French Trip to Lille 6/7 September
2003
A group of 30 met at the Civil Service Recreation Centre in Chadwick
Street early Saturday morning, and after refreshments
took the luxury coach to Dover. A General Knowledge Quiz was held
on the
coach and following a prize giving we
quickly arrived at the Kent coast port. Onward to Calais via an
ultra smooth
crossing, our French experience was about to begin.
The journey by coach and ferry was excellent and the party arrived
in Lille around 3pm local time providing ample opportunity for
our would-be bargain hunters to begin a weekend of shopping at
the 200 kilometres (yes 200 kilometres) of street markets for which
Lille is famous. For those less interested in shopping the traditional
carnival atmosphere spilled over from the streets to the many bars
and restaurants where some of us passed away a happy hour or two,
in some cases it may have been three!
Evening arrived and it was time to move on to our next destination,
the old water mill restaurant ‘Le Moulin Snick’, some
45 minutes drive away (well it should have been) our driver had
other ideas. Despite arriving somewhat late for our reservation
we received a first class welcome and this was followed by an excellent
5 course meal, fine wine, music and dancing. A full first day came
to a close when we transferred to our hotel (Mister Bed) just 5
minutes away.
Day 2, and after a hearty breakfast, back into Lille
for more shopping, sightseeing and partying before leaving at about
5pm
for Calais, via the hypermarket where we purchased our duty free
requirements. A tired but well satisfied group arrived back at
Chadwick Street at 10.45 on the Sunday evening.
I think we were all asking the same question, how could the coach
and ferry transportation, the good standard of hotel accommodation
and a 5 course meal all be provided for just £65 per head?
Great value! Our thanks to the trip organiser, Brian Carrick:
put me down for next year, Brian!
A few photographs of the weekend can be seen at the left.
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