I Love Paris in the Springtime!

0630 start from Eynsham by Whitlock's Taxis, heading for Heathrow. Meet at BMI Departure desk 8.30 sharp. Mama K had given the orders, she had the e-tickets, she had to be obeyed. Fortunately, K Klan were unmissable in the Departure area with their distinctive lavender, pink and blue luggage! Forced to use hi-tech self check-in as we had booked electronically, but needed assistance from a BMI baby! Most of us planning to survive the four days on 12-14 kilos of baggage per couple, K Klan Midis (Katie, Helen and Molly) were spotted weighing in 18 kilos each. 'Still room for a few purchases in Paris' they chirruped. Then in true ERR fashion, all headed for a bar which also just happened to sell full english breakfast. Tracey & Ian thrown out of Dino's Diner for drinking Costa coffee there. Well, we didn't want to talk to them anyway.

Flight on time, smooth and swift - arrived 20 mins ahead of schedule, even with Tony and Pat at the rear of the plane ........ Meanwhile, Famille Les Blisters had travelled by car. Evidently Eurontunnel surfaced somewhere in the centre of Paris, as they got there before us.

Taken by minibus to hotel, met by extremely friendly receptionist who happened to be a former French international 800 metre champion! Hotel typically parisien - hot and cold running water, not necessarily at the same time, steep, curving stairways to test stamina of a marathon runner, noisy 4.00am rubbish collections under every window.........

Found a bar, sat stoically outside in true French style, nibbling delicious french pastries at exorbitant french prices.

Off to marathon expo for Tony, Jan, Kevin, Brigid and Jane to join hundreds of runners jostling for goody bags, free t-shirts and registering for 'the' race. Unimpressed by expo, soon made quick exit in search of nearest bar. Took two attempts before we found one selling the right stuff. Must be losing our touch.

Returned to hotel for wash and brush up, determined to reassemble at 7.30 in the bar. Problem - no bar! At this point, Tony left, apparently to throw himself off the Eiffel Tower. Fortunately, found refreshment nearby in an italian restaurant, and settled in for the evening. Good food and good wine for the 11 supporters, while marathon runners sipped water the entire evening (not)!

Chilly 7.30 start next morning for the 'Breakfast Run'. 4000 runners lined up in front of the Ecole Militaire, parading with band in front and behind, up to Eiffel Tower, across River Seine, around Trocadero, finishing 5 kilometres later in Avenue Foch where real thing was to finish next day. Best bit was the breakfast - coffee, buns, bananas, juice, etc. and lots of camararderie (Hanel Blister thinks that's a french cheese - Ben smiled, knowingly). Strolled back to hotel down the posh shopping area of Champs Elysee in smelly running kit.

Meanwhile non-runners took a little retail therapy. The K Klan Midis crept out with Big Daddy K's credit card and soon found chic Champs Elysee. About the same time, June needed a credit card to pay for a cup of tea costing £4.50 - excluding tip!

Spent very enjoyable afternoon seeing the sights by coach and boat but after all that culture, needed a drink. Yes you've got it, we headed for a bar! Suitably refreshed, set off on foot for more sightseeing and next place of interest happened to be - another bar! - rather posh bar but in true ERR fashion we rearranged all the tables to accommodate us, closely watched by a number of elderly, elegant french madames trying to enjoy afternoon tea!

Started back to our posh hotel, not passing Go for a well earned rest - bar-hopping is such hard work. Jane L Blister carefully cradled her amber nectar between stops - a dehydration precaution. Perterlee Blister becoming progressively more gushing, at one point proclaiming in thespian tones that the city looked stunning at this time of year - 'before the trees get into this dreadful leaf business...' Lesser mortals left wondering what sinister organisation might be behind this dreadful leaf business. Something to do with the Da Vinci Code - after all the Louvre was only two minutes away?

Hotel had agreed to cook a pasta supper for us that evening - even for non-runners - hows that for true support! We enjoyed a starter of lettuce leaves, a bowl of pasta with a miniscule dollop of sauce, and a solid piece of chocolate cake! Non-runners stayed silent, dreaming of coq-au-vin and chocolate mousse. An earlier visit to the supermarket had secured supplies of alcoholic beverage - it being an unlicensed hotel! (There will be an official enquiry afterwards to discover who booked the ERR into such a place.) Unfortunately, the waiter was in a hurry to get rid of us and we were turfed out immediately meal was over, clutching half-full bottles. As there wasn't a lounge, sat on the first floor landing supping our vino (photos to prove it). After Larry had knocked himself almost unconscious for the 3rd time from his position under the stairs, decided to go in search of a bar (for a change).

Nerves were beginning to show, as dry throats tested lager, Guinness, Grand Marnier, another Grand Marnier (first one knocked over by flying crisp bag - eye-wateringly expensive error), more Guinness, larger lagers, etc. Bed early, around midnight.

Paris Marathon doesn't need 5.30 start from Back Lane Car Park, but bin men ensured we had no lie-in. Contestants left around seven for an 8.45 start. Supporters forced down a croissant or two and emerged from the hotel at 8.15 ready to press through the throng to take up viewing positions. No-one about. No crowd barriers, no crowds, just occasional eccentric cyclist or roller-blader riding empty streets. We warmed up by cheering each one. Positioned strategically close to a Metro entrance, we stood poised to bore our way through the throng once our heroes had gone by. Heroes all arrived late - start was more chaotic than a Turkish bazaar. Nearly missed Tony as he ran behind us, on an empty pavement. Missed Brigid altogether. Shouted like lunatics at the rest, making ten times more noise than the other 20 people in the street. Our youngsters were particularly impressive, but still not as loud as Pat. Heroes through, dived down empty Metro station to find very full Metro trains. The crafty Parisiens had all stepped aboard nearer the start. Rotten trick.

Found our way to the halfway mark. Crowds were a little thicker here occasionally 2 deep, but without barriers, the ill-disciplined frenchies had shut down the runners' space to no more that five feet wide. Unnerving. Made lots of noise again - cheering up a few surprised Brits, and embarrasing the locals. Spotted four of the Eynsham five - missing Jane this time.

On moving on, Metro now seriously busy (though we felt more were going shopping than following the 30th Anniversary Marathon), so walked about a kilometer or two to an alternative route, taking us straight to the finish. Missed Tony by a few minutes, but saw everyone else. Still managed to make more noise than the locals. Abandoned the course and competitors as thirst took over, and met just a short three-mile walk away in an Irish Pub, chosen because this was where Big Daddy K had apparently done his PhD dissertation. (may have got some finer detail wrong - things were getting rather blurred...).

Left Paris next day, got lost in Charles de Gaulle Airport (looking for a bar), arrived home, etc, etc......

Memories? Great runs by our five heroes, gave us an excuse to sample a beautiful city, good food (albeit italian and chinese) and lager at £8 a pint. A great trip!