Toulouse (La Ville Rose)

We arrived in Toulouse about lunchtime on Sunday and just as we were driving into the centre of town, we had a call from Jase to tell us about the earthquake and tsunamis back home which struck near Kaikoura at 12.02am. It was very surreal going to the main square by the Capitol to get wifi and read about what was happening, as it was unfolding. Even more strange was facebook messages from Kerm and others who were, at that moment (which was the very early hours of Monday morning), stuck in cars up on the Port Hills above Sumner, desperate for a cup of tea, waiting for the tsunami risk to clear. The kids were worried about their friends and we reassured them that everyone was safe. Again, we felt very far away and a little sorry that we weren't home to host everyone up at Moncks Spur road with whiskey and tea...

Look what we found on the way in....

After drinks in the square we got caught in the rain and had an exhilirating run back to the car, soaked by the time we got there.

We had eggs and rice for dinner at home (great Sunday night fare) and spent the evening getting more updates on the earthquake/tsunamis as things unfolded back home...hard to believe that it was all happening again for people....

The next day after a run, Bill and I returned with croissants and fresh bread for breakfast, which the kids loved, and became the morning routine.

After a kids' homework session, we walked into the centre towards Capitol and started to hit a few shops, with Zara and Galeries Lafayette getting some major attention from all family members....Unfortunately the 6th floor of Galeries Lafayette which has a terrace with views of the city was closed so we couldn't get up high to see the famous pink rooftops and were instead let loose back into the store...

Toulouse, which is France's 4th largest city, has a great chilled vibe - very much a university town and with a focus on the outdoors, it's in many ways easier to relate to as kiwis than Paris. 

For lunch, we found an amazing artisan boulanger with sandwiches to die for so ate outside watching the passers by next to the Donjon du Capitole. Then we checked out the inside of the Capitol building, which is still a functioning civic building but also has decorative rooms, including the Henri Martin room with its amazing paintings, and a stunning marble staircase. 

Later it was more shopping and hot chocolate for afternoon tea, although we struggled to get Zoe off her new "phone" ...

and then an early dinner at the Capitole square, where we stumbled upon some foam madness, which turned out to be a firemen's strike (population en haut, pompiers en bas!)

On the second day we took the metro to the covered food markets at Victor Hugo which were brilliant - every type of meat and seafood you can imagine (including whole rabbits, both skin on and skin off!)  as well as cheeses, pastries and bread - but being the most squeamish in the family, Amelia was extremely unimpressed and spent the whole time covering her nose and asking to leave...this was not possible until we had bought some meat, cheese and fruit.

Then we found a hairdresser for Harv to have his long-awaited haircut which, despite trying to explain what a "comb-over fade" was in french, turned out to be a great success...a breakthrough for Harv and Bill to finally agree on a haircut they are both happy with

Before and after

After a bit more shopping, we had another outdoor lunch and then were asked to have a go in some wheelchairs in the square!

Because shopping is such hard work, we decided it was time for a  drink :

..and a final "shop til we drop" selfie 

before heading home, a quick drink at a cool student bar for Bill and I and takeaway pizza. The next day, Amelia couldn't resist wearing her new scarf, dress and trainers, very pleased to have found the look she was after...

Harvey says: Toulouse was really fun with a cosy apartment. We had two 'shop til we drop' days and did very well choosing. I loved Toulouse, it had so many great attractions and so many little boulangeries for early pain in the morning.

Zoe says : I loved Toulouse because there's lots of shopping streets - I loved in the morning how we had a croissant each for breakfast and some cereal. I got a new phone from Claire's. My new favourite shop is Claire's.

Amelia says: It felt great to be back in the city. We had lots of 'shop til we drop' days - I love my new clothes and my new favourite shop is Zara.