Hi everybody, I hope you've all been sunning yourself in this beautiful weather here in the UK. It's been great for a Bank Holiday. What more could you want. Sun and time off work! I must apologise for the late posting of the Blog but what with me being away in France I haven't had much time to do anything other than unpack and try and rest after a hectic few days.

The purpose of the trip was to go on the hunt for the Holy Grail. If any of you have read the Dan Brown Da Vinci Code books then you'll know what I'm talking about. Those that haven't well sit back and just enjoy the pictures of Paris. My trip started on the Euro star which I must say is a fabulous train. It is such a simple journey and so effortless and quick. So much quicker and convenient than flying. My journey began in London Waterloo where the Euro star whizzed off at high speed through the Kent countryside to the tunnel and eventually ending up in Gar Du Nord, Paris. It has been years since I was last in Paris and that trip was a disaster so I was going to try my hardest to make it a trip to remember.

As I made my way through the city in the taxi passing all the familiar sites and sounds of manic Paris the sun was blazing through the windows. The hotel was great. Le Meridien Et toile just a short walk from the Arc de Triomphe. Once checked in it was a case of dashing across Paris on foot to follow the Meridien line to the Louvre. For those of you that don't know the original Meridien line or 'Rose Line' ran through Paris before it was nicked by Britain hundreds of years ago and as I'm sure you know now runs through Greenwich.

The walk is long from the hotel and is probably about an hour on foot but the afternoon was so beautiful it seemed worthwhile. Up the Champs Elise and down through the Tuilleries gardens. Passing all the flowers and boutique shops. Until eventually you arrive at the massive courtyard where you see the glass pyramids rising up from the ground. I think they are fabulous but they are not every ones taste. Inside is where the story of the Da Vinci code began. The dead body of Jacques Saunier and the mysterious message. The paintings, the Mona Lisa and of course the work of Da Vinci. The picture on the right is where the Holy Grail or Mary Magdalene is supposedly buried, I'm very sceptical about all of the things in the book. It is hard to prove or disprove it.

Walking back to the hotel in the sunset taking in the Parisian air was great. The Champs Elise is quite an interesting place. With Shops and Airline companies all mixed up in there posh looking buildings (Oooops I just spilt my Pot Noodle, hang on). I just loved the Arc De Triumphe. It is such a wonderful building. One of the centre pieces of the capital. As you drive round it the mad Paris traffic rushes by in all directions and is so terrifying I don't envy any driver over there!

Day 2 and it was grab a quick croissant and then back on the trail of the Holy Grail. This time heading for the Latin Quarter to the Church of Saint Sulpice. This is where I mentioned before the Rose Line ends. It is also the part in the film where 'Sila's' sits outside in his car by the fountain in the square asking for God's forgiveness before he goes inside and kills this Nun. It again is a wonderful building. Quite run down but by the looks of it all the money from Hollywood is allowing it to be refurb'd which is great. Although I don't think the church like all this Da Vinci stuff.....

From there it was off to Sacre Couer and up to the Mont Martre. The view from up there is absolutely fabulous. You can see for miles and miles around. Pretty amazing if you go in the evening too with all the lights of Paris illuminated. This time for me it was a daytime visit. The church is strange in that the outside is so bright and loud and in your face and then you go inside and it's dark and eery.

A quick Crepe and it's onto the next site for my tour. Notre Dame. I always enjoy it here. Sitting on the banks of the Seine watching all the tourist boats float by. The church is again amazing piece of architecture. All of the gargoyles on the side make it authentic and even more interesting to me.

The final evening of my trip it was to be the best attraction that I think Paris has to offer. The Eiffel Tower. I love this place. There is no more romantic place in the world than here. To be walking around the gardens below the tower at night is great. The tower lit up in yellow and now occasionally it flashes white and looks beautiful!

Then after a good nights sleep it was back on the train back to the UK. What have I learnt from this little excursion. Well....that I would like to learn French. So watch this space my friends...

It's another hectic week next week. Dentist tomorrow and working on lates the rest of the week. Make sure you come back and check out whats been going on! Oh and thank you to all the 50 people who came and viewed the Blog last week. Remember to pass the address onto all of your mates and colleagues. Lets see if we can make it 60 hits next week?

Stu

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