pillars; snakes weave in and out of the windows; chil-
dren’s doodles adorn the façade and a myriad of rainbow
colours cascade like waterfalls from the bell tower. The
creativity is astounding, and by midnight, I’m still pick-
ing my jaw off the floor.
Thursday 4th August:
Vincent van Gogh in Auvers-sur-Oise
Standing before Vincent van Gogh’s ivy shroud grave-
stone, we, the audience, are totally enthralled. The
weather is bleak and the ambience pensive; a combi-
nation our tour guide is using to brilliant effect. We’re
told of Vincent’s blighted childhood, his crippling fear
of failure and of course, his tragic death in the town
of Auvers-sur-Oise. We then visit Van Gogh’s infamous
‘room number 5’ in the Auberge Ravoux. Unchanged
since he bled out in 1890, it’s dark, desolate and nota-
bly lonely. My heart breaks for the second time in two
days. Time for cake.
Auvers-sur-Oise is one of the quaintest villages we’ve
explored, with a bonnie French patisserie to boot. While
tucking into a raspberry tart I wonder how, after last
night’s seven-course degustation dinner in the bistro
lounge, I even have the space to devour another pastry.
Alas, down it goes.
Friday 5th August: Montmartre’s Moulin Rouge
Back in Paris, the ‘Illumination Tour’ treats guests to an
evening circuit of the capital. Enjoyed from the comfort
of the coach, it’s the perfect way to see Paris without
tourists and touts tapping at your elbows. As for today,
we’ve climbed the steps of Montmartre in Paris’ most
colourful neighbourhood. Home to Sacré-Cœur and
The Moulin Rouge. It's easy to lose yourself in the steep
streets of a quartier awash with painters, creperies and
shabby chic cafés. Some guests are returning this evening
for the Moulin Rouge dinner and show, but not me, I’m
off to find Sailor Man Ben. I’m going to impress him with
my own rendition of the Can-Can.
Saturday 6th August: disembarkation & au revoir
I have an uneasy feeling in my stomach and it’s called
disappointment. It’s home time. I don’t want to leave my
beautiful stateroom, or L’OCCITANE products and floor-
to-ceiling patio door. What do you mean I have to return
home to the view of my neighbour’s dirty weatherboard?
I’m now lingering at the coffee machine, pretending to
make a latte. It’s 9.10am and I should’ve disembarked
ten minutes ago. Never. I’ll die before I have to leave
this sanctuary of scenery, service and Sailor Man Ben.
A revolutionary I am not. By 9.11am I’m sat on
the coach bound for Charles de Gaulle airport.
Au revoir Avalon, you’ve been spectacular.
T H E AVA LO N D I A RY: AS K U S A B O U T A L L O U R
AVALON RIVER CRUISES. COME IN-STORE, CALL
U S O N 0 8 0 0 7 13 7 15 OR VISIT WWW.HOT.C O.N Z .
H OUS E OF T R AVE L
| INS PIR E IS S UE 0 1. 20 17 23