First Week In May.

Thursday 1st May. Hi its me here again to let you know our happenings. Kevin had his routine teaching day. I did some banking and got some Euro's for our trip to Paris. Voting for London's Mayor and city council is on today. ( No vote for us though )

Friday 2nd May. Kev teaching all day. We left on our trip via Eurolines coach to Paris at 10pm. We went over the English Channel via train ( Eurotunnel) It was amazing as the bus drove into a train carriage and that took us through to Calais. Arrived in Paris at 7.oo am. We got the Metro into the center of town to the Opera House. Its the largest theatre for Opera in the World. It can accommodate 2000 people and on stage 450 performers also. It is a building from the Napoleon era, designed in 1862 and is a beautiful decorative building.

We then decided to call in to our Hotel and drop our bag off. It was a very hot day. There was a Metro station near our Hotel at Corvisart, so with map in hand these two sprightly oldies set off to explore Paris.

We stopped at Birk-hakeim which is the station for the Eiffel Tower. When the Eiffel Tower was constructed more than 100 yrs ago it was regarded as a hideous eye sore, now its the most universally beloved symbol of Paris. The extraordinary dimensions just remind us what a genius Gustave Eiffel was to design it and erect it for the World Fair in 1889.

Whilst we were having an ice cream underneath the Tower my phone rang and guess what. It was our son Paul so we had a good ol chat which was awesome. It was an amazing experience to see the Eiffel Tower at last.

We next headed on to the Hop on Hop off Bus for the city tour. Its always a good idea to get your bearings in a new city. Seeing sights such as Musee da Louvre, Notre Dame, Musee D'orsay, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde and the Trocadero. All wonderful sights.

Next we went on the Hop on Hop off Batobus- a river boat shuttle service. It was really beautiful cruising down the Seine. The Seine has 37 bridges crossing it and they reflect the architecture of Paris. The Oldest is called "Pont Neuf" (means New Bridge) dates 1604. The newest bridge was opened in 1977 and is the "Pont Charles-de-Gaulle" shaped like a Aircraft wing. But the most photogenic bridge is "Pont Alexandre" with its candelabra style lamps.

Due to the very hot day lots of people were out walking, picnicing, lazing by the river. Paris has a staggering 7,000 acres of Parks and Gardens. Such as Jardine des Tuileries, Jardin du Luxembourg and Bois de Vincennes.
Kevin and I then headed back to our Hotel for a well earnt rest.

Sunday 4th May. Up and off early after a delightful French Brekky. Around our corner there was a fabulous Market beginning with wonderful produce; Meats, Poultry, Fish, Bakery Fruits and Vegies....a bit different than the Car Boot Market by The Mill!

We headed off to Notre-Dame De Paris - the impressive sculpture covered cathedral. One of the Worlds most beautiful examples of early Gothic Architecture. The facade is absolutely remarkable. Kev and I walked around the island it sits on ( Citie).
Our next destination was the Musee du Louvre. The 1st Sunday in May is Free to the people of Paris. So how lucky was that for two budget watching Kiwis! The origin of the Louvre dates back to the 13th century when Philippee Auguste had a fortress built. We saw the sculpture - Venus De Milo ( a famous Greek Statue) and of course the famous Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci which is a very elegant painting with her famous slight smile. We spent approx 3 hrs wandering around here quite gobbsmacked.

We then wandered down the Jardin des Tuileries and saw lots of people out and about doing the same in the lovely Paris sunshine.

Kev and I dropped back to the Hotel for a shower and change and went straight back out to enjoy Paris by night. We had dinner at a cafe at the Trocadero and viewed Paris by night. The Eiffel Tower was sparkling with heaps of Bling Bling. We then headed home via the Metro after our action packed day in Paris.

Monday 5 May. Today our goal was to go to the very top of the Eiffel Tower. Which we did ! We had decided due to the large lines on Sat and Sun to delay this until today when most would be back at work. We walked to the 2nd level and then got the lift to the top. The Eiffel Tower is without doubt Paris's symbol. Beneath the Eiffel Tower is the green area Champs-de-Mars, once a military field, but now a beautiful garden.

Kevin and I next headed to the Champs-Elysees to see the "Arch of Triumph". The Champs-Elysees is a wide road with very wide footpaths with luxurious shops, theatres, restaurants and offices. Up at the top is the Place-de-Gaulle and radiating out are 13 large streets. In the middle is the Imposing Arch of Triumph. We walked up to the very top for a superb view. Napoleon ordered it to be built as a Memorial to the Great Army. ( it was completed in 1836) Kevin and I window shopped here on the Champs-Elysees and ended up having a cup of tea at MacDonalds. Big spenders eh. We then caught the Metro back to see the Trocadero again and to take some more photos.

We then caught the Metro back to the Hotel to fetch our bag. We still had time to spare so visited Place d' Italie for an hour or so. A nice little suburb of Paris. Then it was time to head to Porte de Bagnolet - the Euroline Coach depot to go back to London. ( We left at 10.30 pm) This time we crossed over to England via the ferry, arriving at Victoria Station at 7.00am.

We were both blown away with our trip to Paris for it is such a beautiful city which we both loved.

Tuesday 6th May. Kevin and I arrived back in Greenwich at 8.00am and went straight to bed. I set the alarm for 11.00 am as Kevin had school starting at 1.30 pm.

We both went to bed early tonight as we were still tired.

Wednesday 7th May. Kevin teaching as usual. My C.R.B. police check arrived, so I went in and got my I.D. to work.

Thursday 8th May. I got up early as my first nursing shift commences today at 7.30 am in a Medical Rehabilitation Ward in a small community Hospital in Stepney Green. It was quite good and buzy so the duty whizzed by.
In the evening we went to see the musical "The Sound of Music" at the London Palladium at Oxford Circus. It was an excellent show with wonderful singing, costumes, and scenery. We enjoyed it thoroughly.

Friday 9th May. A routine day. After Kevins work we have just relaxed and decided to do some emails and to update our blog. I have another am duty at the Hospital tomorrow. Therefore I will sign off for now. Cheers June.