Spring Break- The End (Retrograde)

In choreography, there is a trick, we call, retrograde.  Meaning- take a sequence of movements strung together, and starting with the last pose/gesture/step, work your way backwards, step by step, by step.  Choreographers use this trick to generate new movement material, create themes and variations.

I keep thinking that is what Bruno and I are doing, working backwards, re-tracing steps all day today.

Checking out at 8:30, we worked our way back to London, from the 6th Arrondissement.

First stop, the Saint-Sulpice Church, right by our hotel.  We've been visiting it twice daily; in the morning, and in the evening.

Because you can count on God to provide, trees, for Bruno.

Thank you, God.

Next, Metro Line 4 to Gare du Nord.  No visuals as we are laying low, so as not be targets for mugging.

09:42  TGV to Calais Frethun.

I'm really liking the TGV.  In Coach 1, the seats (and tables) have width.  I can place Bruno in his bag, on the table, and he settles for the whole journey.  An observation- most travellers London-bound are of course on the Eurostar.  Which then means, this TGV train is filled only with native French.  And I have to say, the French are very considerate, quiet people on their national rail.  There is none of that drinking-to-get-as-drunk-as-quickly-as-possible antics on the TGV, or loud, rude obnoxious behaviour just for the sake of.

Another observation is how much they love dogs, and treat dogs with tender respect.  This has made traveling with Bruno, logistically easier, and even more enjoyable.

Bruno needs a TGV ticket (7 Euros for his size).  This ticket states on the top right corner, "1 Chien", and in the middle, "petit animal jusqu' a 6kg dans un contenant".  Tickles me, each time!

11:20 Folkestone Taxi picks us up from Calais Frethun.

1130 we are at the Pet Control Center on the French end of things, by the Eurotunnel.  

As we did last summer, there is some paperwork to clear in order for Bruno to return home.  His microchip will be checked, as well as his documentation of tapeworm treatment and all necessary vaccinations in his passport.

When this is done, the lady at the counter will hand a sticker over, to be placed on the dashboard of the car.  Then we are off.

There was no checking of documents on the French end of things for humans today.  So we drove on towards the British Border, where everything went pleasantly.

12:50  We drive onto the Eurotunnel, and Bruno settles back down to rest.

Good boy, Bruno.

The Eurotunnel journey as mentioned before takes 35 minutes.  When we get to the UK, we drive off and onto the freeway.  There are signs prompting you to drive on the left side of the road, as oppose to France.

Life is one hour behind France in the UK.  So I have a choice of trains to catch.  I take the 12:11 from Folkestone West to Charing Cross, which is actually slower, but I would rather be on my way, then wait another hour for the direct train to St Pancras.

It's a 2-hour ride, where Bruno naps, snacks, snuggles, and naps more.

And finally...

I'm not used to arriving in London via south of the river.   So this was a new and fun perspective for me.  And that is one of the objectives of retrograding in choreography- it shows you alternate view points and allows, play.

Bruno says- Mom, mom. mom...
(Hold on, Brunz!  We're almost there!)
From Charing Cross, hop onto the Northern Line, switch to the Central Line, jump off at some point, and walk home.

Total time involved in the retrograding exercise?  Same as the original journey done 3 days ago.

7 hours.  Which makes me think, hey, I did a good job with my choreography, staying within the original time frame ("musical score")!

1530 Paris, 1230 London-  The End.

Spring Break, Day 1

Two facts that only serve to prompt creative thinking:
1.  Non-service dogs are not allowed on the Eurostar.
There is a petition to encourage a change of the above.  I signed in, but in the mean time...

2.  You cannot fly with a dog in- cabin into the UK.


Thus far, since bringing him into the UK, I have not attempted bringing him out.  I wanted to go on a little adventure, wander streets, get a little lost, be in a non-speaking English environment for a change. I was not able to find the relevant information I needed, so am documenting our journey today, for both my future needs, and for anyone else wondering.

Day 1 (Traveling Day):
1.  Point of Departure-  W2, London

2.  Left the flat at 08:00 to walk him around the block, and then caught the Circle Line to King's Cross-St Pancras.  On Moscow Road, beneath the eves of a new-build, Bruno jumps into his sling without being prompted.  Good boy, Bruno!

3.  Get on the 09:10 Southeastern High Speed Train to Folkestone, from St Pancras.

Note- * Here's what I've learnt- on the information board at the station, this train is listed as heading towards Dover Priory (last stop).  If your geography is as bad as mine, no fear- at some point, the board will list all the stops it makes before it arrives at Dover, and you will see Folkestone listed.

*There are two stations at Folkestone.  You want to get off at Folkestone West- the train will stop there, even if you purchase a ticket saying direct travel to Folkestone Central which was what I originally did.  There is no need to change the ticket.  You can still use the same ticket to get on and get off at Folkestone West.  You want to get to Folkestone West because it is only a 5-minute drive to the Eurotunnel.

4.  This time, I arranged for Folkestone Taxis to pick me up and drive me across to France.  Would I use them again?  Yes.  They are excellent.  My driver was standing on the platform at Folkestone West waiting for me.  He had paperwork on him.  The company had the initiative to look into Eurotunnel train times for me, and did all the necessary paperwork for Eurotunnel travel on my behalf.  They were prompt and polite on all communication.

5.  We made it to the barriers in good time.  But we experienced a faulty barrier.  So by the time we passed through, even though we could have gotten onto the 10:50 train, security was not helpful, and made us wait for the next train (11:25).

6.  Here is where Folkestone Taxis impressed again.  My driver called the office to check through TGV train times departing Calais towards Paris.  There are 2 stations in Calais- I was booked to leave on the 13:24 TGV train from Calais Ville.  My driver suggested he take me to Calais Frethun instead, where after confirmation from office staff at Folkestone Taxis, I could for sure, catch the same train that will have to pass through Frethun at 13:36.  Frethun, I learnt, is only a 5-min drive from the Eurotunnel, right off the freeway, on the French side of things.  There is no need to deal with village traffic and crowds.

When we got to Calais Frethun, he showed me where the platforms were, as well as directed me to the ticket office.  He also offered to wait with me until everything got sorted out (change of station, purchase of a ticket for Bruno). 

Note- *  When making train travel arrangements, do remember there is a time difference between France and the UK.  

*  The Eurotunnel journey is 35 mins.  Don't take it if you get claustrophobic.  Once you board, there is no way out, until you arrive at respective borders.

*  If you are planning on driving yourself, this would still be the route.  Arriving in France, departing the UK, there were no immigration officers on duty today.  You leave the Eurotunnel, and drive directly onto the freeway.

*  Dogs are permitted on the TGV (hooray!), but they'll need tickets.  I bought Bruno's at the station.  It costs 7 euros.

7.  At Calais Frethun, all the announcements were made only in French.  The loud voice booming over the PA system in rapid French startled both Bruno and me!

8.  On the TGV, the carriages numbered 2 are at either ends of the train, and the coaches numbered 1 are in the middle.

9.  At 15:17, we arrived at Gare du Nord.  We then got on the Metro 4 line towards the Left Bank.

10.  At 16:00, we are warmly welcomed at our hotel.  The staff offered champagne, laid out a blanket for Bruno on the chair next to me, and brought him some water.

Total Travel Time Today?  7 hours.  But honestly it was worth every minute of traveling together, keeping him calm and happy, plus how very much I enjoy his company!

Now to find him a patch of grass and a tree.

Act 2: Scene i

July 3, 2013
The morning began very early for us.  I really was concerned about not missing the 8:19am train.  Things to be done before getting us to the station included- last bits of packing, walk Bruno/hike Bruno, feed, Bruno, getting dressed, tidy up room, conquering 400 year-old stairs with luggage, locking up Maison Rika, returning keys, waiting for Tram 2, boarding Tram 2 (true balancing act with Bruno, Bruno's bag, & my bag), crossing tram lines, finding platform 15A.  Some time in the night, it also began to storm.  I kicked myself for not organising a taxi pick-up instead.

I sprang out of bed at 5:30am, did meagre stretching exercises and got on with things.  Once Bruno saw that we were all packed, he knew something was up, and kept his potty walk efficient.  Then he patiently waited for me (no crying, no barking, no temper tantrums) as I moved the bags down one at a time.

We found ourselves at Platform 15A at 7am.  Here Bruno displayed incredible patience- simply just waiting at attention, quietly, on my lap.

Plattform 15A, Amsterdam Centraal- this is usually where one boards the Thalys

Our train comes.  We find our seat.  Bruno settles down promptly.

WE LOVE TRAIN TRAVEL! There is wifi (tad spotty), he can stay on my lap throughout the 3-4 hour journey, he does not need his own ticket, and we are made to feel very welcomed by the staff.

We passed Brussels (above).  We arrived at Gare du Nord in Paris.  Compared to the 13 hour flight- for the Superstar, this was an easy jaunt/walk in the park.

11:39am.  Gare Du Nord, in good spirits.  Now to find Den Brown and begin, Act 2: Scene ii.