Wanderlust: Day 16 - Off to Paris!

Dinner last night at “Perrotts”, which is the ‘bistro’ restaurant at the Hayfield. Basically the same menu as “Orchids” but a little more casual – highly recommend! Choosing Hayfield Manor was a great decision….immaculate surroundings, great service, it had all the hallmarks of a five star hotel right down to the chocolates on the pillows each night! The facilities were wonderful from the ambience in the bar, the restaurants, the gym, pool and accompanying bathrooms, down to the Elemis toiletries.

Ireland has been a wonderful experience. We drove exactly1300 kms in seven days so saw quite a lot of Ireland. The language is intriguing both to see it written and to hear it. The people were very friendly and though we didn’t spend too many nights in Irish pubs, we still managed to meet and chat to quite a lot of locals. The weather was quite good also. The only day that was rainy was new year’s day and I wasn’t feeling well enough to sightsee anyway – so all good!

This morning we left at about 11.45am and after a 15 minute stop along the way we made it to Dublin Airport in just under three hours. The roads are great with the speed limit mostly 120kms/hr on the freeways.

Small plane and an hour and a half flight we are in Paris. Faaarrrcckk! We end up with an insane cab driver! 140 in 110 zone then 114 in 70 zone! One lane across four lanes to another lane never once using his indicator then had the cheek to charge us 110 euros! I am going to hire a driver on the way out L I think it will be cheaper and not nearly as heart stopping! Did I mention that he kept texting also! We are booked into the Citadine Suites Louvre so we dump our bags and set off for a late night walk through Paris. You forget how long the blocks are and it is really quite chilly! We find a café and have a late night meal washed down with a bottle ‘du vin’. The room is very nice and also has a kitchen with everything from a washing machine, dishwasher, microwave … you name it!

We are only staying tonight though and off on the train to Chartres tomorrow – night all! xx