Sunday 24 October Paris Versailles

Am up, showered, packed and breakfasted by 07:30. I walk to the coach hoping I haven't received a parking ticket for stopping on a bus stop overnight and am relieved to see the windscreen clear of any nasty bits of paper. There is another coach also parked in the bus stop with me and the two other bus stops below me that I can see are also filled with coaches!
I drive around the one way system, passing coaches parked in every available bus stop, and arrive at the hotel in time for our 08:20 departure. It doesn't take long to load the luggage and the passengers and we are on our way to Versilles.
We are on the right side of Paris and the journey only takes 40 minutes. We are one of the first coaches there which is good because anyone wanting to visit the Palace will not have to queue for long.
It is a lovely fresh autumn day with the sun out but cold and clear.
There is also a wonderful produce market in the town which I always encourage people to visit, not necessarily to buy anything but to soak up the lovely atmosphere.
I am a bit concerned today as the fuel gauge is nudging the red! I had called Brian and he filled up a couple of days before this trip but also has used the coach in between so I have come away without a full tank! And here's me telling everyone we would have no problems getting home!
We are away from Versailles at midday and soon on the motorway north, passing garages with long queues for fuel!
I am hoping that the further we are away from Paris the more chance of fuel.
Am now driving in the red. I have less than 200km of fuel and it is 200km to Calais! Squeaky bum time!
About an hour from Paris I pull into a near deserted service area hoping it is just quiet and not deserted due to a lack of fuel.
I fill the coach up feeling pretty relieved.
We carry on a bit further before stoppping for a break and then carry on to Calais and our 17:20 shuttle.
Am back in Petersfield by 19:30 after a great, but eventful, weekend.
I can't wait to return to Paris.