In November 2002 I took Emma to Lille for the weekend
My eldest grand-daughter is learning French at school and when a Sunday Telegraph/Eurostar promotion came up I knew just who to take with me. This is Em's diary of our trip.
Thursday 24th October 2002
Mum took me by train to London and I stayed at Sam's overnight.
Friday 25th October 2002
We were out of bed by 5.30am and the taxi came at 5.45am to take us to Waterloo to catch the 06.53am Eurostar to Lille.
07.38 Have now been on the Eurostar for an hour. Only been travelling for three quarters of it but we are getting there. First part of the journey, so far, extremely slow, will continue to be slow until we are actually in France. Outside it is hammering it down (hopefully my gg's are wearing their rugs, that is if it raining in Wilton, but if the past few days are anything to go by it probably is!) Slept quite well last night at Sam's - woke up twice but soon got back to sleep. All I thought about was Beth and my new pony Trigger, oh yeah and the piddle monster puppy.
08.15 Now in the tunnel. The time is 09.15 on my watch because of the time change. So everything from now on in French time.
Sam's note: We got to the hotel at about 10.30 am. Checked in, unpacked and jumped on the Metro to Rihour where we booked our tickets for the bus tour. Had time for a quick hot chocolate break.
11.19 Just about to take a bus tour of Lillie. Already explored the Lille underground, not only is it easier to find your way around but the whole of the surrounding platforms are much more appealing.
12.54 Bus tour of Lille was very good, have taken in enough information for one day. About to eat lunch - having cheese toasted sandwiches (Croque Monsieur - gruyère cheese) very yummy.
16.07 After lunch we came back to the hotel and put our feet up. Have finished reading my book.
16.47 Got bored - read all the French signs and notices in the whole room, became majorly irritating Sam's note: agreed! so we were just off out. I went to the toilet - emerged with PLASTIC SHOWER CAP on head.
Sam's note: Poor girl - she obviously has a plastic shower cap problem!
17.13 On tram. Sam's note: Ken Livingstone is planning on foisting a tramway on West London and in the interests of research we took a ride on the tramway. We wrote our postcards - purchased in "Le Furet du Nord" in the pub.
17.56 Just got off the tram - it's raining have taken refuge in a pub (my choice). No longer "just" raining, absolutely hammering it down outside, on our way soon.
18.04 Coming home from Buisson on the tram. Going shopping at "Eurolille" - an enormous shopping centre.
18.47 Bought luverly pair of trousers from "Camaieu" for 29 euros and 90 cents.
19.13 Bought luverly top to wear with trousers from Etam for 30 euros (£20).
20.20 Just eaten at "La Source" - did not enjoy dinner as much as lunch but dessert (chocolate mousse) was very yummy. About to go back to the hotel to start book 2.
21.10 I am now back at the hotel and am getting ready for bed. Tomorrow we are visiting Palais des Beaux Arts with a French girl called Carina.
22.28 I thought the last entry would be the last for today but I was wrong. I just had to tell everyone about the 2nd installment of the PLASTIC SHOWER CAP. When I started to get ready for bed I went into the bathroom and I just could not resist having one more go. So after I had done the catwalk up and down the corridor once more out came the shower cap.
Saturday 26th of October
07.55 Got up, ponced about the room wearing new clothes and the shower cap. We went down to breakfast, I ate like a king and tomorrow we are going to nick some food from the hotel to eat on the train. Sam's note: She might be - I'm not!
09.48 Have just left hotel room and gone past the maid's trolley, Sam would not let me steal any shower caps, she said I could have them tomorrow. Sam's note: delaying tactic!
11.34 In museum NOT LIKING IT !!!!!!!!!!!
Sam's note: In defence of the Palais de Beaux Arts. The Baroque and Bohemian eras are not to everyone's taste (not even mine) but the Palais des Beaux Arts has been beautifully restored and has some wonderful paintings and sculptures. Emmanuel Frémiet's sculpture of the Knight-Errant (1878) took a bit of stick from Emma ("over-flexed and badly shod") but I was a bit disappointed that Emma could find nothing there that appealed to her, except some chairs.
13.00 No sooner do we finish in the stinky old museum, we are back in again waiting for Carina. We have had a look around the pedestrianised shopping area and had a drink.
13.20 Just got back to the hotel and we have received a message from Carina saying she can't make it.
14.24 We are on our way to a Pizza restaurant that the receptionist recommended (the pizza was very yummy).
15.55 Returned to Euralille Shopping and bought ear phones and a CD carrier. My ear phones actually stay in now!
17.15 Going to a proper restaurant tonight.
20.04 At present I am in a very posh restaurant. But unlike English restaurants the service is not stuck up and the waiters are up for a laugh.
22.23 In restaurant we met 4 very nice South African people who are staying in the same hotel as us. Food was delicious and we had chocolate mousse again.
22.30 Just about to pack up ready for tomorrow.
Sunday 27th October
07.05 Just woke up and Sam is still sleeping - I will just lay here until she wakes up.
07.34 Sam's up and we are getting ready for breakfast.
09.01 Eaten now on our way to the market.
09.56 Have brought Leonie's cheese and on our way back to the hotel.
Sam's note: It was very, very windy but we were early at the market so managed to get round it quite quickly. On the way back we stopped in a patisserie to buy chocolates.
10.54 We have walked around the old town and we are sat now drinking hot chocolate in one of the cafes in Rihour. Went past last night's restaurant and Sam took a picture of me scowling.
11.34 Now again eating cheese pizza for lunch (not the same place).
12.46 At Palais des Beaux Arts looking in the gift shop.
13.30 Back at the hotel for the last time picking up our stuff before getting the metro to Gare Lille Europe.
15.06 Train was a bit late but now on it London bound.
17.45 The train was very slow through the south of England due to the high winds but we're in the taxi headed for Sam's where I'm staying tonight. Sam's note: I very much enjoyed Emma's company - she proved to be a lively companion!
