May 11th Friday - Amiens

May 11th Friday - Amiens

It was departure day for Ange, Alex, Dan & mum. Morning saw Ange, Alex & Dan hit the shops following a restless so humid night disturbed by student revellers drunkenly whooping & hollering around the river in a hijacked boat but more difficult to sleep through was mums incessant cocophy of snoring. An off key tuba would sound more pleasant. A bottle of bubbly with breakfast, steak & eggs, improved the mood.

We returned to the Orange store to have sim fitted to iPad as per instructions last evening. Pardon mais non monsieur, 24hrs before we can change. Back tonight at 6, we close at 7. We have had no joy with communications since arriving in France. phone, Internet only available with 2 year contract so iPad is only option. Wifi proving impossible to find & we want to speak & catch up with everyone at home. Very frustrating as also no power or water at Amiens & we need to recharge phones, laptop etc etc. May have to use the genny.

We take mum for a tour of the cathedral. It is seriously impressive but I am disappointed mum did not get to see the son et lumiere which does not start until June.

Suddenly it's 2 o'clock & so after a nice lunch of ham & cheese (crab for mum) baguettes it is all emotional tear jerking stuff as we wave bon voyage to the family. It had been fantastic to have mum share the start of our adventure & I feel so proud of her bravery in completing the channel crossing. Also it had been very special to share Angela's 50th birthday & I think it had been memorable for her as I had so wanted it to be.

It seemed strange to have Doucette to ourselves all of a sudden & indeed for the first time on our adventure. We chored & tidied before returning once again to the Internet problem. 6.15 found us being told still not working, can you return in 30 minutes, you close at 7 - no problem! At 6.45 we are greeted with a smiling Julien. It is fixed. He got us onto google on the iPad to prove it. Fantastic I exclaimed, now what is our password for Orange wifi. " not included unless on a forfait (contract). Bloody hell, I thought it was but a glance at the brochure confirms the glum news. Oh well at least we can Skype family & friends tonight.

We drift back to Doucette via a long stroll round St Leu, the oldest part of Amiens. Delightful. iPad out we try the girls. Nothing. We try Tony & Rose. Nothing. We try Steve & Jackie. Nothing. 5 minutes & the iPad comes to life. Steve calling, I answer. Can just make out a sticcatto odd word. What was the name of that comedian with the broken mic? You know, chi.....n. Gave up trying as iPad down to 23% power. Not feeling great, dodgy tummy so I leffe with some soup & an early night after a successful round of cribbage with the crew.

Weather - colder than yesterday with a northerly wind but dry all day with bursts of sunshine & a beautiful sunset over St Leu