After another huge period of absence, i will again attempt to be more committed to this.
Its honestly difficult for me to remember all the things i have done recently, where to start.
Well i guess i have a few big trips that i havent had a chance to write about
Ok so i think it will begin with my trip to Prague. We divided our little group into two cars, and began our journey at some ridiculous hour of the morning with a slightly rushed drive to Charlois Airport in order to catch our flight. Two days before our departure, Chloe and I decided to do abit of research into the weather in Prague, naively thinking that temperatures would be of a similar level to here in Lille. We couldnt have been more wrong! After discovering that the temperatures might be reaching the extreme minuses i packed the furry russian hat and i felt that i was prepared. On our touch down i stepped off the plane to find myself gripping a completely frozen handrail. Its safe to say, it was incredibly cold! Aside from the fact that it was freezing the hostel we stayed at was really lovely and the staff were really helpful. Our first day after we had dropped off our bits at the hostel we decided to try and find somewhere nice to eat. we were thinking somewhere traditionally Czech so asked the people at the hostel if they could recommend anywhere. We followed their instructions and were shown into a nice looking restaurant with long wooden tables and a bizarre menu. Aside from the fact that it was all mostly meat and goulash, it seemed that it was not commonplace for the customer to be able to eat what they wanted. Chloe being a veggie and me often preferring a non meat option found it difficult to choose something, but had settled on a fried cheese option thinking it sounded quite nice. we had chosen to accompany this with a taste of Czech dumplings as this was what everyone else was having with their goulash. Unfortunately we were informed that it wouldnt be possible for us to have this.No explanation given, just no you cant have them. Its safe to say neither chloe or I were very full after our one piece of fried cheese arrived! After eating we walked around what is one of the most beautiful cities i have ever been to. The architecture of the buildings was beautiful and there was just so much to see! we took a boat tour on the river which was lovely, all nice and warm inside with a cup of hot wine, what more could you ask for! Apart from the fact that the man had a very heavy Czech accent and was often difficult to understand it was a very informative tour. That night we decided to go out for curry, bit of a random choice but it was really nice, followed by cocktails in a bar that was playing the whole of Michael Jackson's greatest hits! The following day Nick woke us all up bright and early to commence our day of activities including a visit to the Castle! According to my prior research Prague has the largest castle area in the world- look it up its in the guinness book of records. Being abit of a castle geek i was very excited! I Love all the spiral staircases and dungeons, etc, although Prague castle had more of a stately home feel in places, the cathedral in the centre was phenomenal and it was actually really interesting to read about a part of history i really know nothing about. Also during our visits we went on Charles Bridge, a very important tourist spot and a bridge that has been used in films like mission impossible. We looked around the little shops, some very touristy with all the tacky tourist accessories and some that were really lovely we ate at a gorgeous little Italian restaurant which was doing an amazing offer for two courses and a drink. It kind of felt like someones house, all little nick nacks and mirrors everywhere.
Saturday, 2 April 2011
Sunday, 16 January 2011
After a long period of absence.....
Ok so i really haven't been keeping up with my Blog, it feels like its been so long since i have written anything
Im not even sure what my last post was about but im pretty sure i didn't cover our epic trip to Cologne before Christmas. Han Chloe and I clambered into Jess's KA to start our two and a half hour journey to Cologne. It seems crazy to me that we could get to Germany in such a short period of time. My Dad had mentioned to me that Cologne had a pretty impressive Cathedral but i have to say nothing could prepare me for the monument that greeted us at the top of the stairs out of the car park. In some ways it could be said it didn't quite look real, i do find it truly inspiring when you think about the age of the building that people could have created something that beautiful and intricate. For someone who has rather adverse feelings towards religion i find churches and cathedrals truly inspiring. I have to say the Christmas market in Lille had nothing on Cologne. We sampled some true German culture in Gluhwein- it was actually the first time that i had been ID'd in months, it was quite refreshing actually. Rowan met us later in the day and we ended up even going to a Christmas market on a boat, apparently its the largest one in Europe....
Before we all parted for Christmas we met up to exchange secret santa presents, it was a lovely evening with my present from emily being a Orchid, i was so happy. She clearly was paying extra special attention to my moans about how much i wanted one on one of our frequent trips to IKEA. It looks so lovely in my room. We had a really nice meal at this sort of Posh Burger diner place followed by a yummy cafe gourmand- these have become my new favourite things when i cant decide on a desert meaning that i get to sample a few mini ones instead.
As well as this i stayed in Lille for an extra long period of time before Xmas as i had a very special visitor in the form of Joshie- we stayed till the tuesday before Christmas and had a lovely time sampling all of Lilles christmassy delights and even making a slightly terrifying trip on the wheel. On the Friday night he even got to meet Chloe, Cait , Han, Flora,Nick and Jean, its so nice to have him part of my life out here, as even if he did come with me to Lille in summer it has now become my home and it feels a whole lot different showing someone around now. Our journey home wasnt lacking in drama, we had concerns about even being able to get back, what with all the problems with the eurostar. I was convinced we were gona be having Christmas en France! However it all turned out to be fine, we even managed to get a train pretty much at the time we had booked. Though i cant say that the French were overly helpful in delivering information. When i asked what was happening with the changed i was greeted with the typically french shrug of the shoulders and "oh you just get on the next one..." when enquiring when the next one would be... you can guess the response....yes another shrug, well what did i really expect!!!!! Though i do have to say being upgraded to first class with extra leg room and free magazines wasn't anything to complain about. All on all i think we were really lucky as i know alot of people had real problems getting out of England.
On our return to Lille, Jess made another mammoth journey by driving the whole way from the lake district to lille all in one day , whilst making a pitstop at mine to pick me up obviously. The boat ride over wasnt particuarly enjoyable, i do feel that when you are younger you dont notice the journey as your too busy running around duty free or on the top deck. I have to say that the eurostar is definately my preferred mode of travel now. But anyways we got back here with little drama though i have to say the prospect of having to return to work straight after new year was not something i was looking forward to.
I was pleasantly surprised and even proud to see how much my kids had remembered since before xmas. I had visions of returning and when i asked whats your name? Would be faced with a sea of blank faces. However i was indeed proved wrong, they were amazing, they remembered pretty much everything! And they loved the little treat i brought back for them, in the form of crackers! Christmas crackers are somewhat of a novelty for the french as they dont really have them over here.
Since coming back we have already had some lovely nights, we met up on the wednesday night to go for dinner at L'Omnia a restaurant just off the grand place that used to be a brothel. Its pretty cool actually all red velvet and candlesticks inside. As well as this Chloe Jess Emily Nick Han Rowan and I made a trip to the outdoor ice skating rink that was in Lille, we managed to catch it ont he last weekend. It safe to say i was a little wobbly at first and in comparison to Emily and Nick who had incredible skills i was terrible but i was very pleased that i didnt fall over and it was a really good laugh. Aside from the little showy kids who thought it was amusing to skate past really fast and really close.
This Wednesday was the first day of the french sales...As a huge fan of the sales in england i wasnt holding out much hope that France would deliver. However, i have to say i was pleasantly surpised... As the shops dont tend to have sales mid season the post christmas sales are a really big deal, with 90% of the stock being on sale. We had a fun day.
One thing i would like to comment on is the arrival and departure of our new friend Cait, we both met and said goodbye to her in one week. It was a sad time as we were really looking forward to forging another friendship.However a severe mix up on her university in Canada's part mean that she had to return back home after less than a week in France. Though i dont doubt that we will stay in touch.
Finally this weekend emily held a soirée and hers seeing as Alexandre is away on an internship. I have to say it was the best party yet, it put Jess and I to shame as we normally provide our guests with a measly couple of bags of crisps. Emily on the other hand has been baking all day creating different types of cookies and Nick made us a traditional American dish of taco salad, it was so good and it safe to say whoever hosts the next soirée has alot to live up to!
Things to look forward to: We are making a little roadtrip to Amsterdam this weekend, which should be awesome, im really excited to explore some of Europe as my experiences are somewhat limited. In particular i can't wait to visit Anne Franks' house it has always been my dream to go and see it.
As well as this we have yet another holiday coming up in February in which we have planned a trip to Prague, Hana did some amazing research and found us some flights for only 29 euros return. I literally cant wait it should be amazing. For the rest of the holiday i have planned a trip back to England to see everyone in Southampton and more importantly to head home and swap over to a more spring appropriate wardrobe.
Anyways that is all for now, i will try and be abit more commited this term and not leave it so long between posts
xxx
Im not even sure what my last post was about but im pretty sure i didn't cover our epic trip to Cologne before Christmas. Han Chloe and I clambered into Jess's KA to start our two and a half hour journey to Cologne. It seems crazy to me that we could get to Germany in such a short period of time. My Dad had mentioned to me that Cologne had a pretty impressive Cathedral but i have to say nothing could prepare me for the monument that greeted us at the top of the stairs out of the car park. In some ways it could be said it didn't quite look real, i do find it truly inspiring when you think about the age of the building that people could have created something that beautiful and intricate. For someone who has rather adverse feelings towards religion i find churches and cathedrals truly inspiring. I have to say the Christmas market in Lille had nothing on Cologne. We sampled some true German culture in Gluhwein- it was actually the first time that i had been ID'd in months, it was quite refreshing actually. Rowan met us later in the day and we ended up even going to a Christmas market on a boat, apparently its the largest one in Europe....
Before we all parted for Christmas we met up to exchange secret santa presents, it was a lovely evening with my present from emily being a Orchid, i was so happy. She clearly was paying extra special attention to my moans about how much i wanted one on one of our frequent trips to IKEA. It looks so lovely in my room. We had a really nice meal at this sort of Posh Burger diner place followed by a yummy cafe gourmand- these have become my new favourite things when i cant decide on a desert meaning that i get to sample a few mini ones instead.
As well as this i stayed in Lille for an extra long period of time before Xmas as i had a very special visitor in the form of Joshie- we stayed till the tuesday before Christmas and had a lovely time sampling all of Lilles christmassy delights and even making a slightly terrifying trip on the wheel. On the Friday night he even got to meet Chloe, Cait , Han, Flora,Nick and Jean, its so nice to have him part of my life out here, as even if he did come with me to Lille in summer it has now become my home and it feels a whole lot different showing someone around now. Our journey home wasnt lacking in drama, we had concerns about even being able to get back, what with all the problems with the eurostar. I was convinced we were gona be having Christmas en France! However it all turned out to be fine, we even managed to get a train pretty much at the time we had booked. Though i cant say that the French were overly helpful in delivering information. When i asked what was happening with the changed i was greeted with the typically french shrug of the shoulders and "oh you just get on the next one..." when enquiring when the next one would be... you can guess the response....yes another shrug, well what did i really expect!!!!! Though i do have to say being upgraded to first class with extra leg room and free magazines wasn't anything to complain about. All on all i think we were really lucky as i know alot of people had real problems getting out of England.
On our return to Lille, Jess made another mammoth journey by driving the whole way from the lake district to lille all in one day , whilst making a pitstop at mine to pick me up obviously. The boat ride over wasnt particuarly enjoyable, i do feel that when you are younger you dont notice the journey as your too busy running around duty free or on the top deck. I have to say that the eurostar is definately my preferred mode of travel now. But anyways we got back here with little drama though i have to say the prospect of having to return to work straight after new year was not something i was looking forward to.
I was pleasantly surprised and even proud to see how much my kids had remembered since before xmas. I had visions of returning and when i asked whats your name? Would be faced with a sea of blank faces. However i was indeed proved wrong, they were amazing, they remembered pretty much everything! And they loved the little treat i brought back for them, in the form of crackers! Christmas crackers are somewhat of a novelty for the french as they dont really have them over here.
Since coming back we have already had some lovely nights, we met up on the wednesday night to go for dinner at L'Omnia a restaurant just off the grand place that used to be a brothel. Its pretty cool actually all red velvet and candlesticks inside. As well as this Chloe Jess Emily Nick Han Rowan and I made a trip to the outdoor ice skating rink that was in Lille, we managed to catch it ont he last weekend. It safe to say i was a little wobbly at first and in comparison to Emily and Nick who had incredible skills i was terrible but i was very pleased that i didnt fall over and it was a really good laugh. Aside from the little showy kids who thought it was amusing to skate past really fast and really close.
This Wednesday was the first day of the french sales...As a huge fan of the sales in england i wasnt holding out much hope that France would deliver. However, i have to say i was pleasantly surpised... As the shops dont tend to have sales mid season the post christmas sales are a really big deal, with 90% of the stock being on sale. We had a fun day.
One thing i would like to comment on is the arrival and departure of our new friend Cait, we both met and said goodbye to her in one week. It was a sad time as we were really looking forward to forging another friendship.However a severe mix up on her university in Canada's part mean that she had to return back home after less than a week in France. Though i dont doubt that we will stay in touch.
Finally this weekend emily held a soirée and hers seeing as Alexandre is away on an internship. I have to say it was the best party yet, it put Jess and I to shame as we normally provide our guests with a measly couple of bags of crisps. Emily on the other hand has been baking all day creating different types of cookies and Nick made us a traditional American dish of taco salad, it was so good and it safe to say whoever hosts the next soirée has alot to live up to!
Things to look forward to: We are making a little roadtrip to Amsterdam this weekend, which should be awesome, im really excited to explore some of Europe as my experiences are somewhat limited. In particular i can't wait to visit Anne Franks' house it has always been my dream to go and see it.
As well as this we have yet another holiday coming up in February in which we have planned a trip to Prague, Hana did some amazing research and found us some flights for only 29 euros return. I literally cant wait it should be amazing. For the rest of the holiday i have planned a trip back to England to see everyone in Southampton and more importantly to head home and swap over to a more spring appropriate wardrobe.
Anyways that is all for now, i will try and be abit more commited this term and not leave it so long between posts
xxx
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