Springtime in Paris

Early Saturday morning we're headed to Paris for a wedding. It's 5.30 am and we forget to scan our oyster cards in. The woman at King's Cross tells us not to worry about it. I like that attitude, but it's rare in England. In Paris we get the same treatment. We arrive in Cergy after getting lost on the Metro, and we don't have the right tickets. The guy tells us to queue then changes his mind and tells us to go. Cergy is empty. The whole town centre is shut and there's virtually nobody around. It's like day of the Triffids. Later we find out it's the French Bank Holiday. The hotel rooms have names as diverse as 'Big Ben' to 'Yankees' and 'Dallas'. Our room doesn't have a name.

The wedding is held in a beautiful chateau on a hillside with a view of the river and lush green trees and fields. The wedding service is outside. I keep looking over to the trees because they don't quite look real. They look kind of smudged, a bit like they've gone through the blur effect on Photoshop. I have to forget the smudged trees because the wedding is starting. I like the way the groom is smiling, his head turned expectantly as he waits for his bride to walk up the aisle. As soon as the service is over we are served food and drink and the serving of food and drink lasts for the rest of the wedding. Spicy fish cakes on sticks are delicious and the starter is a winner as it's five different starters on one plate. There are lots of speeches in both English and French, and lots of applause for different people who've helped out. Everything is well organised with the groom running around sorting us out a lift back to our hotel around 1am.

The next morning we find the road running next to our hotel window has been changed into a bustling Sunday market. Despite our terrible grasp of the french language we manage to direct a frenchman to the station. We arrive in Paris late and have more problems getting round the Metro. This time we have the right tickets but they're determined not to work for us. We head for a cafe just over the road from Notre Dame. I can never find my way around Paris, have no idea how it connects up. The trouble is when I come here I'm always pushed for time, always meeting someone, or having to get a train straight out again. Today is no exception. We're meeting Richard and Jo at Montparnasse in an hour and want to get to the Eiffel tower beforehand via a walk along the Seine.

We just about make it for a few snaps before heading off to meet our friends and go for food and cider in a restaurant near Montparnasse. On the way home the train passes right by the Eiffel tower, all beautifully lit up. I try taking a picture through the train window but instead get a picture of the window reflection - of the people on the train.

Next time we come to Paris we vow to stay for longer.