However despite the weather we made really good time and arrived in Folkestone at about 8.15am. We'd had much colder temperatures in Kent and freezing fog, and it was quite pretty seeing the wisps of mist hanging over the trees.
The children stayed in the car while Keith and I went into the terminal and I managed to buy another present for Sophie. There were some reindeer in a pen in the middle of the shopping area and it was all feeling really festive!
It wasn't long before we were called to board the train but we had to wait for ages, with our departure time coming and going. It was very busy indeed and this accounted for the hold-ups. We eventually got going but the driver in front nearly hit me as he rolled back! When we got onto the train his right hand side wheels were up on the pedestrian walkway! I just hope he fared better driving in France!
The journey was short and efficient and very soon we were emerging into the sunshine in Calais. It was about 5c and the fields and woods looked very cold and frosty, but the sun was a definite bonus! We took the A26 towards Paris and after an hour we'd reached Arras. The motorway was almost empty and we paid just under 8 euros to use the road.
We drove towards the town centre and parked in a large area not far from the main market square. It looked very busy and people were streaming towards the town all headed for the Christmas market. Security was very tight and there was no vehicular access near the market itself. When we walked in we were frisked and our bags searched, which was very reassuring.
We had a look at all the different cabins and then spotted a Winter Bar where they were serving Gluhwein in glass mugs, very similar to the ones we use at the Berlin Christmas markets. Sophie and I had one each and we bought a beer for Mike.
We wanted to get a decoration for each of our Christmas trees today and Sophie wanted a new ring, but sadly we didn't see anything we liked. We had a good look at all the cabins but they didn't have the quality that we saw in Berlin or the choice of things to buy.
After enjoying a hot dog with rather too much vinegary choucroute added, we walked back to the car to return back to Calais. However we had a shock when my car wouldn't open! Keith tried the old trick of holding the key to his head and opening his mouth but that didn't work! Luckily, just as we were starting to panic Keith directed the key fob at the driver's door and it opened! We've never got into the car so fast!
Driving back to Calais was easy and the motorway was even emptier. We followed signs for Cite Europe but by now it had started to rain and the place was heaving. Finding a space was very difficult! After driving around and around we finally found one and walked into the shopping centre, calling into the loos before heading for Carrefour. I'd never seen the place so busy, not even on previous Christmas shopping trips but the supermarket was bearable. We bought quite a few bottles of wine, some beer and chocolates and then took everything back to the car before having a beer and some pommes frites at a bar called La Parisienne. This, for me, was the highlight of the day and the food and drink were delicious!
We still had euros left and there was no way I was taking them home with me so we had another browse around a couple of shops but decided to spend them in the Duty Free at the terminal. I bought a bottle of whisky and some wine while Sophie bought a gift for my Mum. As we were queuing up to pay they called our letter so we dashed back to the car and joined the queue to board. This time we didn't have to wait so long and we were put into a huge carriage that obviously accommodated coaches and high vehicles. I slept for about twenty minutes and all too soon we were back in the UK.
The journey home was fast and furious and all three motorways were busy. We arrived home at about 9.30am, packed everything away and collapsed on the sofa with a drink. It had been a very long, but very enjoyable day!
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