tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220273193615645692024-03-12T15:57:34.160-07:00Kikki's PlanetKikki http://www.blogger.com/profile/02659072376047518239noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822027319361564569.post-10579729917143773702014-07-06T09:33:00.003-07:002014-07-06T22:55:51.937-07:0048 Hours In Madrid<br />
48 hours in Madrid<br />
When you only have 48 hours in a huge City like Madrid you have to hit the ground running, or perhaps hit ground on the dorkiest two wheels on the planet???? .... Don't mind if I do!!<br />
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It wasn't a decision we took lightly, we generally prefer to blend in with the locals in our destination of choice, but the idea of getting a quick snap shot of Madrid in 90 minutes within two hours of arriving was just too tempting. So, at 4pm on our afternoon of arrival we had a quick "how to" on our Segways before heading off for our quick tour of Madrid.<br />
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We soon learnt that the Segway was a smart choice. Madrid is incredibly hilly, with even the local cyclists opting for the electric version. <br />
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Despite some early rain on the tour, we managed to take in some of the winding streets of Madrid before taking in the beautiful gardens surrounding the Palace,the largest in Europe. Our guide discussed various attractions along the way. The Temple of Debod (picture below) is the oldest building in Madrid, presented to Spain by the Egyptians as a gift of thanks for Spain's assistance in the building of the Aswan Dam. The views from here are spectacular. <br />
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The tour takes in various aspects of the castle, steering clear of the busy castle itself, but rather taking in various aspects of it and it's surrounds. <br />
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This tour is an inexpensive way to get a glimpse of Madrid in a short space of time - recommended. <br />
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We spent the remainder of the afternoon in the hotel. We stayed at the Hotel Emperador, on the Grand Via. We got a bargain in a Junior Suite (huge) on the third floor which included breakfast each morning. The room had a balcony overlooking the heart of Madrid and we never felt far from the action. Be warned, don't stay here if you require peace and serenity to get a good night sleep. The sounds of a bustling, vibrant city can be heard through the night, but there's nothing like the sound of When The Saints Go Marching In being sung in Spanish to make you smile at 4am in the morning. <br />
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The Hotel had an old world charm, seemingly stuck in somewhat of a time warp, with just a hint of the Grand Budapest Hotel about it. That said, it was well maintained and we found it charming. Our room was quite lovely with a large, pristine bathroom and wonderful amenities. It has a rooftop pool (one of the few in Madrid) which was pumping like a Seminyak beach club the afternoon we visited.<br />
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As evening approached, The Husband announced that he knew just where to take me. A couple of minutes walk away, was the El Corte Ingles, a department store. As I was led in I had visions of a food court with sloppy food in bainmarie!!!! We don't eat in department stores in Madrid!! Actually we do, and it was fabulous. Better than fabulous. The Husband had been reading about a food outlet on the top floor of El Corte Ingles called StreetXO. The food here was so spectacular ( I can't recall having a more enjoyable meal any time, anywhere, ever!!)<br />
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In fact the food here was so good, that we committed the cardinal sin of "48hours in one destination". We came back the NEXT NIGHT!!!!<br />
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This was Asian fusion tapas at its best, all cooked by a mohawked maestro right in front of us. He and his team were spectacular to watch as they prepared us dishes such as: roasted Chinese BBQ butter fish with aniseed and yuzu salad; Pekinese dumpling with pigs ear with strawberry hoisin and Ali-oli and pickles; pork belly with pickled mussels and shiitake with XO tartare plus many more, all pictured below. On our second visit, the mohawked maestro insisted we try (with his compliments) his Asian version of the Paella, made with noodles and wrapped in a fine skin of omelette. Clever!<br />
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The next day we spent the morning working up an appetite taking in the sights, all within walking distance of the hotel. We started withe the museum Prado, famous for its artworks by Greco, Velazquez, Merillo, Goya and many more. The gallery possesses more than 7500 works of art. <br />
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Following this we decided to get some sunshine and took in the stunning gardens of Buen Retiro Park. It is a delightful park with is manicured trees, abundant gardens, statues and waterways. We grabbed an icecream and strolled about. <br />
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Following this we visited the queen Sofia museum and visit the Richard Richard exhibition (including some interactive art - fun) as well as the works of our favourite, Salvador Dali. If you enjoy the more modern art, like myself, this is a "must do" in Madrid.<br />
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By 2pm we were starving and headed to Mercardo de San Miguel, also a short walk from our hotel. The food here is an extravaganza for the senses. It is best appreciated by grabbing a glass of sangria or San Miguel and indulging from stall after stall of fresh delights from savoury to sweet and everything in between. Croquettes in every flavour; pintxo's; empanadas; fresh fruit; paella; and an array of desserts from all corners of the world. <br />
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Our last night was spent at StreetXO with baklava Dessert at Mercado San Miguel - good times.<br />
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<span id="goog_1788883723"></span><span id="goog_1788883724"></span>Pics below:<br />
The sights on Segway tour<br />
StreetXO<br />
The Gardens<br />
The Reina Sofia Museum (including Richard Richard and Dali)<br />
The Mercado San Miguel<br />
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<br />Kikki http://www.blogger.com/profile/02659072376047518239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822027319361564569.post-22436300366876332402013-07-19T07:56:00.001-07:002013-07-19T10:00:05.549-07:00Villefranche to St Tropez...We decided that no trip to the south of France was complete without a trip by boat along the Riviera. I did a bit of research (ie looked at every boat hire company on the planet) a couple of months before we left Perth and found one through boatbookings.com. They were great to deal with and even booked our lunch and sun lounges at Le Club 55 in St Tropez. Le Club 55 is the original private beach club on the Riviera, opening its doors in 1955 to provide food and beverage for the cast and crew of the Brigitte Bardot flick, And God Created Woman. Since then it has formed the hub of the St Tropez beach club scene, where it plays host to the rich and famous on their summer holidays (not to mention the odd Aussie tourist).<br />
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We met our skipper Stefan in Villefranche at 9.15 and advised him that we had banana lounges booked from 11am and lunch at 1pm. He said something about needing to get a move on as we got on to our boat for the day. After a few minutes cruising out of the harbour (and the obligatory photo session) , our skipper suddenly hit full throttle. As all thoughts of a leisurely champagne brunch vanished from our minds, we braced ourselves for what became a rather bumpy ride to St Tropez. We later found out that our lovely skipper Stefan simply wanted to ensure that we arrived on time. WE DID! With promises of a leisurely ride back after lunch, Stefan handed us over to the Club 55 staff who took us into shore on their small "tender". <br />
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Soon after arriving we were set up on our shaded banana lounges. After the bumpy ride in the boat, I sank into my lounge and wondered if I could ever extract myself to go swimming. It was so relaxing, and with my lounge buddy Cicci beside me, I was rather a bit partial to some social commentary of the eclectic bunch of people that surrounded us. Bit of bling here, bad plastic surgery over there, sugar daddy over to the left. But alas, one was at a beach club and the turquoise water was inviting, and we had just enough time for a frolic in the Mediterranean before lunch. It was a delight, and it was from this point that the day just got better and better! <br />
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Lunch at Le Club 55 was a real treat. The surroundings are understated and despite it absolutely heaving with diners, the service was friendly and prompt. We had heard that the food was overpriced and overrated. We did not experience this at all. Husband ordered mussels to start and it was one of the better mussel dishes I have tried. We all had veal Milanese for main and it was quite good. <br />
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Before we knew it, 3pm came around and it was time to rejoin Stefan on the boat (cutely named the "lollipop"). Eating and drinking at the club had got us all hot and bothered so as soon as we got on board, we peeled off the layers and were once again frolicking in the Mediterranean Sea. It was so deep it was impossible to see the bottom, bliss! <br />
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Soon after we headed back along the coast towards Villefranche, this time more leisurely, and hearing more about the sights we passed, and Stefan taking us for another swim in an alcove along the way. We arrived back, sun kissed and satisfied, another memorable day on the south of France. <br />
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Pics below of a great day...check the first one with my name on the place card at Le Club 55... I have decided its my European royalty name. Xoxo.<br />
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<br />Kikki http://www.blogger.com/profile/02659072376047518239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822027319361564569.post-51294736046115071382013-07-18T07:11:00.001-07:002013-07-18T08:52:56.104-07:00From Riviera With Love...I've arrived, I have found the meaning of life, I understand what the fuss is all about..... Hello South of France!!!<br />
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As we disembarked the A8 motorway, four and a half hours after leaving Lyon, we caught our first glimpse of ocean since leaving wintery Perth some weeks before. The heart swelled a little at the sight of it, then sank a little at the sight of Nice, a drab and unsightly city from behind, rather grubby and killing my buzz in an instant. Thankfully I had heard that this place was not a true reflection of the region and held hope for what lied ahead. To be fair, I later was afforded the benefit of some of the prettier parts of Nice. <br />
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Our destination was St Paul De Vence, some 5 or so km from Nice, as the crow flies, but 20-30 mins by car (summer traffic permitting). <br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Saint-Paul</b> or <b>Saint-Paul-de-Vence</b> is a commune in the Alpes<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpes-Maritimes" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Alpes-Maritimes">-</a>Maritimes department in southeastern France. One of the oldest medieval towns on the French Riviera, it is well known for its modern and contemporary<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contemporary_art" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Contemporary art"> a</a>rt museums and galleries such as Foundation Maeght which is located nearby. It is a postcard perfect village with cobbled walkways lined with quaint shops, flower boxes, and stunning sculptures around every corner. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our villa Mandarinette is literally at the doorstep of the village, with stunning views across to the village and beyond to the Mediterranean Sea. It's location gives us the perfect combination of village and coastal lifestyle in this most beautiful part of the world. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The villa, designed by the "queen of white interiors" Jacqueline Morabito, is everything we had hoped for and more. Over three levels, we and the kids have the top level consisting of three rooms each with ensuites and views to the village and ocean. The mid-level (street level) consists of open living space with chefs kitchen, dining area, and versatile living space and terrace. The lower level consists of large studio with ensuite, stunning gardens, and pool all overlooking the village and the ocean, complete with multiple garden "rooms" and hot/cold outdoor shower. Upon settling in, we wondered if we might just stay right there in the confines of our villa for the week, blissfully unaware of the world outside. This is living.... Xoxo</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">See below pics of the villa and the stunning village just a few steps outside. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>Kikki http://www.blogger.com/profile/02659072376047518239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822027319361564569.post-62610392715348508042013-07-16T20:06:00.001-07:002013-07-16T20:06:59.902-07:00Le tour de Lyon After years of late night viewing of Le Tour (husband), it was with excitement that we arrived in Lyon to watch the finish of the Lyon stage of Le Tour on the race's 100th anniversary. <br />
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After catching up with cycling fanatics, (and sometimes residents of France) the Jones's, we got excited to explore Lyon and prepare to catch the Tour. Lyon revealed itself as a pleasant surprise on our travels through France. We stayed in a central location (ie. the hotel was crap but the location was brilliant) between where the rivers Soane and Rhone meet. It was a great location, short walking distance from key locations. Lyon is like a smaller version of Paris and we just fell in love with the place, deciding we would fly straight in there on our next visit to France. It just oozes beauty, culture, and the food is to die for and a fraction of the price of meals in Paris. In fact, one of our best meals in Lyon included three courses of the most beautiful food (terrine, canard margret - duck, and tart) for 18 euro per head!<br />
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The tour was a great experience. We had been given the heads up by seasoned followers of The Tour (the Jones's), that it was essential to get down early to get "swag". Swag? About an hour or two before the bikes come through, all the sponsor vehicles come through, decked out like show floats, tossing out freebies to the crowd. It's great fun, particularly for the kids and really adds to the excitement of the event. <br />
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Watching the bikes come through was a brief but exciting experience which left us buzzing as we strolled back across the river with the throngs of punters. As we crossed the bridge back to our hotel, and the late afternoon sun sparkled on the river, and bathed the city of Lyon in its golden light, I longed for a few more days in this city.......xoxo<br />
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Pics below... Lyon and Le Tour....<br />
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<br />Kikki http://www.blogger.com/profile/02659072376047518239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822027319361564569.post-10358071462932516862013-07-13T02:07:00.000-07:002013-07-13T20:39:28.053-07:00In the night garden.... My sadness at leaving Paris was forgotten the moment we pulled onto the long winding driveway, flanked by dense forest, to find Chateu du Breuil awaiting us for our stay on the Loire valley. It was just as I had hoped, a quaint historic building, stunning both outside and in. <br />
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The rooms were beautifully appointed with modern provincial furniture and styling, and the rest of the chateau (including huge outdoor heated pool on the edge of the forest) were maintained tastefully. It was hard to leave for our day trip the next day. <br />
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With literally hundreds of Chateau and wineries in the Loire valley, and only one whole day to visit them, we decided to do one Chateau (Chambord) and one winery (Domaine De Montcy - Cherverny) during the day, allowing us some down time by the pool in the afternoon before heading out again in the evening. <br />
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Chambord Castle is stunning and it was a joy to visit a castle out of Paris, no crowds! <br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Chambord is the largest château in the Loire valley. It was built to serve as a hunting lodge for Francois I. The original design of the Château de Chambord is attributed, though with several doubts, to Domenico de Cortona. Though some say that Leonardo da Vinci ( who retired to the area) may have had some influence on the design. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-F.C3.A9libien_3-0" style="unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate;"></sup></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Chambord took many years to construct (1519–1547).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After Chambord we visited the beautiful town of Blois where we at lunch and had a wander about. We took in the St. Louis Cathedral and the beautiful cobbled streets. </span></div>
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Right across from our Chateau was the organic winery of Domaine de Montcy. We had tried their rosé the night before (I am so in love with rosé right now!) and it was divine so decided it would be our winery of choice. It was an understated cellar door but we were greeted by the most delightful fellow who treated us like old friends for the duration of our visit. We tried many varietals and were blown away by the flavours. On site they grew: Chardonnay, savignon, Pinot noir, gamay, and the local grape Romorontin. Their organic blends resulted in some delightful wines, many of which we took with us to share with friends on the riviera next week (including a couple of bottles of kids champagne "sans alkool" which our "friend" had been pouring Fin throughout our visit). As we popped into the warehouse to pick up our wine, we noted a wall absolutely covered in awards.<br />
Ken asked him why they kept the awards out the back away from view. He said "we want our visitors to decide for themselves about our wines, that is what it is all about". Great philosophy. <br />
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After afternoon swims and snoozes, we headed out to a delightful town on the Loire River, Amboise. Stunning town in the shadows of the Chateau Amboise. With bellies full we then drove to Chateau Chenonceau, which reopens at 9.30pm during July and August to show off it's castle and gardens by night, flooded in light. It was so stunning. The kids ran through garden mazes which had just the right amount if light hitting them, spotting a deer in the forest as they came out the other side.<br />
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A short walk through the forest the took us to the castle, bathed beautifully in golden light and classical music echoing out of it. It was magical. The Manicured gardens and fountains surrounding the castle were also tastefully lit up and we spent some time soaking up the beauty of it.<br />
It was 11pm by the time we left, feeling that we had visited a special place. We were delighted to see as we watched the Tour de France the next day, that this very castle was featured, as the riders went speeding past.<br />
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Pics below: Our Chateau Du Breiul, Chambord, Kids and I in Blois, and Our night visit to Chateau Chenonceau.... Xoxo<br />
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Kikki http://www.blogger.com/profile/02659072376047518239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822027319361564569.post-17923612273932853752013-07-13T00:50:00.000-07:002013-07-13T00:50:26.250-07:00The happiest place on earth...So, is Disneyland Paris the happiest place on earth? Well, as I skipped my way through Fantasyland with my daughter on Monday, I would have to say it goes pretty close (though from what I hear, Finley wasn't exactly embracing this motto as he lined up for the epic ride - SPACE MOUNTAIN - but more on that later).<br />
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We decided to go to Disneyland Paris ( with mates Michael and Ryan, ready to channel their inner child) on our last day in Paris. We knew it was going to be very busy with not only tourists but Parisians on school holidays. We arrived at opening time and agreed that our visit should start with a group visit to Pirates of the Carribean. It was a fun ride with lots to see around every corner. See dodgy pic below of us all on the ride, a variety of expressions on our faces. This ride was a great warm up for the rest of the day. <br />
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After this we split up. The boys all headed to Adventureland whilst Miss Kenz and I headed to Fantasyland. I let Kenz set the itinerary which saw us visit Alice in Wonderlands Labyrinth, Sleeping Beauty's castle, The Carousel, and my personal favourite, the Its a Small World Ride. This last ride really was a magical ride full of colour and everything fairy tale. The pics don't do it justice. It felt like being in the latest Willy Wonker movie only better.... It was special and I loved sharing it with my daughter.<br />
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Meanwhile, as we blissed our way through Fantasyland, the boys were in Adventureland seeing how much they could scare themselves. When we caught up with them later on, they were still buzzing from the adrenalin of Space Mountain. Ken described the Paris version of this ride as the scariest ride he had ever been on, and he has done a few. This synopsis left me wondering how the ten year old coped with all this. Well, despite every attempt to escape the line on the way to the ride (no thanks to comments from Uncle Ryan who was rather jittery himself) he made it through to the other side, feeling that little bit more of a man. <br />
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With Space mountain conquered, Ryan and Michael felt that nothing could make Their Disney experience better, and decided to head back to Paris to enjoy their last afternoon in St Germain. As the lines started to build up, we started to feel the same. We decided that our next visit, we would stay in one of the hotels and enjoy the park for a couple of days. <br />
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We enjoyed our last evening in Paris with a lovely dinner and a walk around St Germain with the boys... It was a blissful way to end the Paris leg of our journey... Next stop... Loire Valley xoxo<br />
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<br />Kikki http://www.blogger.com/profile/02659072376047518239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822027319361564569.post-72830691465710020822013-07-10T08:52:00.002-07:002013-07-16T20:27:20.730-07:00Montmartre, and dinner truly french style....We took the kids on the train up to the rather touristy but still visit-worthy Montmarte today, a highlight for us was taking the kids back to our favourite little gallery in Paris, the Dali gallery. We were delighted to see that it had grown significantly since we were last there. Mackenzie loved the Alice in Wonderland inspired theme of some of the works. Finley was rather "freaked out" by some of the images but found it interesting. <br />
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After resting up a short while my old school friend Dazza arrived and we took the train to meet or french tutor and her brother for dinner. We were also joined by Ryan, Michael, and their gorgeous friend Alwynn. Celia asked us to meet her at a restaurant her father recommended. It was Charretier, 7 rue Fabourg. It was a beautiful old French restaurant, with several stern maitre de holding court at the doorway. Even at 6.45 this place was heaving with diners indulging in the traditional fare of escargot, and confit de canard, amongst other delights. The menu is only in French and the wait staff also only speak in French so be prepared should you ever want to check it out! This place does 2000 covers a day, and as we left around 9pm, there were queues outside of people desperate to get their piece of this extremely well priced fare. Around 200 euro covered dinner for ten of us (3 courses plus all beverages). <br />
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Dinner followed by G&Ts and banter at the bar down the road. Good fun.... Pics below of all of the above. Xoxo<br />
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<br />Kikki http://www.blogger.com/profile/02659072376047518239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822027319361564569.post-82725667463204366452013-07-09T07:12:00.000-07:002014-04-16T23:40:22.508-07:00Conquering queue phobia... Well they say that to conquer a phobia (or in my case utter repulsion), one should tackle it head on. Well there was little choice when we arrived "early" to Versailles on Sunday morning to use our tickets from a few days before. We arrived about five minutes after every tour bus in Paris!<br />
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Not deterred we joined the throng excited to see the inside of the most majestic palace. The queue actually quadrupled in size within minutes of us arriving ("look back there kids, at least we are not in THAT part of the queue"). We managed to get into the palace in around 50 minutes and it was worth the wait. It was sheer opulence, in fact it was hard to imagine that in the first few years of its existence this palace had no toilets and its noble inhabitants were forced to do their business where they stood!!! It was said the stench could be detected from miles around!! <br />
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Pleasantries aside, the palace today really reflects the indulgence of Louis the 14th. The Hall of Mirrors was just breathtaking in its magnificence (see pics below with gold statues and multiple chandelier). I would love to return and see it again when less crowded. <br />
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After departing Versailles we returned in time to have lunch at the local and famous Fontaine de Mars (made famous by visits from VIPs like the Obamas and the Ford Sporas). It sustained us beautifully and we were just in time to take our "skip the line" trip up the Eiffel Tour. It was a beautifully clear day and the view from the summit was stunning. We decided to walk down from the second level to earn an ice cream at the bottom.<br />
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That night we dined at a local brasserie and then wandered to the Eiffel to take some snaps. Mackenzie and I ended up staying at the Champ de Mars Parc until 10.30pm as the sun went down, gazing up at the beautiful tour with all the local Parisians enjoying what has been their first week of summer weather this season.<br />
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Pics below of Versailles (including charismatic fellow playing a piano accordion on the train on way to Versailles), Eiffel Tour and pics at the Tour Eiffel after dinner... Happy days. <br />
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<br />Kikki http://www.blogger.com/profile/02659072376047518239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822027319361564569.post-60450329244391406132013-07-09T06:27:00.002-07:002013-07-09T06:27:31.576-07:00The boys are back in town!!!! And a little bit of indulgence....We really hadn't stopped since we left Perth, and with a Fin feeling a tad under the weather, so on Saturday, a lay day was called for. The kids lay about in the apartment most of the day whilst I felt the excitement of knowing The Besties had arrived in town the night before. <br />
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With the kids laying about I decided to check out the Rue Cler markets nearby then decided to take a walk up to Galleries Lafayette in the 15th. As per previous post it was quite successful and I was able to do it without worrying about the rest of the family's agenda.<br />
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Mid afternoon we caught up with the Besties Ryan and Michael and shared a champagne and maccaron to celebrate their arrival. We agreed to meet on the Champs Élysées later that evening to share a visit at the Louis Vuitton store before dinner. Ken had promised a visit to pick up a 40th birthday gift. It was a rather successful and rather indulgent visit picking up new Alma Bag and new season sunglasses. <br />
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From there we went to the stunning Raffles Royal Monceau Michelin starred Le Cuisine. The photos say it all and it was wonderful to catch up with the boys who did a marvellous job of covering up their jet lag and kicked on until 11-ish. A fine effort.<br />
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The service at Monceau was fabulous (in fact we have found it very friendly and attentive most places thus far) from the doorman who greeted us with a top hatted smile (offering to carry my LV parcel - it wasn't leaving my side) to the gorgeous wait staff who were super friendly yet professional). The meal was fabulous with dishes to choose from "Near and Far". At the waiters suggestion we shared 8 starters several of which were some of the most delicious flavours I had encountered in a while. The tuna sashimi was a hit and the presentation of all dishes was picture perfect. I had my first encounter with snails and frogs legs and they were so delicious. <br />
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As always the company of the hubby and the Besties made for a night filled with laughter and endless conversation.... Topped off with a photo shoot in the foyer of the stunning hotel. <br />
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Dodgy iPhone pics below of LV and evening at Raffles Royal Monceau...<br />
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<br />Kikki http://www.blogger.com/profile/02659072376047518239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822027319361564569.post-82172055578647110052013-07-08T00:09:00.001-07:002013-07-08T00:09:15.002-07:00A walk through history, kids style...On Friday we did the "skip the line" style Louvre museum tour. I was worried that the history and significance of this museum would be lost on the kids, so after some research a couple months ago I found a company called Paris Muse who do kid specific Louvre tours. The concept is fantastic. The kids get a clue book at the beginning. The only way they can solve all the clues is to find them as they visit the many wings of the museum with our great guide Kelly. She made everything sound so fascinating, and had the kids captivated for two hours. Ken and I really enjoyed having someone else take over for a couple hours as we wandered along behind enjoying the Louvre from a different perspective. It was such a great visit.<br />
The highlight was the Stele of Hammurabi (see pic below), a thumb shaped stone dating back 4000 years containing the worlds first ever recorded set of rules which were painstakingly etched into the stone and preserved ever since. The kids, like the rest of the world, were captivated by the Mona Lisa, our guide Kelly taking them to look at her from every angle, revealing why the world over have fallen in love with this painting. Her tip on how to get to the front to see her in a crowded room was also priceless!<br />
After using the clues to find their treasure we left Kelly and decided to catch a cab to Galleries Lafayette for lunch. We chose the champagne lounge upstairs which offers a lovely view of the stunning dome in this most famous shopping store. <br />
The kids and ken then left me to browse the many levels of the store after lunch but whilst it was fun, it was largely unproductive due to the place being over run by tourists trying to bag a bargain. I found the (much smaller) store in Montparnasse much quieter and was able to make some nice purchases. Be prepared to use your French however if you find yourself out at this store. The range is also not as extensive. <br />
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That evening we dined at the restaurant of the chef Christian Constant, Les Cocettes on St Domimique around the corner. Most enjoyable. The sepia pic of Miss Mackenzie below was taken on the way home. <br />
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Pics below, Paris Muse tour of the Louvre, Galleries Lafayette, Miss Happy Mackenzie........xoxo<br />
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<br />Kikki http://www.blogger.com/profile/02659072376047518239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822027319361564569.post-5237432099894790862013-07-04T23:03:00.004-07:002013-07-04T23:05:54.158-07:00The Road less travelled around Versailles... Whilst the hefty tour buses made their way to the front gates of Versailles yesterday morning, we pedalled our way past and headed for the spectacular gardens of Versailles. <br />
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It was a magnificent day (we shall speak none of my minor stack within the first ten minutes of commencing the tour, none of it I say!), the weather overcast but perfect for a day of riding. <br />
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After meeting up with our guide from Fat Tire Bike Tours, we headed on the train to Versailles. One in four of the trains to Versailles have been decorated in the style of Versailles. We managed to get one and it was stunning. <br />
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After getting fitted up for bikes we headed into the local markets. I can't deny I had a few heart palpitations as I watched Finley do his first bout of proper road cycling on the busy streets of Versailles. Turned out he was a pro and led our group around Versailles for most of the day. We picked up some delicious sweet n savoury morsels from a patisserie (assuring ourselves we would work it all off on the bike ride) and then headed towards Versailles. <br />
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The gardens of Versailles take up 800ha, and the perimeter of the stunning canal is just over 5.5km. It is so vast a garden that it is quite overwhelming. The gardens were commissioned by Louis the 14th in 1661 and certainly reflect his self indulgence. <br />
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We spent a couple hours cycling around the gardens stopping to hear about some of the outer buildings along the way (including the home that kept Marie Antoinette - see pic below with Fin in the foreground). At around 1pm we cycled around the Canal to the end and ate our picnic lunch looking back down the canal towards the magnificent palace. It was so tranquil and a complete contrast to what was to follow when we eventually made our way to the palace.<br />
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Around 3pm we dropped our bikes off and wandered back to the palace. We left our guide at this point and were free to visit the palace and ride the train home at our leisure. <br />
As we approached the palace our "queue phobia" kicked in as we tried to make sense of this mass of people that had formed the longest line we has ever seen. We had been on the go for 8 hours, and noting that our tickets to the palace were valid for two years, decided to come back early one morning , and instead opted to wander the palace garden before training it home. We came home... We ate... We slept...for 11 hours!<br />
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Lowlight of the day: that thing we shall never speak of.<br />
Highlight: just "being" with my family as we went back in time, taking in the magnitude and splendour of this magnificent place.<br />
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<br />Kikki http://www.blogger.com/profile/02659072376047518239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822027319361564569.post-79242925109877911002013-07-04T22:12:00.000-07:002013-07-04T22:12:49.878-07:00Room with a view... Bienvenue a Paris! From the moment we arrived in Paris we realised that London was just the appetiser to our epic voyage!<br />
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The trip on the Eurostar was a delight and we alighted at 2pm feeling refreshed and excited. Jet lag was a distant memory. We were hopeful to kick on past 8.30! We opted for the chauffeur again (Black Lane) which again made the whole experience so easy (this company are well priced but if you ever intend to use them let me know so I can pass on some handy tips).<br />
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20 minutes later we arrived at our apartment in the 7th. I researched apartments for some months before booking so you can imagine my delight when we arrived and the location and the apartment surpassed our expectations.<br />
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A stroll around the neighbourhood revealed it would satisfy all our (culinary)needs (read: patisserie, brasserie, maccaron'erie?, and much more!) Our first stop was some afternoon tea at a delightful little patisserie for some ice cream (kids) and croissant jambon (ken and I). We were delighted that our lovely waitress was more than happy to speak to us in French despite our sometimes less than impressive delivery. <br />
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For our first night we booked Le Train Bleu at Gare du Lyon. It scratched my nostalgic itch for the stylings of the Belle Époque era. Some might say the decor of this heritage listed site outshines the food, and it is hard to argue. It is like dining in a museum. It was a delight.<br />
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We arrived home a sunset ( 9.45pm) in time to see the tour Eiffel light show from the balcony at 10pm. Life's good.... Xoxo<br />
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Pics below: apartment, Le Train Bleu, and that big structure that everyone seems to fuss about...<br />
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<br />Kikki http://www.blogger.com/profile/02659072376047518239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822027319361564569.post-5920582318826568602013-07-02T09:46:00.000-07:002013-07-02T09:46:03.416-07:00Where do kids want to go in London? .......Day three in London was all about the kids.<br />
We decided to let them set the itinerary. Needless to say they wanted to go to M and M World and Hamleys toy shop. We actually went to Hamleys a couple of days ago, it was a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">The kids walked away with their luggage sized toys and Ken and I walked away with the yummiest looking chocolate.</span> On this next occasion they purely wanted one of the Hamleys crazy milk shakes. <br />
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M and M world was as expected. More tacky M and M merch' than you can poke a stick at, and more M and Ms than you could eat in a life time (I would be willing to have a good crack at it though).<br />
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Half an hour after we left this personal trainers nightmare (Cathy/Jack, i know you're out there), as we sat on a double decker bus roaming around London, I had to confess to Finley "I think I have M and M poisoning".<br />
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Lunch was at OXO tower (the chocolate poisoning a distant memory). It was a trip down memory Lane from a boozy lunch ten years before for the BFFs 30th birthday. We had a wonderful lunch of soft shell crab, quail, bass, tuna. And, the service was excellent. Really friendly and attentive. Despite half the people in London seeming to have an Aussie accent, the Londoners seem to always want to have a chat about us and Australia. <br />
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See shots below from M and M world, Hamleys toy shop (the Lego royals), yummy food at Oxo tower, and Fin and Kenz out front of Kensington Palace - Hyde Park (taken on our morning run at the local park!!!!)<br />
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<br />Kikki http://www.blogger.com/profile/02659072376047518239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822027319361564569.post-15510591990421728952013-07-02T08:38:00.000-07:002013-07-02T08:46:42.862-07:00Sunday UPmarket, Chelsea FC, Kew Gardens....Kenzie and I decided to hit the markets this delightful Sunday whilst the boys went to a tour of Chelsea FC.<br />
A bit of research suggested that the Sunday upmarket in Spitalfields was the go. More quirky home made style gear rather than mass produced trash found at many markets around the world. <br />
We caught the tube from Gloucester to Liverpool street and took the lovely stroll to the markets. Was rather impressed with myself for mastering the tube without "The Navigator", but more about his navigation skills later....<br />
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We chose to wander through the Petticoat Lane markets on our way to Upmarket and picked up some really cute English teddies for the cousins (the same ones were at Hamleys the next day at more than 2.5 times the price... bargain!) before finding ourselves at the upmarket. Our noses were greeted by a million scents from around the world. Soon after our eyes were greeted with the feast of colour from the stalls presenting food from around the world. We forgot knick knacks for a while as we sampled some of the best authentic market food I have ever encountered. It was only 11am so we restricted ourselves to some duck gyoza, pork bun (check the size of it in the pic of Kenz below) and a few other lovely morsels. I imagine Londoners head down here for Sunday lunch feast whilst shopping on a regular basis. It would be impossible to be left wanting. Further into the markets one can find lovely home made scarves, cards, t-shirts and loads more.<br />
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Whilst we were at the markets Ken and Fin went on what turned out to be a VIP tour of Chelsea FC. The photos say it all. Fin has been a walking advertise,net for Chealsea FC Club ever since. It has made him very popular with the locals. <br />
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By the afternoon the jet lag was kicking in so our catch up with my old school buddy Jackie and her family was just the tonic. We spent a leisurely afternoon in Kew Gardens (near Ealing). <br />
This is without doubt the most beautiful gardens I have ever been to. It is a huge place (we spent several hours there and only saw parts of it) and there are enough activities for the family to take up several days. The gardens are delightfully manicured and there are massive green houses with plant life from all over the world. Activities include: playgrounds, treetop walks, canoeing on the lake, and much more. Some of the buildings are just breathtaking and had me pining for a bygone era. <br />
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Highlight of the day: knowing I navigated the tube without a hitch whilst Finley and "the navigator" hopped on theirs in the wrong direction... It's the little things as they say.<br />
See pics below of our trip to the markets, Fins adventures at Chelsea, and a couple of snaps at Kew gardens. Xoxo<br />
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<br />Kikki http://www.blogger.com/profile/02659072376047518239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822027319361564569.post-10403104495413208542013-07-02T00:57:00.000-07:002013-07-02T00:57:08.161-07:00The perils of long haul flying...Our first day in London went pretty much as expected. Our plan was to sleep on the second leg of our transit and awake ready to kick on upon arrival at 7am in London. Well done Kenzie, mission accomplished! Upon writing this, I am currently on 2 hours sleep since departing Perth. Needless to say, the 70 minute queue at the London eye we pre-booked for 4pm this afternoon was not exactly what the doctor ordered, particularly whilst nursing blistered feet (NEVER, I repeat NEVER wear new shoes on a long haul plane flight... Disaster!) Thankfully early on in the day I had successfully turned "death by blister" into "holiday bargain via Camper" but the feet will take some days to recover.<br />
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My success story of the day ( aside from early check in) would have to be the angel that was Suren from www.chauffeur-one.com whom we hired to pick us up from the airport. It was worth every pound (quite reasonable actually) after a long haul flight to have someone waving a card with your name and insist on taking your luggage to the vehicle. Highly recommended. AND free wifi in the car!</div>
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We are staying in a split level apartment in Citadines in Kensington. It's a great location and whilst compact, a nice little apartment close to Gloucester station.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from London Eye - a very clear day. </td></tr>
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Kikki http://www.blogger.com/profile/02659072376047518239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822027319361564569.post-78520350790581583062013-06-11T20:13:00.001-07:002013-06-11T20:13:47.970-07:00London Calling - your favourite places to visit in London?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: TH; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: TH; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: TH; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Been blown away by so many visits to my blog since I started it last weeknd. </span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: TH; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Most of our adventure in a few short weeks will be spent in France, however we are doing a stop over to visit some special friends in London, get over the jet lag, and to tick some boxes for the kids. Fin and Kenz are desperate to go to Hamleys Toyshop, and I cant wait to show them the sights of London. </span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: TH; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: TH; mso-fareast-font-family: PMingLiU; mso-fareast-language: ZH-TW; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Got any tips on place to go and see (especially with kids) during a four night stopover in London? Let me know... Kikki....xxxx</span>Kikki http://www.blogger.com/profile/02659072376047518239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822027319361564569.post-7003693404969789012013-06-06T23:19:00.000-07:002013-06-07T03:08:33.004-07:00So what do you do when you are turning 40 and are slightly freaked out? You run away to France........<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Maxvqf4Mfq3MIclfBdkLxsmR5YUzowGAranY0Mhj6UVuk485-vzgOqB9_YFIJczNlUCEfwcb_bB9vFGjJJNPFOcJz0zy9lZ_S-p7f9YBJvVvs79sV0y72Lyt9jnyF3ZzI8Q9KupJmWE/s1600/paris-france-eiffel-tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Maxvqf4Mfq3MIclfBdkLxsmR5YUzowGAranY0Mhj6UVuk485-vzgOqB9_YFIJczNlUCEfwcb_bB9vFGjJJNPFOcJz0zy9lZ_S-p7f9YBJvVvs79sV0y72Lyt9jnyF3ZzI8Q9KupJmWE/s320/paris-france-eiffel-tower.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In three weeks I will run away to France with a few of my favourite people. I dont want to clog up anyones facebook page so I have set up this blog in the hope it may keep those who want to be informed, and hopefully entertained and delighted. <br />
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I am kinda hoping that this may begin a lifelong love affair with blogging.... lets see...... Kikki xxxxxKikki http://www.blogger.com/profile/02659072376047518239noreply@blogger.com0