WHAT A VALENTINE'S DAY

A week before Valentine's Day and I received a Tweet to say that I have won a national competition and have won the first prize - an all expenses trip to Paris!!! However, I had to keep it quiet till the following Monday -  a whole three days!

Despite my excitement I managed to keep it quiet until the official announcement was made only to find that my wife doubted whether she would be able to take Friday 14th off. The threat of me having to take someone else did the trick and plans were put in place for our trip.

We were met at the ferry terminal at Dover and boarded our crossing in the first class section and were greeted with a glass of champagne each and were presented with a camera, a Paris guidebook and 250 euros. After enjoying an on board meal, we were met by our own personal chauffeur who took us all the way from Calais to our boutique Parisian hotel where we found champagne and flowers inside our room. A quick change and we were whisked off for photos around the Eiffel Tower and then another short taxi ride to our restaurant for the evening where  we were treated to the most delicious meal you could imagine with the most attentive staff. A short stroll back to the hotel completed the day.

The next day, after a hearty breakfast, we had a day to explore Paris. We walked to Place de la Concord on to the Paris wheel and then wandered through La Tuileries Jardins to La Louvre. Next it was on to the boat station and a drink and a boat tour down the Seine taking in all the Parisian sites. We got a bit chilly after this, so a short metro ride took us to La Fayette department store and a couple of their speciality coffees warmed us through before making our way back to the hotel. Another metro ride and another nice meal (including frogs' legs for Carolyn) rounded off the day.

A comfortable night in the hotel, another lovely breakfast and we were whisked back in a chauffeur driven limousine to the post. C'est le week-end magnifique!