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So I picked up my RV and somehow managed to get out of the suburbs of Paris.  Difficult to navigate AND watch the traffic and the signage and oh, don't forget the height of the vehicle because you have to loop around those pesty little bridges least you lopp off the top of the RV.

So, safely in the lovely Loire Valley, I miss Chambord due to a mishap.  The chateaux is being remodeled and I am worried because it is getting late.  I can't find the campground so end up along side the road in a small town.  Hey, they do this in France but not by choice for me.

The next day I find a wonderful campsite along the Loire.  Unfortunately, the loo causes a problem and a plastic part breaks.  I drive 40 miles out of my way to an RV place that fixes the part for FREE.  I love french men mechanics!

Then I discover this wonderful place because I am lost AGAIN.  The small commune of Pont de Ruan.  An old mill being restored and a picturesque small village where I spend the night in an "Aire" which is a welcomed place when you are lost again.

Off to the Sud (south) to Angouleme and beyond.  

Day 1 - Sunday: a free day at the museums.  Walked to the Musee d'Orsay and spent some time with the impressionists.  My goal is to follow in the footsteps of the Impressionists from countryside to Paris to the coast of Normandie. 

Day 2 - Monday:  Walked to the Musee de l'Orangerie to visit more impressionist work and to see Monet's walls of water lillies, which it turns out, fill two rooms.  I share with Claude failing eyesight; I can see it in his work.

In the afternoon, I take a bus up to the village of Montmartre.  Twenty three years ago, my daughter and I took the funicular up the hill to Sacre-coeur but, somehow, we were unaware of the vibrant village beneath the towering spires of the church.  From baren hills where hardy men endured the work of mining limestone, to an eventual "urban renewal" of this shanty town, sprang an artist haven that lures tourists today.  In Monet's day, young artists found cheap rents and practiced their art hoping for a invite to the prestigious Paris Gallery de Art.

Day 3 - Bus to Luxembourg Gardens and more.

     Day 4 - pick up RV and head towards Loire Valley      

Having visited Monet's House and Garden for the third time in 17 years, I came away with several thoughts.  First, it would have been so much more impressive to have visited his home and garden about 100 years ago when it would have been a work in progress.  Now, it appears to be more of a progression of work by the Monet Foundation to add and embellish what was once a simple and elegant place in the country.

I noticed that a lot of furniture has been replaced since I first saw the house interior.  I'm sure there are reasons for this, however, some pretty gaudy furniture has been installed in his "studio."  The "kitchen" seems to have been painted a dull yellow not at all like what I remember of a bright and fun country yellow.

Also, I was surprised at how the "garden" has grown, or should I say overgrown!!!  The plantings are lovely but overly done and one cannot even walk through the garden anymore.  I feel lucky to have had that experience once upon a time!!!

Arrived in Paris is a most unusual way:  I drove my rental car all the way into the City Centre.  I managed to find Gare du Nord but had to drive around and around trying to find the car rental place which I eventually succeeded in doing.  Have been staying in a comfortable loft near the Louvre.  Walked to the Musee d'Orsay today to visit this exeptional collection of artwork.  Spent all my time in the Impressionist section.

Picked up a book entitled "Le Grand Guide de la Normandie - Sur les pas des impressionnistes" written by Helene Rochette with assistance of Claire Maingon, historian and Pascal Paillardet, photographer.  Surprisingly able to read about 70 % of the French and will have to re-read this later when I get home to my computer with the French interpretation application.

Au revoir.

Mimi

My bags are packed and repacked.  My check on bag contains my acrylics and clothes.  My carry on contains my soft pastels and medicine plus some simple clothing for the "just in case" - hope my bags come with me on the same plane.  My over the shoulder contains the rest of my necessary items.  One day left at home and then :  Hello London.    

I have 16 days now before I leave.  I am already packing which is a job in itself: what to NOT take.  What I worry about is how will I pull several suitcases across a huge terminal  Shall I ask (and pay for) extra help with luggage?  Packing is a trial and error sort of effort.  I will have a carry-on suitcase which has my soft pastels and my "must haves" personal items.  Also, drudge! my medicine including my insulin and syringes!  This is NOT like any other trip I have taken to Europe.  

My cats sense something is up.  They sleep on my suitcases as if that will prevent me from leaving home.  A friend told me to talk to them every day and explain that I am not leaving them for good, just going on vacation.  I will return and everything will be as it was, really!

Tip:  Always put together a travel itinerary book.  I am using a binder and plastic insert covers.  I include a main schedule followed by any maps and daily activity information such as train or ferry bookings, photos and background information about special places, auto rentals reservations, airbnb reservations, etc.