Paris Day Two - Part One - Wednesday

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Day One Wednesday – Discovery Day and West Paris

Breakfast was at the Patisserie next to the Hotel. This was an Award-Winning Patisserie right next to street we were in. So Breakfast was Fruit Swirl for Jennifer while I had a cream filled donut, we also got a Baguette of course. We then walked LA Bastille where we had been the previous day.

The Cafe's were now Open. 

We then walked down the canal to the river Seine, 

  We walked until we got the First Island and explored it.

The fine statues,parks and the Homes.

London has it's Large impressive Door Knockers, Paris the Impressive Doors.

 Firts sight of the Tower in the distance.

then walking along until we got to the Notre Dame. 

 The is one of the great buildings of the world but we had planned to go inside on Friday, today was dicovery day. So we just walk passed the beauty.

  This is where we picked up the Big Bus tickets for the day. Watched people watching the Tourist's

We hooped on the bus and it then went up the south side of the turning into Concorde and heading up to the Arch de Triumph.

We hoped off here and expolred the outside of the wonder.

 The Arch de Truimph is so magnificent as it pay trubute to all the men that have been lost in war. This is a very impressive Monument.

So we decided to and decide to go up the top of the Arch. 

The climb was up some steep spiral steps. Before coming out at the floor below the roof. 

This helped us catch our breath. We then climbed the last few steps onto the roof.

 The view of Paris is impressive, the only thing sticking up are church spires and major monuments. The view was 360’ around. Jennifer fear of heights was overcome as they had lots of high points she could comfortably stand on, where she could see without being on the edge.

 Of course what gose up must climb down.

Destination Paris - Tuesday

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Travel – Evening – Tuesday 8^th – Destination Paris

The Paris started at 16:30, when we arrived at St Pancras Station.

We quickly passed through the check-in as we had printed tickets from home.

Passing Customs was just as easy, but the departure lounge even at 16:40 was near full. We quick found some seats in the lounge and took the seats. Jennifer was very nervous but was glad to chill out as we wait for boarding, We had booked seats in the standard premium coaches. So when boarding started we let everyone else rush, the train wasn’t going to leave without us.  At 17:10 we boarded, Coach 3 and found the seats. We had tables in front of us, and no one filled those seats so we could spread out.  Right on time the Eurostar pulled out at 17:20. We had the usual welcomes and introductions from the staff on the train. For Jennifer, it was the realisation that we were heading for Paris.

It had been a long day packing and traveling to St Pancras so we just relaxed and enjoyed the view. Surprisingly about 20 minutes into the trip the meal started being served.  Nothing Flash but still a nice light meal. Well worth the £10 extra each.

At about the 30-minute mark we were traveling at 280Km/h and we entered the tunnel, we were only in it for about 20 minutes’ total. Hey, we were in France and the countryside changed. Surprising my first impression was no fences, and the occasional small graveyards. They crop the land very tightly. Hence no fences, occasionally you would see farmyards and that’s where the animals were.

The train trip was smooth with e gentle swaying from side to side, just enough to make Jennifer feel a little travel sick. So she just closed her eyes and went to sleep. The whole trip is about 3 hours long.

So we pulled into Paris and by 8:40 Paris time, we were out of the train station, and checking where we wanted to head. As the evening was still a bit light we started to head down ‘Boulevard De Magenta’ to ‘Republic Square’, So off we went. Passing plenty of little beautiful Churches, 

 It was evening and many cafes were open but not much else. So we were in the Square in about 25-minutes. Once in the square, we stopped for rest, and watched a Live Band and some Dancing, mostly Tango. 

t was not long before Jennifer was keen to get going again, so off we went, next target was ‘La Bastille’. 

By this time it was only the Café open and it was now dark, but surprisingly there were many Tourist pull Carry-on bags, this is a tourist town.

Once at La Bastille, it was only a small walk to the Hotel. Total time walking was 1 Hour. The hotel wasn’t flash but all we needed was bed and Shower, somewhere to call home for four days. By 10:00 we were in bed asleep, dreaming of the next day. WE WERE IN PARIS.

Off to see the Queen.

Saturday at last, and the Queens State room were open, so we had a wish to see something only open a few weeks a year.

These rooms are only for quests but open to the public only 2 weeks of the year.

We took of early to get to them to beat the queues, with being there so early we got in on the 09:45 session.

The queen was even Home. and not at Windsor.

We had time to admire the front gate of Buckingham Palace

They were so detailed.

Not your normal gates of course.

I even got to admire the Queen Victoria Monument without he crowds.

We got there on time But NO PHOTO's inside again. :-(

So off we went admiring the Staterooms and beautiful surrounds, the Art works and Rooms we magnificent But once outside int the gardens

The back of the Place is not something you see in the tourist brouchures

But they are just as grand.

We stopped an had something to eat, a Banana in the Place Gardens. 

And no we didn't see the queen, she was sleeping in.

But we got to see her home.

 The place of the Garden Parties.
After this it was off to the Royal Mews of Course.

 I was dissapointed here, No Horse, They all go on Holiday in August
And the Cars go to Rolls Royce for annual maintanence.

 But the carriages were in beautiful condition.

Even the Tackle was on Show.

 But the jewel is the coronation Carriage with it fine
carved scene of kings Neptune and Loins.

After the Mews it was up Piccadilly , Where we had  CAKE.
Yummy

 Down to the Horse Gaurds in their Summer Uniform.

 They looked so young.

 But the horse was very attentive.

Then passed Westminster

Listening to Bagpipes

 And other great Monuments.

Afternoon in London,

Well we went into London for the day, By Train of Course
And they go fast of course

I had a Job interview, so While I was there Jennifer went to the London Museum. The interview went weel, and whne we came out it was Late afternoon.

So we decided to avoid rush hour trains, they can be very crowded.  Now I had the New Camera I got look around a bit out St Paul's.

Looking up you so much more, This is a beautiful Building

We strolled down the Southbank

 Watch the city start to quieten down.
before sneaking by upto Leicester Square to a lovely Steak house for Dinner
Getting home about 9:30pm.

A quiet Day at the Temple

 Today was a quiet day at the temple

We were early int he morning on a day with plenty of rain.

But I was there just as one was around rain had paused.

But I only had my Iphone camera.

:-)