Poitiers

Had a good sleep in our cool and silent room.  Had breakfast at the hotel, not a bad selection, although I am getting a bit bored of hotel breakfasts now.  Packed up and headed to the station for our TGV to Poitiers - we are back in 1st class again, very lovely.

We arrived in Poitiers on time, got off the train, it was hot, hot, hot (again!) We hauled our suitcases up a very long flight of steps and then across the city to our hotel.  We were interrupted in the main square by a professional bike race which was about to set off - plenty of gendarmes and army souls about checking all ok.  In fact everywhere we have been where there has been a festival we have seen fully armed army personnel and everywhere else we have seen plenty of police - made us realise how rarely we see either in the UK.  Taxes are higher here, but the towns and cities are definitely richer because of it - they are cleaner, all have dedicated cycle lanes, the trains are plentiful and have all been on time, the place just feels much more organised and richer than the UK.  

The community feel seems better too - when we were in Biarritz we were walking down a street, when we saw a lad in his teens (with his mates) get in the way and make a lady feel really uncomfortable.  A bloke who had just parked up, admonished the lad and made him say sorry to the lady.  That would very rarely happen in the UK these days, and if it did, the bloke would be in trouble for being rude to the lad rather than the lad being in trouble for being rude to the lady!  Which is why discipline in schools is so bad.  On the trains, people are very quiet including children, everyone is respectful of others.  No listening to your phone with the speaker on, no children screaming / shouting.  No rubbish left on seats, all tables returned to the centre before leaving.  It is so lovely to see people being respectful rather than being entitled!

Also, in the caves, we didn't wear helmets, we could have hit our heads on the rock, but I'm guessing it was assumed that we would be sensible enough not to do so.  On some trains, the doors are manual, we were trusted to use them correctly.  Feels like they have a sensible balance of everything, whilst we have swung so far on the cautious side that the generation growing up won't know to avoid rock so they don't bang their head and then if they do - it won't be their fault and they will seek to name, shame and sue, when all they needed was some common sense and self responsibility!

Anyway, rant over, we watched the race start and then headed to the hotel. We were quite early so, our bags were stored for us and we headed out in search of panaché and lunch.  We went back to the square and found a place that did 'Cheesy frites' and got a couple of portions to share.  We then checked in - finally, in the last hotel of the holiday we have achieved the holy trinity - air conditioning, tea making (Tom's room even had a coffee maker) and a fridge. How very exciting.  We had to swap rooms with Tom - we have had problems in nearly every hotel here, they have seen our booking and assumed we were 3 lads on holiday - my name being a male name in France and been given a twin and single.  When we have arrived, receptionist's eyes have popped out, apologies made and a new room found. 

We had showers and then headed out for an explore.  As it was Sunday, everything was closed and the streets were empty.  Although it was a shame not to see it bustling etc, it was also really nice to enjoy the quiet and emptiness, especially after yesterday in Bordeaux and to just wander around and take in the atmosphere. Poitiers is essentially a very old town and there were lots of nooks and crannies to explore. 

Matt was in photo heaven, with lots of old buildings, vines reaching across roads, spires etc. etc.   We found a hill, we climbed it (228 steps), took photos, walked back down, found a river with a stream that had been managed so you could play in it - so we cooled our feet down in it which was delicious.  We then walked back through the old town, found ourselves a glace each (pretty much the only shop that was open) and headed back to the hotel for a shower and rest before tea. 

Tea - we headed out and decided on a restaurant near the hotel, burger for Tom, pasta for me and Matt.  Was ok, but not great - hope to find better for tomorrow.