More transit

Our arrival in Paris was quite a shock to the system as we were pretty fatigued from the flight and our brains did not quite manage the little French we had learnt over the last few months.  Also trying to find the hotel amongst evening traffic chaos was a bit of a challenge. We did, however experience our first act of kindness from a Parisienne as she tried to help with directions. 

A quick dinner courtesy of a local Monop' (basically a mini mart) of pre-packaged pasta salad and goat's cheese was actually really delicious. We found that the general quality of food and drink was very good even from the convenience shops. We slept pretty well that night.

Gare du Nord, Paris' largest train station.

On the morning of the 4th June we set off to the UK. The Eurostar takes us to London via a TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse - FAST). 300kph of kick arse mass public transport, Australia really really needs this type of thing between cities (really). 

After a super quick visit to London (crossing Pancras road to get to King's Cross station), we got on the train to Edinburgh. A hire car was organised at Edinburgh and off we drive to Fort William, some 3 hours through the most amazing scenery we have encountered. 

The drive past Dalwhinnie and around Loch Laggan coming into the Nevis ranges was particularly spectacular. It was around this time that the realisation that we are really, really far away from home sunk in.