Travel during July and August is expensive no matter how you do it, but I was surprised that the train was going to cost so much. From Dulmen, Germany to Paris was almost €200 ($295 CAD, $220 USD) per person for the one way trip, and with two connections and not very suitable running times.
Flying was not much more money, but the flight times were not very convenient and we still would have had to take a train from Dulmen to Dusseldorf. Still very pricey for a short flight and none of the discount airlines had workable schedules for this route.
And the bus was reasonably cheap at €56 each, but it would have been minimum a ten hour journey and with two changes.
So I checked Bla Bla Cars. This is a European ride sharing website that we've used a couple of times before. Once in Romania in 2016, and more recently when we were driven from Poland to Germany to pick up Max in June of 2021.
We got lucky because there was a listing for a ride on August 30th from Dusseldorf to Paris. A five hour drive and I contacted the driver to see if he would drop us at an airport hotel and he agreed. So I booked it at €92 for the two of us! Seems like a nice guy. He's done 137 trips and gets great reviews. He's about our age and speaks English, German, French, and Spanish. Amazing.
Good deal.
We still have to make our way from Dulmen to Dusseldorf, but it's only an hour or so on the German regional train so not bad.
So then I had to book accommodation. We would need a night in Dusseldorf on the 29th and a night near Paris CDG airport for the 30th. I got us a room in a fairly decent looking hotel in Dusseldorf for €80 ($118 CAD, $88 USD) and the airport one for €50 ($74 CAD, $55 USD). Cheaper than I expected!
We would still have time to go into Paris that afternoon and evening, so we'll see how we feel at the time. We might just want to relax!
We took the dogs for a nice long walk in the area. They're such a pleasure. They stay with you, and are friendly with other dogs. And of course all they want to do is run and play with their ball!
Throw me the ball!
This big field is really close by.
I took a video for you...
There are public footpaths running everywhere.
Even through the farmers fields.
This one through the turnips was a little overgrown!
We wore them out!
The ball is never far away.
Ruth, getting some cuddles from Elsie.
Our hosts arrive back this evening, but they've said we can stay in their driveway overnight. Tomorrow, we'll drive to Stonehenge, then Tuesday to London's Heathrow airport to pick up grandson Cameron!
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And in Canada...
Adorable video! Reminded me so much of how our Paisley used to run after her ball until she was completely pooped.
ReplyDeleteThey really love their ball, I am sure if we threw it all day they would just keep chasing it. Cute that your Paisley was the same. Whiskey loved chasing the ball too or a stick but she never wanted to bring it back, she wanted you to chase her to get it, lol!
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