Trip to Ireland & France, Day 8, Thursday February 19th

Thursday was our last full day in France, so we decided to spend it down in the Ville Basse. We thought it was a little far for the wrinklies to walk, so Gordon and I walked and we sent Aisling and the wrinklies in a cab. We arranged to meet at the McDonalds, just because you sort of can't miss it, it's right across from La Gare. I got coffee in McDonalds, and it was pretty good. Also, the bathroom in McDonalds was great! We spent a long time in McDs as the grandmothers decided to go shopping before meeting us! They showed up wearing new hats and scarves to help them stay warm. We walked into the main square in Ville Basse, where there was a market, but we got there a little late, and we missed most of the market, which seems to sell mostly produce and cheese and meet. We had lunch at a little restaurant on the square and then we split up and arranged to meet at the same cafe later in the afternoon.

Aisling and I went shopping. Aisling was wearing a Barack Obama campaign button, and that really made her very popular. We went into Sephora, and they actually gave us free stuff! We also went to the Monoprix, as Aisling wanted to buy French chocolate. She also bought french makeup and went to a cheap french clothes shop and bought some french clothes! We then headed back to the cafe to meet the others. The wrinklies were late. Apparently they went to the coiffure and got their hair done. They also reported that they had gotten capuccinos, and they had never seen so much cream on a capuccino before.

We decided to buy food at the Monprix and eat at the hotel. We ate baguettes, salmon, cheese, pate, and Aisling had a steak. We also *had* to drink two bottles of wine from the winery since we couldn't take it on the plane! After dinner, Gordon and I went for a nighttime stroll to the Ville Basse. I hadn't gotten to see Cathedral St. Michel in the Ville Basse, so we walked by both cathedrals in the town and enjoyed how they looked from the outside. We also found one of the two Irish pubs (although we didn't go in). On the way back, we passed the museum which was beautifully illuminated at night. The town was pretty lively at night but we just went back to the hotel rather than go clubbing!