Paris - NYE

Off to Gare St Lazare to make a reservation for our train trip to Dijon on Wednesday.  If you want to travel on the TGV you must pay for the reservation (in this case it was 35E each) otherwise you can travel on a normal regional train.  We check out the windows of Printemps and wander around inside for a while.  Louis Vuitton did the windows at Galleries Lafayettes and Dior has done the Printemps windows.  Absolutely beautiful.   Next down on the Metro to the George Pompidou Centre to visit the Salvador Dali exhibit.....unfortunately there is a three hour wait in the queue :(  

We stop for lunch then just wander the streets of Paris around the Iles St Louis, the Notre Dame (there is a queue here that stretches around the block) in and out of shops and then grab a cab back to the Rond Pont.  The Spanish tapas bar is open so we take a little sojourn before going back to our room.

I complained this morning about the noise in our room (#411) so we have been moved to #409.  Not only is this a bigger room but it is also on the other side of the courtyard away from the street so very quiet.  The hotel has now gone back up in my estimation.

Paris - 30/12/12

Today we set off after our coffee and croissant to visit the Musee D’Orsay.   We arrive at 9.30am, which is opening time, and there is already a queue.  It takes about 30 minutes to make it inside where we head straight to the new “Fashion” exhibit then onto the Impressionists……..Monet, Manet, Pissarro, Renoir, Cezanne …….. just beautiful.  Although there is more to see, Gordy wants to visit St Sulpice so we are soon on our way.

View from Musee D'Orsay

Being Sunday there is a service on at St Sulpice so it is a very reverent visit.  We step over the resident beggars on the way out and head toward Rue de Raspail.  On the map everything looks quite compact but when you start to walk you suddenly realize how just how large the blocks really are.   My retail therapy has clearly been foiled as there are some great shops along the way (including “Save the Queen”) and they are all closed! 

We retrace our steps back to ‘Ralph’s’ for lunch (although I’m sure we have walked around in circles).  This is Ralph Lauren’s restaurant and a great little haven for lunch…..and my 29E hamburger was yummy….although by now it’s about 3pm so I was a little hungry.  Off again passed market stalls toward the Louvre but nature calls so we have to quickly find somewhere to sit for a glass of wine as an excuse!  We shoot into this typically tiny Parisian café where everybody sits elbow to elbow and order wine and fromage and it’s not long before we start chatting to the couple on the next table, Charlotte, a surgeon and Soto, a solicitor.  There is soon a bottle of wine being shared followed by cognacs all round and the exchange of emails etc.  As we are leaving the restaurant I am stopped by a girl who hails from Brisbane and tells me she used to babysit my kids!  She is holidaying with her mother - I know the face, can’t remember the name.  It really is a small world.  We do the long walk back to the hotel and although Soto and Charlotte have invited us out for drinks at about 9.30pm, it’s not long before we are both catching zzzs!  

Ralph's - 173 Boulevard St Germai

Gordy at lunch and in front of St Sulpice 

    

PS It is now 3am and I am listening, once more to the sounds of Paris outside our window ..... the very loud, very annoying sounds!  If they can't change our room tomorrow I think I will ask for a refund and change hotels!  The hotel itself is fine and the location is great but the noise!!!!  Grrrr.......

Paris - 29/12/12

First full day in Paris so we are off and walking!  Breakfast at "Paul", then down Franklin to Church of the Madeleine.  It doesn't matter how many churches or cathedrals I see, it's impossible not to be overwhelmed by their beauty every time.  We walk on to Galleries Lafayette, which is one of the most beautiful shopping destinations you could ever hope to find.  They have converted the whole lower floor to ladies shoes......can you believe the only pair I really liked they didn't have in my size!  Try as I might, I really failed in the shopping department today :( particularly difficult with hubby tagging along.  I left him at the Champagne Bar for a while but still didn't have any success.

Next we head to the Paris Opera ...OMG! This place is amazing!  QPAC doesn't really even hold a flicker to this.  Unfortunately the Opera is playing tonight so there is no way I can get Gordy there.

Off to Repetto for new ballet shoes....if I'm going to buy them it might as well be in Paris.  We then continue down toward the Louvre.  Just as well we have already sampled the delights of Angelina as the queue to enter is huge.....besides, my waistline is expanding by the day so I really don't need it.

From here we walk back home which consists of a lot of side stepping as the crowds are increasing by the minute and all the stalls are open so it's abuzz with activity.

Bye bye London, Bonjour Paris 28/12/12

Packed and down to St Pancras to catch the 8.30am chunnel to Paris where we arrived at about 11.15am local time.  Hotel Beauchamps is just off the Champs Elysees near Rond Pont Des Champs Elysees.  The reception is lovely and our check-in was easy.  We are on the 4th floor.......after you go down one small flight of stairs and up another .... but at least there is a lift, maximum of three people!  The room is not huge, which of course is not unusual in Paris, but very neat and clean.

Passing the time on the Chunnel

Hotel Beauchamps

We head out and walk up to the Arc de Triomphe.  There are people everywhere!  Stopping along the way to check out the car stores, Louis Vuitton, Zara, a gorgeous tea shop called Kusmi Tea, there is no other place like this.  We choose a small brasserie for an early dinner (snails, duck etc) then back to our room for a rest - we were up at 4.30am this morning.

LV window

Arc de Triomphe

At about 8.30pm we went back out onto the C/Elysees and the place is buzzing!  There is a market on both sides of the avenue from the Rond Pont down to Place de la Concorde.  Hot dogs, churros, mulled wine, meats, cheeses, waffles and all sorts of souvenirs etc.  We walk the length then back again.  There are kids and adults everywhere.... a bit like a mosh pit.  We call into a great little Spanish tapas bar on the way home and finally are back in our room by about midnight.

27th December 2012

 Today is our last full day in London....the time has flown!  We grab a cab to Harrods and can I say here and now........ this is why I'll never be skinny!

I don't even have to buy anything...it's enough just to walk through the food hall at Harrods!

Chocolate

Restaurants and coffee shops on all levels.  Harrods is the most amazing store in the world!

I rather liked the twelve setting silver cutlery service, but at GBP53,490....I'm giving it a miss :(

Savoury

Food glorious food!

Pastries

Cakes!

Gordy had to drag me out of Harrods (I could have probably spent several days there) as we have a booking at Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant at Covent Garden.

What a thriving business!  Oliver has a casual restaurant within Covent Garden and his Italian restaurant is a five minute walk away in Upper St Martin's Place.  Both had people lined up waiting for tables (and of course this is only in this area, there are several other restaurants throughout London).  The food was quite nice but not exceptional.  
When the girls and I were here last August we ate at the Rossopomodoro, diagonally opposite, as Oliver's was booked out......I think I preferred their food.

Giant advent calendar

Giant baubles hand throughout Covent Garden

Gordy surrounded by Christmas cheer

After lunch we wandered back to Covent Garden which is just a massive hive of activity.  As we head back to the hotel the crowds seem to swell.  I'm overwhelmed with the number of people milling around.  Back to the hotel for several French bubbles :)

Gordy is still doing his push ups....I'm keeping up my arm crunches......it's hard work lifting all those glasses to my mouth!

Boxing Day 2012

When we came back to our room on Christmas night there was a beautiful Christmas bauble made of chocolate, delicately decorated with gold leaf and when you opened it you discover chocolate truffles....yum!

Boxing Day and after breakfast we are ready to hit the shops!  Down Regent, Oxford and New Bond Street ......lots of fab shops but soooo many people!  As the day goes on it becomes like a mosh pit and shopping is no longer enjoyable.  People are being directed around Selfridges by security guards and lining up to enter Gucci!  I'm over it and really haven't bought very much at all.

 After taking our few purchases back to the room, we head out again this time to see "Top Hat" at the theatre.  I thoroughly enjoyed it....a little too 'old hat' for Gordy.

 Food glorious food!






I love all the wonderful names.

Some of the street decorations.  You can see we had quite nice weather today...rained a bit later in the day.

Christmas Day 2012

I

The Hotel is holding an exhibition of some of the most beautiful sculptures.... I told Gordy three was a crowd !

Lunch was sublime..... we feasted on salmon, scallops, turkey, plum pudding and Buche de Noel.... washed down with Moet and a French chablis.....sensational!   It's Ok kids...we have now decided you all need to experience this with us :)

The service was ridiculous...I dropped my serviette and they quickly replaced it with a new one!

Christmas Eve 2012

We head out this morning bound for Westminster Pier to board the Thames cruise.  The cruise also leaves from about three other piers.  Down Whitechapel we pass where the changing of the horse guards take place.  Our timing wasn't quite right today but having seen it in August, I would recommend the experience.

 As we passed 10 Downing Street the police were changing over so I managed to take this photo through the gate which was opened momentarily, but this is as close as you can get.

 The walk takes you down passed Big Ben, Westminster Hall and the Houses of Parliament.

 The London Eye.



We boarded the boat (GBP12.50/p for a 90 minute return trip to the Tower Bridge).

 A view of the Tower Bridge from the boat.


Gordy has decided he would like to do the "London Bridge Experience", voted scariest attraction four years in a row (GBP23/p).  Against my better judgement I agree to join him.  It's pure theatre giving limited history of the London Bridge.  You then have the option of doing the second half of the journey into the tombs.... I pass.  Actors are used to portray various characters and Gordy tells me it wasn't all that scary.  I opt for wine at the Mug House across the road.  Can't see the point in choosing to be scared out of my wits!

There is a wonderful Christmas feeling in London.  Every pub is decorated and the intoxicating smell of cloves and cinnamon pervades the air.

After a recuperating vino we set off along the Thames passed the London Eye.  We were actually going to ride the "Eye" but the queue was way too long.

There are market stalls set up all the way along the Thames and people everywhere.  Mulled wine and handmade liquorice allsorts are going down a treat.  We had already stopped at the Founders Arms for a drink and a platter of pork pies, Scotch eggs, pickles, ham, cheese, bread....perfect fare!  We ended up walking all the way back to the hotel so weren't long out of bed on our return.

23rd December 2012

After breakfast in the restaurant we have decided to go to Windsor Castle today.  Grey skies but quite mild.

Gordy sitting in reception.

 One of the beautiful rooms in the hotel where they serve "high tea" and a harpist plays very afternoon.

This is the "Balcon" - the restaurant in the Sofitel.

 In front of the Sofitel St James.

Piccadilly Circus Tube is a five minute walk from the hotel where we buy a day ticket (GBP7 adult) and head to Paddington, which is only about five stops away.  There we buy return tickets to Windsor (GBP9.50 adult) and board the train to Slough which takes about 30 minutes and from there you catch a connecting train to Windsor - Eton Central which is a further five minute journey.

 Windsor Castle has been home to monarchs for 1000 years and is where Queen Elizabeth calls "home".  GBP17 entry to the Castle and you can tour through the State Rooms and view Queen Mary's Doll House...all magnificent.

A view of the Castle.


After touring the Castle we walk the cobbled roads in the surrounding township and stop at the "Hungry Eye" a restaurant that specialises in Ghurka food.

                             Carollers at Windsor.



Back at the hotel (after a little siesta) we head out to "34" at 34 Grosvenor Square for dinner.  I so recommend the Banoffee Bombe....a perfect sphere of chocolate dusted with gold leaf which they then pour a warm toffee sauce over which melts the ball revealing a centre of banana nut ice-cream (though apparently they sometimes change the flavour of the ice-cream).  It is a signature dish of the restaurant and is so rich!  Delicious!