After leaving family catchups

Monday – Trip up to Reading provided by Derek (big hugs). Found dad in really good spirits and great health. Ness came round early afternoon – long time no see! Returned with Ness to greet the kids from school where Georgia had her first fun day at high school. Jake and Harry in good spirits too. Nipped round to quickly catch up with Jacky and Sylvie. Ness dropped me back at dad’s where John was sitting happily with his new “pogo” thingy. At least he is happy anyway!

Went to the carvery for a meal which was really nice and a great guy called “Raymond” who was the server for the day. Back to dads where we had an evening of catch up before heading off to bed.

Started off the morning with breakfast before Mick and Ness called round to say their final farewell for this trip. It has been a great few days and worth the wait but did go way too fast. We decided to get a taxi up to St Pancras to catch the Euro Star which was confirmed as a wise decision as the tubes are still out and also in France too! Set off just before 10am and ended up having to take a detour due to major traffic hold ups and ended up getting on the train with 8 minutes to spare. Got to Paris and luckily after walking the whole length of the train in London to get to our carriage found we were at the front of the train in Paris so luckily only had a few people in front of us at the taxi rank.

Hotel is pretty good and a nice spacious room just short on tea making ingredients. Set off for a walk and dinner and headed toward the Champs Elysee, saw also the Eifel Tower, Concorde and had a walk along the Seine. Had a great dinner of Prawn and avocado salad with grapefruit, bread, wine and then a lovely creme caramel. John had Sardines to start (served in a tin!!), Lamb chops and then crepe suzette with Grande Marnier.

Got breakfast lined up at a little brasserie 30 seconds walk from the hotel.