Paris Rally
Easter 2006
Friday 7th April 12.00pm we are packed and ready to leave for Paris, Dad is hurrying to leave determined to get around the M25 by 3 o’clock, personally I can’t see why we need to leave so early just to get to Dover!
We arrive at Dover at about 4.30pm and sit and relax waiting for our friends to arrive. Dave and Yvonne arrive, and then the Phillips, a few more to arrive and we’re set for the holiday. Paul comes round about an hour later ‘Just received a call from Bethan and Gareth there’s an accident at Junction 10 they're 'stuck there for a while'. A little while after that we received a call from Steve and Sharon ‘were at junction 12’ it was not going to be a good evening for some! Bethan and Gareth arrived at about 10.30 pm but Steve and Sharon never got to the site as the majority of the night was spent on the M25, things could only get better.
We woke Saturday morning and departed for France along with many of our friends, we got the boat across, not the calmest of crossings ever. We set off for Paris and about half way down we pulled into a service area, then the Phillips did along with the Fieldings, Dowlers, Elkins and Ropers, we had all managed to get to the same service station at the same time. What the French cyclist thought I dread to think. We all continued down to Paris and a few hours later we were at a lovely site just outside Paris, the marshals had done us proud, the staff were wonderful and Florence the owner couldn’t help quick enough, so we settled in and were welcomed with a drink and hot cross buns.
Sunday, Tony and I head off to Disney for a fun filled day with Mickey and Minnie.
Monday, we were up bright and early for the coach trip into Paris; we went to the Notre Dame, past Concorde, up the Champs Elysees, around the Arc de Triumphe, past a palace or 2 or 3 plus many more places. We stopped for 2 hours underneath the Eiffel Tower for lunch and had a wonderful meal in a little restaurant just round the corner, I don’t think they were expecting a load of British tourists to ask for a table for 13, but they quickly seated us and served us a fantastic meal. We had a lovely evening socialising with friends and an early night to prepare for another day in Disney.
Tuesday morning, we set off us, Dave and Yvonne and Steve and Sharon. Now for anyone that knows Dave and Yvonne Hopkins they will know they don’t do big rides but we went on the Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones (complete with 360 loop) and Big thunder mountain the runaway mine train amongst many others and I have the pictures to prove it. Steve who like Dave and Yvonne wasn’t to keen, came off Indiana Jones and said that was awesome, next thing we know he’s on Space Mountain! So after a long day we retired back to the van to some fabulous fresh fish kindly prepared for me by my mum.
Wednesday and we head off to the RER/ Metro to get the train into the centre of Paris. We walk along the Champs Elysees, go to Planet Hollywood for lunch and we also decided to climb the 284 steps up the Arc de Triumphe. We return back to camp as people are getting ready to for the evening meal on the boat trip, although we do not go ourselves. We hear the food was excellent.
Thursday comes and it’s back to Disney along with many other people. Today we are visiting the Walt Disney Studios. We see a fantastic stunt show and special effects display. A parade full of all the Disney characters go throughout the park. Then we hit the shops to purchase a couple of items.
Friday is decided to be a day to relax, after a hectic week, so we hit the shops at Val De Europe. We get a towel from the Porsche shop, Yellow wellies from Aigle, t-shirt and socks from Ralph Lauren for dad, plus another small purchase for dad. Those who were there Saturday night had the chance to view this new purchase the rest will have to wait for Henley.
Saturday is another early start as we are back off to Paris and up the Eiffel Tower. We get to the Eiffel tower and me being me, I choose the shortest queue. Everyone had said to me they had queued for 1 hour 30 minutes plus, I must have just got lucky. Wrong! After 10 minutes of queuing I realised I was in the queue for the stairs only, Oh well its not that far after all we did the Arc De Triumphe it’s only slightly higher isn’t it? 680 steps later, Answer: No! I decide at the second level that this is quite high enough but Tony convinces me I will regret it if I don’t go to the top so I go up and quickly come back down again! We return to the site just in time to get ready for the evening meal and what a fantastic it meal it was! Quiche Lorraine to start, homemade with loads of bacon, followed by Beef Bourguignon, cheese and salad, Apple tart and ice cream, finished off with coffee, with flag in between courses what a superb end to the holiday!
Sunday and people start to pack up, some are leaving today and some are staying till tomorrow, so one last trip to Disney Village to spend the rest of what’s left of our money. Then Monday arrives and its off to Calais, calling in at Cite de Europe on the way home! Thankfully it was a much calmer crossing on the way back!
A fantastic rally - as I’m sure all who were there would agree. A massive Thank you to the marshals - Trevor and Jenny along with Alan and Carol.
Another outstanding rally!
Laura
Photos © & courtesy of Laura Cartwright & Alan Druce
Click on the image to enlarge
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