Spanx for your support

Firstly I must apologise for the delay in getting this final entry on to our blog. ...my fault, I’ve been dragging my heels not wanting to it all to end. The journey home was very pleasant, with a very smooth crossing and much entertainment at the disco where around 4 school trips (all circa 13/14 yrs) merged to strut their stuff on the dance floor (and off) – the drama of it all!! We docked in Hull in the sunshine, but alas as soon as we crossed the Scottish border (celebrated with much gusto with beeping, cheering and whistle-blowing) we hit a wall of rain which has not let up since and I naively thought I’d timed this trip perfectly to return to the first hazy days of a glorious Scottish summer – no chance!
Having had time now to reflect on the past 5 weeks I got everything I dreamed and more out of the trip:
- To experience France culturally & gastronomically - I would wholeheartedly recommend every leg of the trip and hopefully will be able to get back to many of them some day.
- Time with Kiera before she goes to school - this was precious and something I will treasure forever. I’m sure by the time myself and Robert are in a position to repeat such a trip she will have no desire to join us
And so it’s back to reality and having quite literally eaten and drunk my way through France I bravely faced the post holiday weigh-in and with a tear in my eye (the effort of squeezing into my jeans!) said an immediate au revoir to crossaints, Belgian chocolate, Champagne and Chablis and hello Rivita, Bran Flakes, fruit, fruit and more fruit. Robert is suffering alongside me with regular comparisons between our new regime and a Russian state but it’s time for discipline and focus with a bridesmaids dress and kilt to get into in 5 weeks time it’s time for drastic measures – there’s only so much Spanx can do for man or kilt!!

Au Revoir and Hello

Just docking at Hull, thanks to all who have kept in touch during our memorable journey. One final post at weekend and then blog destined for fish and chip paper.
Vive le France!

We're Back!

Sorry about last few days either Epernay had no wifi available or mummy and daddy overindulged in champagne.

Despite a mad scotsman signing abusive football like chants at Moet et Chandon building, we have all made it safely to Brugges in Belgium, our last port of call. We are checked into hotel and just heading for the Chocolate shops and the clock tower where Gleeson jumped.

So far no dwarves in school uniforms and Farrell/Gleeson definitely undersold the town (In Bruges references).

R

Champagne Delight (Robert’s Day)

After breakfast headed east in search of some of the various champagne villages in the area. There are hundreds of small/medium/large allotments either producing champagne or producing grapes for the major Champagne houses.

We came across a small village of Oger where we visited a small producer who also had an interesting wedding museum. They opened up for us and after the museum visit we were invited to their cellar to taste their champagne. A girl who spoke very good English, explained the process and then poured both Karla and I a flute of Champagne made solely from Chardonnay grape. Think this is Champagne Blanc, but Sommellier Hamilton will correct me if I am wrong. We purchased.

Karla then suggested we head back via a number of producing villages and vineyards to be at one with the champagne production. We stopped at another pretty village. Pierry where once again we had a degustation and purchased.( Just as well Gendarmes don’t exist. Well actually they do, the Australian newly weds did not physically stop at a stop sign, despite there being no traffic coming and were fined €90 on the spot….can pick up some good restaurant wine for that).

Got back to Epernay and headed for a Chocalaterie where we had a pastry and heavenly hot chocolate. We then headed for a Champagne Emporium where we sampled another 3 champagnes and purchased. I then headed for Moet et Chandon for a tour, but Monsieur Snooty Moet advised only space for English in 2 hour time, I declined and did not purchase. I contacted Karla and we headed for Castellane which as well as having a champagne tour had a wonderful tower that overlooked the wine fields which cover the landscape. This was a great tour and took you round a fully working champagne production, we saw everything from the fermentation to the spectacular removal of the ice sediment and bottling unit. This was a brilliant tour at a fraction of Messr Snooty Moet and champers also tasted great…not surprising after the number of glasses in the day so far (16.00). Again we purchased.

We are currently drying out and plan to head for a nice restaurant this evening and no doubt some more shampoo.

Early start for Brugges tomorrow for our final stop before returning home. Looks like a day of chocolate, beer and moules et frites.

Lots of Love

R, K & K

Disney Delight (Kiera’s Day)

Woke at huit hours, as we had advised Mdme Thernardier that we would have petit dejeuner at that time (wouldn’t like to get wrong side of her). Lovely continental breakfast where we met another 2 couples from Oz and New Zealand who were also staying at Maison de Thernardier.

After breakfast, set all culture aside and headed west to Disneyland Paris as a surprise for Kiera. When we turned off the junction and she saw the signs her eyes sparkled until she asked ‘but will there be any characters’, Kiera hates characters. We assured her that anyone we saw were real people and not characters. As we headed for gate, we noticed a large amount of cars with NL registrations. Appears that every year the Dutch celebrate the wonders of Disney by abandoning Holland and travelling en masse to France….it was like Sauchiehall Street on the last Saturday before Xmas! After circa 1 hour of arriving we finally got ticket and into park and Kiera jumped into mummy’s arms as she saw…..a character, Minnie the Man Eating rat. We headed for Fantasyland as it was Kiera’s day and straight to small world, on the way we wasted fast pass tickets on Peter Pan ride. Kiera loved small world and I knew it would not be our last visit. After a few more rides in Fantasyland we headed for Adventureland, but my favourite ride Big Thunder Mountain had a 75 minute wait and all fast passes for day were long gone. With a tear in my eye and a droop of my mouth I headed for Gloomy Manor to visit my relatives (GGG come out to socialise).

After a barbecue lunch at Woody’s place we watched a parade, spilt some popcorn and let mum go on Space Mountain before heading for Disney Village for some basic scran.

We returned home and were greeted by the usual smiles from our hosts and I was first to sleep within 27 seconds of entering the room.

Kiera had a great time and was respledant in her pink Minnie the man eating rat’s ears and her Minnie balloon.

Lots of Love

R, K & K

Gastronomic Delight (Karla’s Day)

Have been having such a good time that my previous brief blog did not do Epernay justice. So to recap, a pleasant 3.5 hour drive through wonderful countryside from Bourignon with green and yellow fields disappearing into the distance.

We arrived at Epernay, Champagne kingdom and despite a detour arrived at the doorstep 27 Avenue de Champagne. We were greeted by Messr & Mdme Thernardier, who spoke no English but made us feel so welcome. We interrupted a family Sunday meal for circa 12 and the smells that wafted throughout their large house was unbelievable. Their grandson was ordered to take our suitcase upstairs to our suite.

Having arrived on a Sunday most of the town was shut or around Mdme Thernardier’s dining table. We were advised to visit Mercier’s Champagne House, which was opened. After a brief movie, we travelled by lift down to the caves. The lift was similar to an Alton Towers experience and gave you a brief history on the 100 feet down to the caves. The caves measured in excess of 10km and at times you could not see to the end of a tunnel. The laser guided train took us around the chalky tunnels which contained millions bottles of champagne from 1923. The guide explained the process of fermenting and producing champagne and then we were invited to a degustation where we sampled 4 flutes of champers between us…tres bon. Kiera really enjoyed the train journey and the special champagne van.

At night we visited a local restaurant, where I have previously mentioned the price of wine. We were treated like royalty and our princess was looked after by the staff who gave her ‘Kiera’ champagne when we had our Moet aperitif. The initial appetiser was crab with avocado and of course Kiera was given a portion, no chicken nuggets or burger at this joint. Karla had sole and I had a monumental piece of beef with ravioli and foie gras (Ravioli definitely not of Heinz Variety!). The matre de suugested the chef make Kiera a dish with beef and potato, so she was presented with a lovely piece of fillet steak with a wonderful potato dish. We both declined the fromage for fear of offending or making fools of ourselves, but were still given another 3 tasters of passion fruit jelly with pure chocolate. This set me up nicely for my desert which consisted of 3 elements; a soft chocolate mouse, a cream like desert that contained something pink with alcohol and a mega coffee brulee. On receiving the bill we also were given a plate of homemade chocolates and brandy snaps, which certainly made the final bill sweeter.

Crawling up the road after dinner in the rain we passed the Champagne Houses, each had their emblem adorning the pavement from overhead lights, was a fantastic sight.

A wonderful first day, particularly as it was Karla’s birthday.


Lots of Love

R, K & K

Sparkling Birthday

Arrived safely at Epernay and staying in a wonderful B&B. The hosts do not speak any English, but karla's frenglish and some gestures doing fine. Spent first day, Karla's birthday, sampling one of the Champagne houses. It had 18km of underground tunnels and we went on a train ride 100ft underground showing us the vaults and some of the production. Kiera loved the rain ride, mum and dad enjoyed the champagne.

Later at night we went to a fantastic and posh restaurant for Ks birthday. Wonderful food and so many tasters from chef, commenced with champagne and then moved onto a Grand Chablis Cru that was one of the cheapest bottles at €71. The budget and my belly is well burst.

Am currently at Disneyland Paris where we have had a great day, but MacDonalds only wifi available.

Hope all well. More Champagne Houses tomorrow!