A Segway Tour in Paris

We were in Paris last weekend for a bit of Christmas shopping. Initially we wanted to go to Germany for their famous markets but since A could get Eurostar tickets on discount ( from work ), we decided to go to Paris. In the end, we didn't buy a lot but it was fun nevertheless to see a Parisian Christmas market.

The market we went to is on the Champs-Élysées. We were first taken there on our Segway tour.  It was mainly food. Well, maybe we noticed these most as it was lunch time.  We didn't have time for lunch during the tour so H settled for a waffle. He couldn't resist all those Nutella jars lining up the stall.

 

We had a half hour training session on the Segway before we set off.  Jonnie, our tour guide made it looked so easy when he demostrated.  When a guy from our group jumped at the chance to be first to try and promptly performed a split, mounting the Segway, we were crestfallen.  Then H had a go and made it looked easy again so we were encouraged.  Fortunately I only wobbled the first time I mounted though stepping off took a few goes before I can stop the Segway running over my foot.

 

Jonnie had to run along with me, this first time because I was going too fast LOL.

 

 

Our first stop was the Military School and Champ de Mars.

 

 

During our tour, we visited quite a few monuments that I haven't seen such as the Invalides, the Golden Dome Church, even the Grand Palais. Here was our group waiting to cross the road. Fortunately we only encountered one French motorist who begrudged us using the crossing and decided not to stop for us. I am pleased to say hundreds others did, and this one car was not sporting a Parisian number plate.

 

 

We took the tour with City Segway Tours, based near the Eiffel Tower. It lasted approximately 3.5 hours.  We used pavements and cycle paths and I was amazed how we managed to control our Segway even around pedestrian. Apparently you can go up to 10 miles per hour though I am doubtful we achieved this but you can also go at walking pace.

 

When we finished the tour, we walked back to check out the rest of the market. We stopped off at Hagen Daaz for some ice-cream. H and A shared a fondue.

 

 

H and J both would want a Segway for Christmas.  H reckons he can go to school on it.  LOL...I am not sure our pavements are big enough. 

Sarah's Cards December Challenge

There is a new sketch posted on Sarah's Cards Blog, hosted by Tracy. I hope you don't mind, but I have gone with some summery photos;  I am desperately trying to counteract the cold spell we are having.

 

This is called "A tail from Cromer".  No, I know tale should be spelled tale and not tail but this is intended...H was playing the part of being a mermaid or should that be merman ?

 

Do join us for a chance to win £20 to spend at Sarah's Cards.

Something Blue ?

Emilie at Merly Impressions challenged us to use Blue on a layout for their November challenge.  I have been meaning to join in but my good intention stayed intention due to other commitments.  But I couldn't excuse myself seeing as this challenge is so broad and flexible.

I have decided to create a LO just using just blue.  Quite strange for me, I missed the splash of yellow or red that I would normally add.

This layout uses a photo from many years ago, when the boys were tiny, on our trip to Morocco.  It seems appropriate to use blue, to suggest a calm oasis and the pool area that this photo was taken in.

 

Coming Home

We live in a village just on the outskirt of a big city. The city ends, the street lights stop and a field is all we have before a road sign announced our village. On some evenings, returning home from the school run, I might see the full moon, low in the sky, a windmill in the foreground.  A left turn and you are greeted with a row of Conker trees. I always feel a gladness when I see these signs of the village.

Do you remember this photo of the village ? This is actually the view when we leave the village. Can we expect more cold weather this year ?

The temperature has plumetted in the last few days. I hear they are expecting the worst winter in 10 years. What do you think ? I thought that weekend in February half term this year was bad. The car displayed -10 C one morning.

I am sharing this story with Sian on Storytelling Sunday.  You can find more wonderful stories here. This layout was made for Scrap365, Sparkle gallery.