The kindness of strangers. . .

Having visited Paris once before with two girlfriends on a lovely but rushed trip desperately trying to find vintage shops- with none of us speaking a word of French, I had always wished to go back with my boyfriend!

Then, on Feb 14th this year P produced two Eurostar tickets as a surprise! Since then I hadn't thought much about it- swept up in the excitement of holiday and then getting engaged!

Suddenly, before we knew it the date for Paris was upon us and we were packing our suitcases! Leaving work for a half day (always very exciting) we headed first to meet amazing jewellery designer - Patrick Wyatt to collect my engagement ring! I can't describe the feeling when I first saw it, glistening in Patrick's hands as he ran it up to us straight from the polishers wheel and put it in it's beautiful box! I couldn't believe how this piece of unique treasure was designed for me. . . and what an incredible piece of perfection Patrick had created. 

       

Lots of thankful kisses and hugging of Patrick "the genius" Wyatt later and with time ticking and our train time looming we sprinted out of the building bobbing through Hatton Garden onto the tube to St Pancras. . . Making it by literally the skin of our teeth we swooped through security and boarded the train.

Now for a very rare story portraying the kindness of strangers:

We sat opposite each other on a table seat, two men sitting next to us. We exchanged hello's and pleasant chit chat, I obviously- all this while couldn't stop staring at my ring. No sooner had we taken off, one of the men- Dennis - asked whether congratulations were in order- I explained that we'd been engaged for 4 weeks but had just got the ring! Anyway- the journey commenced and Dennis popped off. When he came back he produced us with a bottle of champagne and two glasses and said we couldn't take the Eurostar to Paris without a bottle of Champagne to celebrate! They wouldn't let us share it with them saying it was just for us to enjoy.  We just could not believe it- the kindest of total stranger.  Popping the champagne and enjoying every gulp, the rest of the journey we sat chatting to the Dennis and his lovely friend all the way to Gare du Nord. Already surprised by their kind gesture of champagne they then would not take no for an answer by giving us two metro tickets on arrival. The kindest men who literally walked in to and out of our lives in less than 2 hrs. So weird how that happens isn't it

Paris itself was just perfect, we stayed with friends for the first night which incorporated lots and lots of wine, amazing home cooked food, more ring staring and a unanimous 12am decision to walk to the Eiffel Tower, watching it glitter as the clock struck 1 am and then hopping on to Paris's version of Boris Bikes and cycling around the deserted streets of Paris, giddy and laughing- especially when P's pedal fell off....  only then realising that we all had flat tyres. Promptly putting the bikes back we headed home for bed!

                  

                 

Waking up on Saturday morning to paper bags full of oozing pan au chocolat, warm French stick and gooey pan au raisin- my ultimate favourite! Laure made hot chocolate - which was just divine, apparently her secret weapon was to cook it for a while in a pan and adding some sugar...naughty- but just unreal! Full up we set off, camera around neck for a full days exploring of sunny and romantic Paris.

Firstly hitting the deliciously colourful market next to Dave and Laure's house.

Some of the market men were just as delicious looking as the food ;o)

  

  

Saturday night we headed to our hotel in St Germain de Pris to get ready for a night out. We headed out to Monmartre with Dave and Laure for the evening, such a beautiful place! Buzzing little street cafes, all centralised on a hill looking over Paris, a true romantics dream.

                           

Dave and Laure took us to their favourite place to eat, Cafe Au Reve a little neighbourhood restaurant, typically French and boy was the food just divine! Bread, snails, goats cheese, salmon and avocado salads, burgers (not French but homemade and delicious), cheese boards, red wine, white wine, vodka and then puddings... Well you know my love of anything sweet!
I went for a taster selection of puddings and it was incredible! I could not pick a favourite as they were all so delicious and more-ish, lots of cream, chocolate and flavour!
We finished the evening off with a much needed walk around Monmartre (Note: Heels are NOT appropriate footwear!!!), taking in the incredibly lit skyline and the Eiffel Tower and then wondered down to the Pigalle strip - ie. Paris's version of Soho. Lots of strip bars, naughty shops, stag parties and then at the end.... the famous Moulin Rougue.

           

Sunday morning and the sun was shining. We had a leisurly breakfast and then checked out ready for another days exploration. In Paris, every thing's shut on a Sunday - but to be honest this really saved my bank card and just allowed us to do more exploring, covering some more markets, all the major sites and more and of course stopping for numerous treat breaks! Paris deserves no less.

The beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg - you cannot go to Paris without visiting this stunning place!

Flower and bird market near to Notre Dame

We caught the last Eurostar back from Paris to London with a very large dose of love, a pang of nostalgia and some amazing memories. . . desperate to book another trip in the very near future! Needless to say, our trip back on the Eurostar wasn't quite as delightful, sitting next to a couple who argued the whole way back. Typical.

Emi x