PARIS

Newly Engaged

04 September 2009

Hev first this time...

What a day. We negotiated three locks, arrived in Paris by boat and um got engaged.

I'll start with the locks. The first one was horrid, with the heavens opening just as we got in and the rope slipped off and I couldn't find the line...etc etc. The second was the best one yet: we sent the ladder monkey (aka Mattie) up the slippery steps and all was well. I managed to hold the rope ok for the first time and I felt like Queen of the Locks. The third one passed by in a bit of a haze as something a bit special had happened just before! Mattie did himself proud and Frannie explains the moment very well below. It made the approach into Paris even more special and very exciting as amongst our hugs and congratulations there were cries of "hold on, hold on, do you think we're going to make it under that bridge?!" In a "narrow dog" style I think all the people on the bridges were waving and cheering for us!! We're moored up in Paris and made all the excited phonecalls to my family. My favourite one was from Fran to sister Sue. Fran said: "Matthew has proposed!" then heard Mike say in the background: "To who?" It's only been nine years Mike!

The last couple of days have been brilliant, the bike tour was great, although I'm not sure how many sights I'll remember as I seemed to spend most of the time cycling up to Fran asking "So what do you think about this for a theme?" "What about this for the colour?" I think we're driving the boys mad already. :) We have been to a couple of museums, climbed Notre Dame and L'Arc Triomphe and been right to the top of the Eiffel Tower. It's been a fabulous few days that I will never forget!

Now Fran's turn...have spent the last three days in Paris and it will be four nights by the time we leave tomorrow for Meaux, famous for Brie, and Epernay hopefully by Wednesday evening. It has been a very exciting time especially our arrival into Paris which apart from being spectacular became very emotional as Matt propsed to Heather - at long last - on bended knee on the front of Sequel as we passed the Tour Eiffel. We have celebrated once or twice since but also been on a bike tour which took us round most of the sights, we took the metro to the l' Arc de Triomphe and walked back down the Champs Elysee and across both the islands and back to the Paris Arsenal Marine where Sequel has been taking a breather, and today we have been to Notre Dame and found the most amazing store for Bruce to stock up on vital nuts and bolts - the basement of a department store - a bit like B&Q in Debenhams but much better. We also shopped in the market on Sunday morning in the Place de Bastille. We are trying hard with our French but then they answer in English which is a bit embarrassing - is it that obvious? My apologies to Michelle for lack of accents on the French names etc cant figure them out on this keyboard - a bientot - bisous.