could get in line early for the immigration men of France. It did not take us too long. Guess we had tipped the waiter enough last night. Guess too we did all right by the steward—he brought us some things we might need: soap, wash cloth, etc!
The boat train was waiting—our luggage outside the car to which we were assigned. They really handled it very well. The trip into Paris was most interesting. For many miles we could see the Seine. There seemed to be considerable traffic on it. We went through many tunnels—at least eight. The land was not as level as I thought it would be, and the tunnels were long ones. We ate some fruit on the way.
The railway line from Le Havre to Paris has been in use since the mid-1800s.
There was quite a wait for a taxi in the station, but we arrived at the Bedford around noon. We have connecting rooms, all white—trimmed in gold. The bath is large—with a bidet! Even the mattress cover has lace on it.
The Bedford Hotel, still in business and owned and managed by the same family for over 100 years, advertises itself as “A quiet haven in the heart of the capital, steps away from the Madeleine, minutes from the Paris Opera and the Champs Elysées.”
We ate lunch at the hotel, then out to make some arrangements. We made our train reservation to Brussels and Amsterdam at Cook’s. Then we walked. Went into the Madeleine which I had not done before. We passed the U.S. Embassy and de Gaulle’s home. It was impressive looking.
The Thomas Cook brand has been used by a series of travel companies since the original company was founded in 1841 by Thomas Cook, a cabinet-maker and former Baptist preacher. The company's first excursion was a one-day rail trip from Leicester to Loughborough and back; the price of one shilling included a meal. This has been described as the world's first package tour. At this time in 1963, the company was part of the British Transport commission, having been nationalized along with the railways in 1948.
By NotFromUtrecht - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9729174
There were some beautiful things in the shops—but all I bought was some wrapping paper and cards. I expect to do very little shopping in Paris.
We decided to use bottled water. Helen and I stopped in the bar to get four bottles. The man asked if we had a big family. We said no, there were four of us. Then he wanted to know if we were going to swim! Guess they can’t understand how much we like water.
Our hotel is very close to the Madeleine—a much more attractive one than we had before, and nearer to the things we want to see. We asked the concierge to make us a reservation for dinner—from a recommendation we had. It is for nine p.m. Everyone else is stretched out—I’ve had my shower and done my washing.
The Madeleine is a historic Catholic church in the 8th arrondissement of Paris.
Oh—one thing we did was to make a reservation for a trip to Chartres on Friday. I am so happy that I am going to see it this time. On Bastille Day we also take a trip—or so we think—at night to see the illumination and the fireworks. I did that before, and that was one film I lost. Hope I have better luck this time.
Tomorrow will be the only day we have to shop—and in Paris that will be enough. Any place, nice things are expensive, and in Paris more so.
Later—
We took a cab out to a “Bistro” on the left bank. Had a supper of wonderful, thin-sliced ham, bread, cheese. Taxi and meal cost us each less than $3.00, which is cheap in Paris. We had some trouble with the language but it was fun.
Jambon de Paris, the traditional ham served in bistros, is not smoked but slowly cooked in just-simmering water and seasoned only with salt. Traditional French baguettes are a delicious art form as well!
By Boulanger: Nat / Photographer: Nat - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=90745502
Am now to bed—it is almost 11:30 p.m.
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