Sunday, 21 August 2011

une tres mauvaise journee

Well, we have just had a very sad day. We were going to Auxerre for the day in order to commence the renewal of our long term visas. (Titre de Sejours). Immigration had told us to go to the Prefecture in Auxerre and we had carefully looked up their hours of opening plus the renewal procedure on the Prefecture web site. Everything we found on the web site agreed with what Immigration had told us. We also discovered that the Prefecture is only open four afternoons per week for what we wanted to do.

We farewelled Liz and Abby (plus the two dogs) and had a peaceful night's sleep along the side of the canal in Reims.

The next morning, we were up bright and early before sunrise. We rode our bikes to the Reims railway station and carefully locked them up in the "Velo Parking" area which is next to the tourist bureau. We used an extra, third, security chain just to make sure they would be okay and threaded the chains through our bike helmets.

Then we caught the TGV to Paris. We had a one euro upgrade to First Class so it was very comfortable. Then two Metros and we were at Gare de Lyon for the slower two trains to Auxerre.

This all went well and we checked the location of the Prefecture to be ready for the 1330 opening time. Then a leisurely lunch at a pleasant restaurant where we have eaten before.

We were at the Prefecture on time and went to the correct floor and queued up. There were a number of people in front of us and most of them were given further forms to complete or went away with slightly unhappy faces. Finally, it was our turn. We explained what we wanted and the woman said "Sorry, you must do this at the Mairie in Charbuy". She gave us a sheet of paper and ticked the things we should take (passport, photos etc). We made absolutey sure she could not do it there but she was very insistent.

We checked the Charbuy website and found that the Mairie was open that afternoon (2pm to 6pm). Our train was at 4.09pm. So, we decided to get a taxi to Charbuy. No taxis in sight, so we went to the very helpful tourist bureau (we had been there before) and they kindly rang a taxi for us even though we only asked for the phone number. It was supposed to take 10 minutes but finally arrived after 25mins and another "hutty up" call from the tourist bureau. The taxi driver was very helpful and the car comfortable (Mercedes). He was very interested in our trip and why on earth we were going to the Charbuy Mairie. At the Mairie, he came in with us to see how long it might take and whether or not he should wait. In the end, he went off and said to call his taxi company when we were ready. All very kind and at no charge (in Australia, the cab driver would be very unhappy to wait as the rate is lower thantravelling and probabloy would not come into the Mairie [Town Hall] with us).

The ladies in the Mairie tried to be helpful but explained they had not done one of these renewals before and needed to ring the Prefecture, which they duly did. They got an answering machine message to say that calls would only be taken after 3pm. They asked if we could wait and we said "yes". Then they rang again and again at 3pm and every few minutes afterwards until 3.20. Then they rang the main Prefecture number and said that the Titre renewal section as not answering. They were told that they never answer n the afternoons- only in the mornings. So, the message must have been very old and wrong.

So, the Mairie was not able to help us but did get our fax and email addresses and offered to get in touch when they knew what to do (unfortunately, we have not yet heard anything and it is now the weekend).

We rang the taxi company and they said a taxi would be there very soon. We think the earlier helpful driver had told them to expect a call. The taxi did come quickly and got us to the train station in time. Then it was back on the trains for the return trip. This all went well (the French train system really is excellent). However, on the Metro, we somehow got all this black grease and carbon on our hands. We think it came from the sides of the seats. We were on the station, loking at our dreadful hands wondering what to do. A very kind lady noticed and immediately came up and pulled wet wipes and tissues from her handbag so we could clean her hands. What kindness!

We gt back to Reims Station on schedule before 8.30pm and our day suddenly got worse. Not only had we failed to start our visa renewals, our bikes were GONE- stolen. The security cables had been cut. Bizzarly, our helmets and the cut cables were still just sitting on the ground.

I (David) went back into the Gare and explained to the man who had just closed up the ticket office and asked if he could ring the Gendarmes for me. He was about to and then suggested that it would be better if I went there as it was only a few hundred metres away. He gave me directions.

So, we took some photos and went to the Police Station. They said they would not attend but would take the details and give us a copy of the Proces Verbal (PV) for insurance. We have since found that Insurance will not pay because the bikes are only covered if they are on the barge when stolen. The Police were kind and helpful but it all took a long time because they were just at a shift change.

So, we finally walked back to the barge at 10.30pm, tired and unhappy and about A$1,000 out of pocket with nothing to show for it all. Penny had been worried we would get back and find the boat gone or damaged but it was all okay.

So far this year, with two thefts, we have had more stolen from us in France than in our entire lifetimes put together.

On the next day (Friday) we decided we would not let the professional thieves spoil our holiday and went to Decathlon (the chain store where we originally bought our bikes) and bought new ones the same as before but with four huge locks and chains- the biggest and strongest available from the shop.

We have already used the replacement bikes to ride to one of the nearby Champagne Villages where Verve Cliquot and Roederer have their vines and wineries.

Best Regards,

Dave and Penny

Les Chouettes: What a pity day ! you should call us when you came to Auxerre, we would help you to come to CHARBUY and make taxi driver. we hope evreything will be better and that you get your visas, if we vcan help, tell us. best wishes et best regards to you, Chantal et Christian (08/22/11)