Hey Everyone,

Well my (sarah) Parents are over visiting us in London and we took the last week of August off for a trip to France. Taking the Eurostar on the Saturday afternoon we headed towards the capital, Paris. We stayed there for 3 nights and during the day took in all the major sites and stopping along the way for coffees and snacks.

On the Tuesday morning we departed from the crazy city and jumped on a train to Reims which is the heart of the Champagne region. Staying there for 3 more nights we picked up a car and made our way around various routes through small villages and vines of grapes that graced the landscape. We visited the Moet Chandon cellars and learnt a thing or two about brut, vintage and Dom P! All very interesting the the best part was tasting a glass at the end! On the Tuesday night it was Mum and Dad's 41st wedding anniversary so we dined on scrumptions french cuisine and a bottle of bubbles (or course) to celebrate.

After feasting our eyes on the lovely champagne region and taking in the beautiful scenery it was a drive up to Arras so we could visit the Somme where the battle of the Somme took place in WW1. On the morning of the tour we drove by one of the graves where Dad's uncle is buried (HJ Tallett) who died when he was only 19 years old! We then met up with the tour who took us to the NZ Memorial where Mum's uncle (OA Kay) is buried and also died at the young age of 23!. Getting a full run down and seeing the trenches and forests where so many men died it was quite moving and very very sad!

We then drove the last leg of our journey to Lille which was much more beautiful then we expected. A lively town with gorgeous flemish style architecture, lots of sunshine, cafes in the plazas and lots of people milling around giving the place a wonderful atmosphere! Went out for our last meal at a lovely quaint little place on a cobbled road that took ages to serve us but the food was fab and it was a lovely night to sit outside and chill out!

Sunday morning we left sunny Lille for grey and drab old London!

Lovely holiday with the whanau!

Sarah and Shane xx