After my
sister's wedding the other week, it started to feel like the world had suddenly deflated. The same kind of feeling you get after Christmas day, there had been so much build up to the big event, that afterwards it immediately felt that we needed something to look forward to.
Now I know many of you may or may not remember but my boyfriend and I ventured to Paris to watch the last stretch of the
Tour de France last year. So, just after the wedding my boyfriend turns to me and says "
Let's drive to Paris", initially I rolled my eyes and brushed it off, but I soon noticed he was serious. Sorry, before I go any further can I quickly paint the picture for you - he passed his driving test on the 9th June and had only been on the motorway the day of the wedding for a couple of junctions. Paris was all of that for much longer and on the other side of the road.... Trying to be the supportive girlfriend I agreed to it, half thinking he'd forget and something else would tickle his fancy (preferably the eurostar!). It serves me right for doubting but on Wednesday morning he announces he's booked the tunnel and sorted accommodation. We were actually going to Paris on Saturday morning. *Glup*
To be fair to him, he drove amazingly. We got over our first hurdle which was starting on the M1 and heading to Folkestone, where we then got onto the tunnel. Our little car Bernie was doing superb and so was my boy!
Allez Wiggins! Allez Team Sky!
Once we'd got to Calais and after a few domestics we got on the correct road to Paris. This went on for what felt like forever, but we managed to find our campsite for the evening.
We arrived at the campsite quite late so indluged in stone baked pizzas and a cheeky beer before we turned in for the evening. We wanted a good nights sleep (even though I forgot the inflatable mattrass - Oops!), before the long day to cheer on Team Sky.
It was all very tasty, but my goodness were we ready for bed! The only downfall of being there for a day and a half, we wanted to enjoy more of Paris but couldn't. We got up nice and early with the birds for our day ahead...
The stunning site in Paris!
Getting the breakfast ready
The campsite was lovely, you would of never known you were nearly in the center of Paris. You could hire bikes for the day and there was even a shuttle bus into the city center.
We bought all out camping gear with us, including food bits, and me being me, I bought some of my favorite camping items. I was desperate to try out my Fair Wind Blue Bird Cool Camping Set, this was a fabulous internet find and is ideal for camping!
"This hand-painted camping set is perfect for summer holidays under
canvas. It’s a great gift for camping enthusiasts that includes a mug,
cup and bowl all presented in a simple cotton gift bag. The striking
bird design has been hand-painted onto white enamelled stainless steel.
This set is also perfect for festivals and glamping, making the great
outdoors stylish and fun. This set completely safe for food use, but
please gently hand wash only. Bowl: 16.5cm (W) x 16.5cm (D) x 7cm (H),
cup: 8cm (W) x 8cm (D) x 12cm (H), mug: 8cm (W) x 8cm (D) x 8cm (H"
Blue Bird Cool Camping Set - £29.00
It comes in a lovely little gift bag - so you can give it as a gift, or like me be indulgant and keep it for yourself! There are other similar items you can add to your collection like trays and jugs etc. Its very much worth a browse of their website.
After we had enjoyed our food we set out our mission...
In little Bernie we went - complete with flags!
We saw Team Sky on the way - gave them a quick hug
Of course, it'd be rude if I didn't say hello again! ;o)
In front of the the Arc de Triomphe
Around the champs d'elysees all the action was happening, but unlike last year I noticed more and more Union Jacks. Not that I'm a huge follower of cycling, but was it that because Bradley Wiggins was potentially going to be the first British winner in 70 years - that the British were attracted to it finally? None the less it was a fabulous atmosphere amongst everyone.
At the Team Sky Fanzone, we met two fantastic guys who had dressed at knights
Wiggins facemasks
My boy in his geeky Tour De France hat & moi outside the Arc de Triomphe
It was soon time to head home. The weather had been beautiful, Bradley Wiggins had won and the spontaneous trip was worth every euro. Next year we plan to use a camper van and head out to some of the other hotspots of the Tour De France.
Apparently the weather was fantastic in most places, what did you all do with your weekends? Maybe we can finally all start wearing the summer clothes we've been dreaming of!
xoxo
