Paris dispatch

We bought some croissants in Paris yesterday and I’ve just eaten some now and they were delicious! Anyway, so Paris in the autumn (although at times it was more spring-like than autumn) the weather was clear, dry and mild and it made all the difference. Although most people have travelled on Eurostar by now, it was my first trip on Monday. It was a pleasant experience; no hold ups, no delays, a clean, comfortable train and quite mind boggling that it only took us 2hrs 15 minutes to be in Paris! I no longer travel so much that stuff like that doesn’t impress me!

We jumped in a taxi at Gard du Nord and arrived at our lovely hotel in about half an hour. We were staying at the Hotel Cadran (walking distance from the Eiffel Tower). It was lovely! Because we had gone for a Eurostar deal i.e., travel and accommodation in one, we had no prior knowledge or experience of the hotel but we had checked some independent reviews and the lowest the hotel had scored was 7.5 out of 10. And the main criticism was that the rooms were quite small.

It’s a small, stylish boutique hotel. Impeccably clean, well furnished and the staff were very nice. There was a bar, large open fire, international newspapers and hundreds of books you could borrow in the foyer, and had we been there longer I would have definitely spent more time in the bar area, it was very relaxed and the large windows facing the street meant you could watch the world go by...

The rooms were small but not excessively so, we were very comfortable and it was nice to have a mini bar as well. Every room was en-suite and the showers were very powerful so waking up wasn’t a problem! Breakfast was, as you would expect, a mixture of cereals; croissants; baguettes; cheeses; ham; fruit; yoghurt; lovely strong coffee and creamy hot chocolate – and you could have as much as you wanted! So we left every morning well fed and watered.

We only really did one touristy thing and that was a river tour. Highly, highly recommended, even if you have been to Paris before (which we all had, my partner on quite a few occasions because she has French relatives). It was so relaxed and a lovely way to see the city. But really, we concentrated on shopping! We made several trips to Lafayette a famous department store, akin to Selfridges. Where we bought food, a dog toy and some Christmas decorations! The Champs Elyse’s where we bought music and for me, a Quicksilver hat (finally a hat that doesn’t make me look like I need constant adult supervision!), we bought art prints, champagne, cheese, biscuits, even a penknife! We went to the Louvre which was closed but I did take some pictures of the glass pyramid which always impresses me. Then we found a cafe where I made the mistake of ordering a ‘large’ beer. Well... see picture! Everyone in the cafe burst out laughing because clearly I had thought I was ordering a pint, when in fact I was ordering a keg! (I finished it though!) We ate well, drank lots of coffee and wine and had a very chilled and enjoyable time.

Parisians are generally quite rude, but like Londoners who are also very rude at times, ask for help and they will show great kindness. I guess it’s a big city thing. It’s difficult dealing with tourists all the time – tourists that don’t speak the language, don’t know where they are going, and often don’t know about the unwritten rules of city etiquette that exist to keep us rushing from one place to the other often with a sense of our own importance. Basically, tourists get in the way!

Buses are a great way to get around. It costs 1.50 per trip, or there is a day pass for 5.50. Don’t expect to get a seat though, not just when things get busy but there are less seats on French, or certainly, Paris buses. Expect to see a lot of small dogs being carried in large bags. If you intend to drive then you are mad. Paris drivers are the most impatient and risk taking drivers I’ve ever clapped eyes on, it’s like a stock car race. And if you decide you still want to drive, may whichever god you believe in, go with you, because you’ll need all the help you can get!

Don’t dismiss Eurostar deals –we thought they might be expensive, but we got a great deal and ended up in a lovely hotel. (But don’t forget to look up independent reviews of the hotel online to make sure you choose a good hotel.) If you like well-done meat, you may end becoming a vegetarian for your stay. It’s just easier. Even a cheeseburger I had was red in the middle and if you get a steak and want it well done, well, let’s just say it’s would be easier if you carried around your own grill! If you drink black coffee but are surprised that you keep getting an expresso, ask for a long coffee. That way you get a regular cup of coffee and not a teeny cup of, delicious but not really what you want, expresso. Oh and be careful what size beer you order! Look up restaurants around the hotel as well, there’s nothing so nice as to have a lovely meal, too much wine, and then to be able to amble back to the hotel taking in the night air.

I definitely want to go back, and would try and stay in the same hotel. This time though I think I would like to do more touristy things. Paris is just so interesting it deserves many visits! My mum had a great time as well, it was after all, her birthday present. Right now though, reality beckons – unpacking, laundry and walking a very relaxed Mr. P who had his own holiday with friends. Although I might have another long coffee and some apricot flan before I start work, keep the holiday spirit for a little longer...

Do nothing

When my boss agreed to me home-working I'm not sure she ever imagined me working in bed eating a jammy dodger with the heating on. But such is the simple beauty of laptops and wireless broadband. But in my defence (do I need one, really?) I am doing a lot of work. I'm just a damn sight more comfortable than if I was in the office. (Just had a coconut biscuit, didn't enjoy it as much... )

We have decided we need a 'doing nothing' holiday. And so that's exactly what we are going to do. We're going to hire a caravan out of season in Cornwall in January, for two weeks, with the dog, and do nothing except crosswords, walking on deserted beaches, cooking, some exploring (not much, we wouldn't want to tire ourselves out), reading the books that Santa brought us and sleeping. There may be wine and real ale involved I couldn't possibly say... but we're tired. We're always on the go. Even our glorious holiday in Scotland (surely one of the most beautiful places on earth? Discuss.) was pretty full on, moving hither and thither (I love that expression). And no, in answer to that unspoken question, we are not going to house hunt. Yes, of course, if a brilliant but unlooked for opportunity arose and we were in 'hood, we would view somewhere, but we don't want to do, we just want to be.

This weekend I have to work on Saturday - they so rarely ask me, that I genuinely don't mind doing a bit extra and in the evening we have a friend's 40 birthday to celebrate. Talking of celebrating birthdays, Paris is just around the corner (Dec 3) my mum's 60th birthday present. I'm so excited and really looking forward to leaving from St. Pancreas. It'll be like the old movies, when stations were grand, imposing structures; gateways to adventure... not like now when they are grim and dirty; cold edifaces of practicality and frustration.

Anyway, I'd better crack on, if I do everything I'm supposed to, I might be able to have an afternoon nap!

(PS. Looks like the production company will be moving on the script early in the new year... how exciting!)

Happy retirement mum!

My mum is retiring! Out of context this may not seem a very big deal, but for a very ill woman battling cancer, this is wonderful, fantastic, extraordinary news! I shall explain… St. Christopher’s hospice (yes I know, I went cold when I heard the words ‘hospice’ and ‘I have an appointment’) but my mum was quick to point out that it was nothing like that, they employ advisors that can help ill people (not just terminally ill people) and they worked out that she can afford to retire and that based on the consultant’s recommendations this should be done as soon as possible because her working was seriously impacting on her health and recovery. In the meantime, her hospital doctor has signed her off work (I think he must have said something akin to ‘now listen here missus, you are not well enough to work and if I have to confiscate your travel card and steal all your shoes you will bloody well rest!’)

I felt quite emotional when she told me last night. She actually sounded a little better already. Apparently she is going to be doing some volunteering and take a course. For some people, retirement is a frightening thing; a prelude to a rapid decline into old age and fragility, for my mum, I really do believe it will be the making of her! And of course, she will be healthier, simply because she is resting more.

I will be making a donation to St. Christopher’s hospice and I might take some flowers down because I have the names of the two women who have helped her so much. It is an amazing thing that there are people out there who by dint of their knowledge, understanding, patience and sheer determination can help people with the practicalities of life (benefits, pensions, housing, complimentary therapies) when they are at their most vulnerable. I hope they – and others like them – will always be there to help and make a real difference to people’s lives.

We have decided that when we get to Paris we will take her to a posh restaurant and order champagne and celebrate not just her birthday but her retirement too!

This is great for us as well (selfish gene alert) because it means when we have kids she can baby-sit more and look after our growing menagerie of animals (although the sea monkeys are fairly self sufficient). I may have to buy her a car though, it seems a bit mean making her take the bus, lol!

Paris in December!

We’re knackered after driving down to Brighton last night to say goodbye to two dear friends who are moving to Sydney, and driving back the same night. (My partner drove back so I could have a drink, which I did. Several.) There were a few tears at the end of the evening. It’s crazy, we go months without seeing them and we may have gone months more, but they were always there. Well, one of them travels the world on business and was as often away as he was here, but you know what I mean. Anyway, well worth the trip. Great party, lovely people and a nice goodbye to two very nice guys. (Although ever the opportunist, I am thinking when can we visit?!)

The car performed beautifully after I picked it up from the garage Saturday morning. I was pleasantly surprised at the cost, the quality of work seems high and even my partner said how smooth and powerful and easy to drive the car was. So hopefully all our car troubles are at an end!

Today – other than slobbing around in our PJs, eating bacon and egg bagels and playing with the dog – we did a really nice thing… My mum has always wanted to go to Paris and we decided a couple of month ago that we would take her for her upcoming birthday. Well we’ve just booked everything! Three days in Paris at a lovely hotel and return tickets on Eurostar in December so we can christmas shop as well! I’m so delighted, she really deserves a lovely birthday surprise.

Now the other mum has turned up, the in law. A nice surprise and an excuse for tea and biscuits!