More traipsing about

A few weeks ago I went to Paris for a meeting about the next World Youth Day which will take place in Rio next year. We decided that it would be nice if Kev came along to keep me company so that we could then have a nice weekend together. So we went to Paris on the Thursday night, and the meeting was on Friday. We stayed with our friends Claire and Damian (the previous directors ot the ESM). They are such a lovely family, and their two kids are very cute. Their house is very nice too.

Hele and Kev at Claire and Damian's house

We had planned to go to Lyon on Saturday morning and spend two days there. It is meant to be a really nice city, and we have only seen the airport and train station. Unfortunately we didn't know that Saturday was the first day of school holidays, so there were no trains or planes from Paris to Lyon on the day we needed. Luckily we were able to cancel our hotel reservation without incurring any fees, and luckily Claire and Damian said we could stay at their house for the weekend, even though they were going away.

So Kev and I had a lovely weekend in Paris. We wandered around the city.....

Kev in front of the Cathedral of Notre Dame

Then had a super lunch. I was so happy to find a place that had snails on the menu!

Mmmm yummy snails

Then I insisted that we walk around the Eiffel Tower at night, because I like all the funky lights. It was kinda pretty really. Good on 'em.

Kev in front of the Eiffel Tower

Hele and Kev blocking the view of the Eiffel Tower

We went back to our friends place and were so pleased to find amongst their wonderful dvd collection.....every season of 24. So we were able to take up where we had left off.

The next day we caught the train to Paray le Monial. We had a Directors Meeting on the Monday. Then our students arrived on the Tuesday for a retreat with the other ESMs of Paray and Altotting. On the weekend, we were joined by about 1400 young people for the Winter Youth Forum. So, we were kept pretty busy.

We returned to Rome on Monday, stopping at Ars on the way. It was the first time that I had been there. It was nice, but apart from Cure of Ars stuff, nothing to do or see.

Basilica and Shrine of St. John Vianney

When we got back to Rome, I was feeling a bit crook. The following morning I felt terrible. I had a really bad cough - worse than I have ever had. I stayed home for four days. Then I decided to go to the doctor (which means waiting at the emergency part at the hospital). After four hours of tests and waiting and more tests, I found that I have bronchitis. After two weeks I am still coughing, but have managed to drag myself into work for a few hours here and there. Nearly half of the students are sick too, and now Kev has a cold. Please keep us in your prayers.