PARIS DAY 3

And it’s goodbye from me and au revoir from him.

Dinner on Wednesday evening was again back to the restaurant just across the street. I was going to have fish but the temptation of the duck was far too strong and Mathieu had a huge bowl of moules (mussels) that he didn’t know the restaurant did! So that was a revelation! He spotted two chaps noshing them on an adjoining table.

Come the dawn, we had a leisurely breakfast dans le maison de Mathieu.

Possibly the biggest baguette in the world! And then another adventure on the Metro to the place de la republique and time for a coffee and to watch the world go by.

We then strolled leisurely through an Arabic quarter and then into a Chinese district, heading towards a Thai restaurant for lunch. It was in an area that Mathieu grew up in and knew very well indeed.

Some amazing buildings and the odd window display that nearly spoilt my appetite! It reminded me of the, butchers where I grew up in Salford, where rabbits were hung happily outside the premises. It’s remarkable how sanitised we have become in the UK. We paused at yet another bar but this time for a pre lunch beer. The little restaurant was very quiet and you could hear yourself talk very easily; such a blessing that is not possible in many English restaurants these days – or is that just me?

I forgot to take a picture of the delicious Thai salad starter before I ate it. Sorry! But as unbelievable as it may seem I plumped once more for duck. At least I’m consistent, if also incredibly unadventurous!
And that was that folks. My flight was at 18-05 and Mathieu very kindly drove me to the airport. There is no charge for dropping someone off at Charles de Gaulle – Gatwick and Heathrow please note! Why do we put up with being ripped off in this country?

We left Paris as the sun set and the flight was only delayed by thirty minutes, and at least this time I did have a window seat – paying £8 again to change it. Why? They do see me coming don’t they? We flew in over London and you can see Battersea Power station to the right of the bridge. Landing at a C gate meant a good old walk to the little shuttle train and by the time I got to passport control, I must have looked fairly old and knackered because a kind lady raised one of those ribbon partitions so I didn’t have to do that pointless zig-zagging. These are fine when there is a crowd to control but a tad stupid when there isn’t. So happily hobbling to the automated Heathrow pod parking, imagine my deflation as a sign and a load of barriers told me it wasn’t working. I had instead to go in search of bus stop number 28. Fantastic! I always love a happy ending, don’t you?

Thanks for reading – hope you enjoyed the trip! Malcolm 🇫🇷✈️🇬🇧🥖🍷

Paris

Day 2 with Mathieu from Paris by The Seine.

Left Heathrow just after one o’clock yesterday. I had paid £8 to change my seat from one in the middle of the row to one by the window. I was quite happy in the Hub going to Terminal 5. Not so happy when I realised 30F, the seat I had paid to sit in, had no blooming window!

Also despite having a wonderful selection of foods and drink in front of me in their little brochure non were served on board! So bang went my idea of a gin and tonic and wonderful Tom Kerridge sandwich! A double whammy!

Hey ho! Mathieu was there to collect me, after what seemed like a walking holiday of Terminal 2D at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Traffic was really bad heading back into town but we safely arrived and finally a gin was taken! We ate in the wonderful restaurant just opposite Mathieu’s lovely apartment.

After breakfast of croissants and coffee we headed for the Metro and the centre of Paris.

Arriving at Notre Dame via the flower market, we sat for a while watching the world go by and wondering why so many police confronted a driver in a parked Mercedes.

A short stroll brought us to a small cafe and the very nice maître d, decided we looked so friendly he would offer us all three courses on the menu of the day, instead of just a choice of two!

You can see above a huge starter of meats various, steak and frites (again!) and a very light chocolate dessert. Tonight I promise to eat something different! And that did for both of us frankly. Back to the apartment for a snooze!

The clock is on de la Conciergerie and was originally a prison. The weather was perfect – no rain -not too hot and not too cold! We have to leave tomorrow at three, a shame because ex LWT chums by sheer coincidence are arriving in Paris. Sarah from the locations office and David Fitzgerald are both rocking into town on Eurostar! Life just gets very odd sometimes! We could have all met up but alas it ain’t going to happen.

BEFORE AND AFTER LUNCH

Stay safe! Malcolm 🇫🇷🥖🇫🇷✈️