Friday 23rd October 2009 Paris

An early start for our weekend to Paris, up at 03:30 and in the yard for 04:30!
We have had a few comments recently about early starts and we always explain that by leaving Petersfield at 05:30 we miss all the traffic at Hindhead which would then make us late in Guildford and then the M25 would be busier. We wouldn’t have time for a comfort stop before Dover or Folkestone and when arriving at either it is not too busy.
We have experimented with leaving an hour later but it just doesn’t work and you end up chasing your own backside all day!
After Petersfield we pick-up in Liphook and then finally in Guildford where we are away by 06:20, ten minutes ahead of schedule.
After a short stop between here and Folkestone for toilets and newspapers, we arrive at the shuttle terminal bang on eight o’clock. We are originally booked on the 09:50 train but catch the 09:20 which will help when we hit the Paris traffic later.
An hour and forty minutes after leaving Calais we stop on the motorway for some lunch. It is normally very busy here but today there are very few coaches and no queuing in the restaurant.
Brian enjoys ham, spinach and chips and I have a lasagne, what a life we lead!
Approaching Paris we still haven’t had a traffic jam and eventually arrive at our hotel, the Novotel Reuil Malmaison at 15:00. And the rooms are ready.
This was the part of the tour I was concerned about as we are taking the passengers into Paris this evening for a meal and I didn’t want to arrive late at the hotel and then have to go straight out again. By arriving at three we can relax until departing at five.
The hotel is located about 12km from the centre of the city, a drive of about 20 minutes.
Just before five we all meet in the reception area for a welcome drink (only soft drinks!) before boarding the coach for a trip into Paris.
When sending the final letters for this tour out we asked if anybody wanted to have dinner in a restaurant we knew and could book for them. It is an optional choice which 29 passengers took up. The remaining passengers are going to find their own meals.
The restaurant is situated close to the Pantheon and is only open to groups. We used it a couple of years ago and it was very well received.
Again the traffic is light for a Friday evening and we reach the Arc de Triomphe in half an hour and the Pantheon by 17:50.
I walk the people to the restaurant and see them seated before returning to the coach and going with Brian to park near the Luxembourg Palace. We catch a taxi back and sit down for our meal.
The passengers are all sitting downstairs in what looks like a cellar with an arched brick ceiling. The menu is a glass of wine followed by a choice of five starters, five main courses, a cheese board and five choices of dessert. On top of this there was as much beer, wine and soft drinks as you could drink! All for the price of €30 which is very good value in Paris.
Brian had six snails for starters while I was more conservative having the soup. We both have a delicious plate of turkey, potatoes and broccoli followed by some cheese. All washed down with some sparkling water! And we don’t pay! What a life!
It is bit of a hike back to the coach but we manage it like the true troupers we are! It is just a short drive around the block to return to the Pantheon.
No it’s not! One of the roads we want is closed and we have to divert through a busy junction and arrive at the pick-up point ten minutes late where all of the passengers who went off on their own are waiting but none of those who went to the restaurant that included all drinks!
They start staggering back with lots of chatter and giggles!
From here we take the passengers on a tour of Paris by night which I think went down well, they all seem happy when they get off the coach back at the hotel but then that could be down to the wine consumed!
Brian and I enjoy a couple of beers before calling it a day.