Life Time Adventure - Paris

On April 28th., we made the Channel crossing into France by Eurostar. The journey was comfortable and pleasant.

We made a French friend on the way from East Croydon station to St. Pancras. It was her first time to visit London and was on her way back to Paris. She does not speak English but we managed to communicate. This situation help me boost my confident a little about visiting France because we do not speak French. Anyway she was glad that we were heading in the same direction. It was sad that we lost her at the check in area to Paris because she had some problem with her tickets.

Happiness.

Every thing went smoothly for us at the station and soon were on our way to Paris wondering whether our new found friend made it on the train. Our host meet us at the station and we in the warmth of her home soon.

With our host.

The next day she took us along to pick up her daughter in Paris and she show us some of the tourist hot spots. Yes we were excited to see these places for the first time with our very own eyes.

Eiffel Tower

Arc De Triomphe

A small museum with gold plated doors.

  
Napoleon's Tomb or Les Invalides                                     

The city part of Paris the buildings are kept low with a maximum of 7 floors including the ground floor.

 

However just outside the city line there is where the skyscrapers are.

Welcome to Paris!

A Life Time Adventure - Going Up North.

It was about a week more before we will travel to Continental Europe. Since we had the time we decided to travel on our own to Winterton in the north. We also wanted to have a look at St. Pancras International which is where we will board the Eurostar to Paris.

St. Pancras International

For this trip we made use of Mega Bus, the first part of the journey is by train from St. Pancras International to East Midlands Parkway and the cost of the journey was within our budget. We also get familiarised ourselves with St. Pancras International. This is really good for us because we will be travelling to Paris from here.

Midlands Trains 

What's up there?

The Longest Champagne bar just beside the Eurostar platforms.

In the train to East Midlands Parkway.

Rapeseed blooming

Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station

Our Dinner :)

A Life Time Adventure - A Day Out Around Oxted

We were treated to lunch in a very old building, it was out in the country and I had no idea where we were.

The lunch place.

Great Company.

Roast Lamb with Yorkshire Pudding ... Yum!

Creme Brulee

Cheese Cake.

That was a wonderful lunch, thank you.

After lunch we went to Staffhurst Wood for a walk and to look at the bluebell blooms.

Bluebells in the background.

Bluebells.

A Life Time Adventure - London 2nd Visit

Decided to make a trip to East Croydon which is in south of London and is part of outer London. It is an interesting place with a mix of cultures from different part of the world. We just walk around with no real destination but just to look see.

East Croydon

Trams tracks

Open air market with lots of choices.

The next day we went down to Clapham Junction, this area is in general an affluent place. 

Clapham Junction

Claimed to be the best sausage roll in London.

House Renovation in progress!

Wandsworth Prision, was told that it is a high security prison.

A grey squirrel which is not native to UK.

Enjoying good company in the sun with a drink! Thank you.

After that we had a early dinner treat in a Spanish Restaurant - Rosita & The Sherry Bar - this is the first time I had Spanish Food.

Cheese lollipop ... yum!

There were so many dishes and these were just some of it. Thank you so much for the delicious meal and experience.

A Life Time Adventure - Garden Visits.

Visiting old houses and gardens seems to be a favourite pastime here. We been to a few of these places and did a lot of walking. I think we had walked as much as we would had done for two years back home in this short time since we arrived. The gardens were beautiful and were in different stages of spring.

  Emmetts Garden

Holly.

A view of the Farm.

Rock Garden.

Hall Place House and Gardens.

Tulips.

 Walled fruit plants.

Flattened apple trees.

Growing fruit trees the way you want it.

 We were not able to get into the house it was closed.