Mum's first trip to Paris

Ever since I can remember, my mum has always wanted to go to Paris, see the Eiffel Tower and said that I should wait for 'the one' to take me there.... Well, I broke the last wish (as I was tired of waiting) and went last year for the first time. I knew instantly that I would have to return very soon and take mum with me. So, on one boring afternoon at work, I decided to book two Eurostar tickets for Mum and I. Below is a quick note of the things we did during our fabulous time in Paris (I took over 400 photos and have not yet had chance to sort them out, but will upload some shortly):-

Day 1

- train to Paris at 8.02am. Awake from 5am, left house at 6am.
- in coach with predominantly American and Canadian students - generally very loud
- delayed arriving into gard du nord due to fatality on the tracks...,
- checked into hotel. Nearest metro San Sebastian
- lunch at a local cafe
- rest back at hotel (changed rooms)
- We met a very friendly Bengali couple from Calcutta resting near the Eiffel Tower en route from visiting their son in the States
- Eiffel tower (a long walk to the top for mum)
- two hours from start to finish
- sunset view of Paris from the tower
- dinner at cafe de trocodero (with dessert - tarte au citron)
- metro back home
- taxi (as we got our metro station mixed up)

Day 2

- breakfast at local cafe
- train to Versailles
- tour of chateau de Versailles
- lunch in cafe near by to the chateau
- back to the hotel for a rest
- arc de triompe
- champs élysées
- dinner at fouquet's
- banoffe ice cream from haggen daz

Day 3

- French breakfast at local cafe
- arc Le defense
- musee de l'orangerie (water lilies by Monet)
- jardin des Tuileries
- lunch at Le forentine
- galleries Lafayette
- afternoon coffee at illy
- musee d'lourve
- hotel for some rest time
- walked from hotel to Bastille, dinner in Sully, walked through the marais to notre dame, crepe citron at cafe Paris
- metro back to the hotel

Day 4

- breakfast at the two windmills in monmarte (the cafe featured in the film Amelie)
- easy walk up to Sacre Coeur
- metro to musee d'Pompidou
- book shopping at Shakespeare and company
- lunch in the marais
- walked back to the hotel (bastille and marais) - Owen Wilson cycled past with his dog
- supermarket shopping
- taxi to gard du nord for our train back to London

Serpentine Gallery: Summer Pavilion

A group of us went see to the Serpentine Gallery's summer pavilion last weekend which is designed by world-renowned French architect Jean Nouvel. When you first stand next to the structure, you are initially struck by the sheer size and the intense red which contrasts really well with the greens and browns surounding it. If you are in London between now and October be sure to check it out.

Whitstable Beaches

I couldn't let the summer go by without visiting the seaside. For quite some time I found myself enjoying my own company and so I thought as a treat I would go on a mini adventure (in preparation for a much bigger adventure to come - watch this space). When you are stuck in an open plan office as I am, you often find yourself daydreaming of places you want to see and visit. I found myself randomly choosing Whitstable in Kent for my trip.

As you walk along the beaches in Whitstable, you will come across an array of beach houses that you can't stop envying the occupants delight of waking up to amazing sunrises and enjoying the amazing colours of the sunset.

Beach houses line the pathway of Cushing's View

I stopped of for a bit of lunch at the Neptune pub and once done went for a long walk towards the West beach, where the path is lined up of more beach houses and huts.

The beach huts on the West beach come in the same shape and size; but are personalised by owners/occupants in various colourful patterns.

After my walk to the West beach, decided to walk back to the Harbour.

Where the town of Tankerton meets Whitstable is an area known as Tankerton Slopes. I came across this particular beach house and fell in love with it instantly and couldn't stop looking at it. I think it would have to be one my favourite beach houses.

Sat on Tankerton Slopes and thought to myself that I will certainly be returning to Whitstable and next time will stay a little longer. What I really liked about it, was how unspoilt it still remains which gives it its uniqueness of being the perfect secret seaside hideaway.

My first London Mela

Finally went to London Mela and I came across:-

• People of all shapes and size having fun in the sun
• Five different stages to cater to different tastes
• Discovered a dance group called Akademi who fused kathak dancing with modern dance
• Colourful
• Laughter
• Food
• Dancing
• The sun came out in London and
• Good times

London Zoo

So, on one summer day after work some friends and I went to London zoo. The last time I visited was when I was 4 years old. I have to admit I couldn't remember much of my last visit, but it was lovely walking around the zoo on a friday and taking the atmosphere and enjoying a very good hot dog. Below are a couple of photos from my visit:-

last days of the summer bring delight .....

basking in the morning sun....

• morning delight
• summer rays
• colourful delight
• fresh start to the day.....

Walking home from work....