Disneyland Paris

Monday - an excellent day in Disneyland Park. we rode many of the rides - Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril; Space Mountain; Buzz Lightyear; phantom Mansion. Sadly despite several false alarms, Thunder Mountain was closed.

A great time was had by all.

"No Dancing" in a Small World!

Tuesday - We tried the Disney Studios Park today. A different atmosphere to the Disneyland Park and some different rides and shows.

We went on the Tram Ride around the special effects which started slowly but was very spectacular. Lots of rain, flames and floods of water.

Daniel and Lynda went on the Parachute Drop whilst me, Zoe and Hannah went on the "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror". Aptly named as it turned out. Was all very exciting though.

We paid the "Moteurs Stunt Show" a go which was excellent. Lots of flames, wheelying bikes and fast impressive driving.

For a last hurrah we all went on a Finding Nemo themed "Crush's Coaster" which promised steep drops, fast spins and high speed action. This turned out to be all true. I thought that I was going to succumb to motion sickness, and was quite concerned as to how Daniel got on. It's fair to say that I don't think that Lynda or Daniel will be queuing to go on it again any time soon. Still, we all got round and have a story to tell.

Wednesday - We had a different day today in Paris. It was hot and sunny again, so the Metro was pretty stuffy, but we got to the Eiffel Tower which always looks impressive, especially considering how long it has been there. We didn't go up as the queues were enormous due in part to some of the lifts being faulty.

Le picnic near le Tower Eiffel

Mc and Arc de Triumph in the same shot!

Waiting for the Metro

We made our way to the Arc de Triumph and then wandered down part of the Champs-Elysées, passing the rather out of place looking McDonalds. We didn't go in. Not out of some cultural protest, but because the queues were far too long. A milkshake would have gone down very nicely at the time.

En route to Disneyland Paris

Translates as "delayed for an hour!"

Sunday - a long Day. We got up at 5:00 AM to head for the Tunnel. We had an hour or so delay, but wasn't too bad.

A shady spot at Vimy Ridge

We reached the memorial at Vimy Ridge at about 13:00 and had a look around. Although the memorial is for the Canadian fallen, the recreated trenches set the scene a little more helpfully for Hannah and Daniel. Zoe has studied the First World War at school and is also a veteran of a very long day trip to Ypres and some trenches visits with school.

We drove through Arras and "le Petit Place" before reaching Great, Great Great Grandad's grave. This was a little odd for Hannah and Daniel especially, but hopefully it will mean more to them looking back in a few years from now.

A corner of a foreign field

They're back!

Well, both Daniel and Hannah seemed to have a good time away last week.  The house felt very strange without them around.  It sounds like they tried lots of new activities.  Some were rather muddy!....

Geneva

Monday 25th June
In Geneva Switzerland for the EBU Networks Seminar. Before I set out, I found the hotel on Google Streetview, saw that the number 5 bus stops right outside, and found the bus timetable on the web as well as where to catch the bus at the airport.
Can't help feeling that some of the adventure has gone out of travel these days?

No Hannah or Daniel for a week!

Monday 25th June
As Zoe did three years ago. Hannah and Daniel set off this morning for a week away at an adventure centre. They seemed ok with the idea, and coped very well with waving goodbye in the school playground. I am sure that they will have a great time. They are home again on Friday.
I am away in Geneva for an EBU Conference. Not very good timing, but Zoe said that she would look after Lynda.

Fathers Day

I was given a very appropriate gift on Fathers Day yesterday.  An axe! Only need it for chopping kindling for the fire pit, nothing too ambitious.  Daniel was interested though.  What could possibly go wrong?!!!.....

Fingers!!!

Friday 15 June

A rather strange week. Zoe is away with school at an Activity Holiday Centre in the New Forest area. So the house seems unusually quiet without her around. It is nice to spend some more time with Daniel and Hannah though. Zoe has sent the occasional text message through and seems to be having a fun time.
Hope that she has enjoyed it. Hannah and Daniel are away in a couple of week's time.



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