Back to England

We awoke to a slightly damp morning, but not to bad for our last day in France. We had a lazy breakfast of our favourite of egg on toast, then started to pack up. We were off the site by noon, and even said goodbye to our cat friend and the owner of the site.
We set the sat nav "Penelope" to avoiding the tolls, and the we set into the countryside, with some really nice roads. As we headed north, avoiding Beauvais, the roads were great, but we were being slowed down by having to reduce our speed each time we went though a pretty village.
So after we had to driven around Amiens, we set the sat nav to tolls, and had an hour on a motorway. During this time we stopped on an air for some lunch. As we were doing OK for time, we then came off the autoroute and continued to Calais. The drive was going well, and we stopped to fill up with fuel, where we discovered the wind had really picked up. A short hop to the tunnel, and as we arrived we were put on the 5.05 train.
No problems getting through customs, and we had time to stop for a loo break and coffee pick up. Straight onto the train, and we were back in the UK. Just 11 minutes to the site, and we arrived just before they closed. We set up the van, and then headed into Folkestone for dinner at the Weatherspoon pub where we had been to before we left. We had a nice dinner of surf and turf, then back to the van for a film and sleep.

Our last full day in France, shopping

Our last full day in France, and we wanted to get a bit of shopping done. We went to Intermache, and we also filled up with fuel.

A day of planned rest, but some stress

After our long day yesterday in Paris, we had a nice lie in this morning, although I had to get on with my OU essay. I worked on that all morning, and we realised that the internet had gone down at the site. So after lunch we head into Beauvais, where we hopped to get some internet. We eventually found some at McDonalds and I was able to send my work off.
We then did a bit of shopping and headed back to the van.

Second trip to Paris

Up at 6 this morning, and as the sun rose on a very clear morning we were off to Saint Sulpice train station. We were there in plenty of time before the 8.50 train to Paris.

This was my last birthday treat, a trip back to Paris, with a surprise. All I knew was that we had to be there for 11am. For some reason I had decided that Chris waking me on a boat down the Seine. When we reached the Gare du Nord, he said that we had time for coffee at the book shop. So off to Notre Dame we went, up the stairs to another beautiful day, and then Joe ran across the road, said "hang on" and ran off. I thought I was dreaming, and started to cry. Was I imagining things? Then he reappeared with Jade. This was my last birthday surprise.

We eventually got to sit down in the Shakespeare & co cafe, after they had finished a photoshoot. We had a lot to talk about. Jade had only discovered Monday morning that her passport was out of date, so before catching the Eurostar from London on Tuesday, Jade and Joe had gone via Peterborough to get herself a new passport. They had arrived the night before and were staying tonight in a hotel.

We walked to a couple of caches, then onto the south bank. We found a great toy shop where we got a new train game, then had lunch outside St Sulphice (Di Vinci code).

Walked back to river, via a wonderful little model shop, past the Louvre and finally found a cookery shop I had been looking for. It was amazing.

Back past the Louvre, through the gardens and along the Christmas Fair. We managed to find a few more presents, and lots of nice food. Started to go cold, so went into the Louvre for an hour.
Then it was time for us to get our train home, so we headed for the Metro and they set off for their hotel.

A day off for our tired feet

We had a nice lie in this morning and got up slowly. Did ou work and Chris managed to locate the owner and pay. Very cheap and we got our 7th night free, then after lunch went in search of Carrefour in Beauvais. Not that easy, and we got lost several times. Found an Intermache to fill up before we ran out of fuel, and then we found Carrefour. After all that it was a bit disappointing, but we did buy a lot of cheap cider.
Once home we found a car parked in front of the caravan so we could not park up. Chris found the owner in reception, who then spent the next 10 mins trying to locate the owner. Turned out to be a guy just wandering around the toilets. He just got in the car and drove off. Very odd.
Dinner, film, early night.

Paris

No problem getting up this morning, as so excited about going to Paris. Left at 10, and at train station at 10.30. The main car park was full, but we found another one down the road with spaces, and still free. The nice lady in the ticket office printed our tickets, and also 2 for Wednesday. Within 10 mins the double decker train pulled up, and we found some seats on the top deck.

The train journey was smooth and quiet. Very nice and relaxing. At Gare du Nord we went down into the Metro and bought a 'Carnet' of 10 tickets. Quickly found our tube, and within four stops we were walking out into the beautiful sunny day to see Notre Dame.

Across the river we amazingly found a book shop I was looking for "Shakespeare & co", an English book shop set up by an American woman in 1917. It was a lovely shop to wander round, and we picked up a few bits. Found a loo outside the cathedral, and also lots of armoured soldiers.

We walked around the back of Notre Dame, where I did my first cache in Paris, then off the island onto the North Bank. It was very noisy and loads of traffic, so scuttled back to the island.

Followed it to its most westerly point and then returned to the mainland. Found a little cafe, and had a wonderful lunch.

Walked past the Louvre and went to look at the pyramid. Not bad, apart from the gift shop and entrance they have attached to it, which does rather spoil the whole effect. Walking through the gardens there were an awful lot of traders, but they gradually disappeared, and it was a pleasant walk to the Place de la Concorde.

From here onwards there was a huge Christmas market, which we walked up along the Champs Elysee. There were some nice things, and we picked up a few presents.

After about an hour, headed towards the river and walked along it until we reached the Eiffel Tower. It looked stunning as it lit up and the sun went down.

Back to the metro, 1 change, and we were back at Gare du Nord, in time for the 6.30 train.
It was a restful trip back to the car, and then popped into a supermarket to pick up a few bits. It was late, and we were tired, but we still enjoyed having a look around. Back at the van for 9, and then ate and watched a film, before falling into bed at midnight.

A look around Camping de Trye

We had a nice lie in this morning, and awoke to hear our Dutch neighbours moving about. After shower, Chris went out and was told by them that the reception would be open at 10. Our new friends were packed up and at the office bang on time, but the guy could not speak much English. So Chris said he would return later. The Dutchman told Chris that he had borrowed the campervan, but he prefered his caravan. They were off to Spain and Portugal for 5 weeks.

Egg on toast for breeky, then ou work. We had a new cat friend at this campsite, who sat on the step and then the water barrel. Still no one at reception, so had lunch and then went for a drive.

Firstly we checked out the closest train station for a trip to Paris. This was just 30 mins away, across very pretty countryside. The car parking was free, and there were trains every hour. We then headed for the main city of Beauvais.

As it was Sunday, the traffic was not to bad, so we drove right into the centre, and parked up to look at the huge cathedral. It was a lovely day, and a nice chance to stretch our legs. As we headed out we found signs for a Carrefour, but no sign of it.

Did find an automated car wash, so Chris could give Ronda a clean.

Home for dinner and a film.