Sunday 10th September
Our return flight was for 14.20 but I didnt want to hang around the Motel so we left at 08.30 once Crazy 1 had satisfied herself that the stray cat knew where the pile of cat biscuits had been left. I took only 20mins to get to the airport, a further 10 to drive straight out the other side and another 15 to turn around and get back. Once back on airport soil I mention if anyone had seen a sign for T1 could they please speak up. Julie mentioned she had seen several. I really need anger management I almost bit my tongue in two not using up my entire repertoire of swear words. Eventually we found our way into the car park, parked up and took the keys back to the National desk.
While I spent 30seconds giving the keys back my Mum and Julie decided they hadnt smoked since the one they had after leaving the car so went outside for another. Here they decided it would be easier and less stressful to get a taxi to T3. In theory Dominique and I agreed. The taxi driver was beyond unimpressed we only wanted to go from T1 to T3 although once I tell you the price you will wonder why, it seems very much like a good fare for him to me. Ever seen the Horlicks advert where the taxi driver takes the foreign lass on a tour of London when she needs 3 streets down? Well, we went from T1 to T3 via the Metro system . Once eventually there we could hardly believe the advertised fare of 15euros 10cents then the taxi driver got out his calculator rounded it up to 17euros 40cents! We gave him exactly that and not a cent more. Sad really as we had every intention of giving him 5euros each which would have been 20euros.
Despite the detour in the car earlier and the dodgy taxi driver we were still 3 hours early for our flight and the check in desk didnt open for another hour so we sat and people watched , drank coffee, ate crisps and Crazy 1 and Crazy 2 smoked.
Once the check in desk opened we were third in the queue and were done in a few minutes. Went straight through to departures for breakfast which was a Tuna baguette, crisps and a coke for me at 9euros 70cents. There were no vegetarian options so Dominique had a coke. Once most of us were fed we browsed duty free. I had loads of euros left and every intention of spending them so despite the perfume actually converting to been more expensive than home I bought some Jean Paul Gautier Classique and Burberry Touch for 113euros 40cents then spent the rest on chocolate for Gavin, My mum and Julie were devastated to learn that within the EU cigarettes werent actually duty free but you paid the tax for whichever country you were in. It did make them cheaper than at home but when people leaving the EU were getting them for almost half the price it right in front of their nose it hurt.
The flight gate was advertised early so after spending up me & Dominique went and waited there while my Mum and Julie debated how many non duty free cigs to buy. At 14.10 we were called to board and after passport control got on a bus to take us to the plane. We waited on this bus packing like sardines for 15mins before we went to the plane. To add insult to injury the driver moved forward a few yards to let another bus in behind but of course we all thought we were off!
The plane left 30mins behind schedule but it was just an 1hr and 6mins flying time again so we were back at the advertised time of 14.45 local time. Bags of asap again and then out to meet Gavin who was dropping everyone off again. Julie first then my Mum. After these two had gone me and Dominique proceeded to tell Gavin just how crazy my Mum is and Dominique was most kind when she said I was not anything like her.
Overall we all enjoyed ourselves, Friday was fantastic but Saturday was a nightmare from the start due to been tired and the excessive crowds. I continuously had to keep my temper in check as I cannot bear my Mum mothering me and at one point she licked her thumb to wipe a smudge from my face I thought I was going to have a melt down. Dominique and I both became very bored with waiting for them to finish smoking and couldnt believe just how many times a day they needed to do this.
Been with my Mum for any length of time is trying for me. This weekend was for the most part to prevent further ear bashing about my choice of wedding and it seems to have served its purpose. Dominique and I had a great time. Mainly bonding over the joint craziness that my Mother and Julie were presenting us with and didnt have a cross word between us although she has said she is refusing to speak to me for at least 3 weeks but I have to return her suitcase soon so she has speak to me!
When Gavin & I return to DLRP we will do it our usual way of Car & Ferry, Flying down didnt really save us much more than a couple of hours door to door and CDG airport is horrid and I would certainly never go here by choice again.
Jodie
Our return flight was for 14.20 but I didnt want to hang around the Motel so we left at 08.30 once Crazy 1 had satisfied herself that the stray cat knew where the pile of cat biscuits had been left. I took only 20mins to get to the airport, a further 10 to drive straight out the other side and another 15 to turn around and get back. Once back on airport soil I mention if anyone had seen a sign for T1 could they please speak up. Julie mentioned she had seen several. I really need anger management I almost bit my tongue in two not using up my entire repertoire of swear words. Eventually we found our way into the car park, parked up and took the keys back to the National desk.
While I spent 30seconds giving the keys back my Mum and Julie decided they hadnt smoked since the one they had after leaving the car so went outside for another. Here they decided it would be easier and less stressful to get a taxi to T3. In theory Dominique and I agreed. The taxi driver was beyond unimpressed we only wanted to go from T1 to T3 although once I tell you the price you will wonder why, it seems very much like a good fare for him to me. Ever seen the Horlicks advert where the taxi driver takes the foreign lass on a tour of London when she needs 3 streets down? Well, we went from T1 to T3 via the Metro system . Once eventually there we could hardly believe the advertised fare of 15euros 10cents then the taxi driver got out his calculator rounded it up to 17euros 40cents! We gave him exactly that and not a cent more. Sad really as we had every intention of giving him 5euros each which would have been 20euros.
Despite the detour in the car earlier and the dodgy taxi driver we were still 3 hours early for our flight and the check in desk didnt open for another hour so we sat and people watched , drank coffee, ate crisps and Crazy 1 and Crazy 2 smoked.
Once the check in desk opened we were third in the queue and were done in a few minutes. Went straight through to departures for breakfast which was a Tuna baguette, crisps and a coke for me at 9euros 70cents. There were no vegetarian options so Dominique had a coke. Once most of us were fed we browsed duty free. I had loads of euros left and every intention of spending them so despite the perfume actually converting to been more expensive than home I bought some Jean Paul Gautier Classique and Burberry Touch for 113euros 40cents then spent the rest on chocolate for Gavin, My mum and Julie were devastated to learn that within the EU cigarettes werent actually duty free but you paid the tax for whichever country you were in. It did make them cheaper than at home but when people leaving the EU were getting them for almost half the price it right in front of their nose it hurt.
The flight gate was advertised early so after spending up me & Dominique went and waited there while my Mum and Julie debated how many non duty free cigs to buy. At 14.10 we were called to board and after passport control got on a bus to take us to the plane. We waited on this bus packing like sardines for 15mins before we went to the plane. To add insult to injury the driver moved forward a few yards to let another bus in behind but of course we all thought we were off!
The plane left 30mins behind schedule but it was just an 1hr and 6mins flying time again so we were back at the advertised time of 14.45 local time. Bags of asap again and then out to meet Gavin who was dropping everyone off again. Julie first then my Mum. After these two had gone me and Dominique proceeded to tell Gavin just how crazy my Mum is and Dominique was most kind when she said I was not anything like her.
Overall we all enjoyed ourselves, Friday was fantastic but Saturday was a nightmare from the start due to been tired and the excessive crowds. I continuously had to keep my temper in check as I cannot bear my Mum mothering me and at one point she licked her thumb to wipe a smudge from my face I thought I was going to have a melt down. Dominique and I both became very bored with waiting for them to finish smoking and couldnt believe just how many times a day they needed to do this.
Been with my Mum for any length of time is trying for me. This weekend was for the most part to prevent further ear bashing about my choice of wedding and it seems to have served its purpose. Dominique and I had a great time. Mainly bonding over the joint craziness that my Mother and Julie were presenting us with and didnt have a cross word between us although she has said she is refusing to speak to me for at least 3 weeks but I have to return her suitcase soon so she has speak to me!
When Gavin & I return to DLRP we will do it our usual way of Car & Ferry, Flying down didnt really save us much more than a couple of hours door to door and CDG airport is horrid and I would certainly never go here by choice again.

Jodie