Baby Genie

Tales of a snow fish: our family holiday to Lille

Last week we ventured through the tunnel to snowy Lille for a little festive family break, and to take bear to the Christmas markets.

We had originally planned on Cologne but left it too late and the flight prices doubled.  For next time, we know that the cheapest time to book flights is 8 weeks in advance!

Moments after stepping foot on fresh French snow, I gained my new nickname for the holiday.  Snow fish.

Taking the escalator rather than the stairs with the buggy to avoid the icy steps, I got a little entangled, trapped my foot and somehow got stuck.  The escalator mangled the wheel, chewing it up noisily – a sound which at the time I believed to be the bones in my foot being crunched up.

So I gained the name snow fish for being a liability and quite unstable in the wintery conditions.  Luckily husband fixed the buggy and my snow boots saved my foot.  No lasting damage just an escalator ridged bruise on my bottom.

Aside from that we had an amazing time.  The Christmas market in Place de Rihour is gorgeous – we bought lovely gifts, drank vin chaud and ate waffles and crepes.

We stayed atHotel Formule 1, as recommended by@littleacceb – budget it was as she kindly warned me, but at 35 Euros per night all you expect is warm and clean and that’s what it was.

We travelled with Eurostar from St Pancras and despite the bad weather got there and back safe and sound.  The outward journey was slightly stressful, no two staff members seemed to be on the same page, we were shoved from pillar to post while staffed argued as to whether the train had gone, there were any seats left, or if the world was about to come to an end.  Coming home we queued in the wrong queue and almost missed out on seats on one of the only trains running.  Bear loved the train and I thought the food was delicious!  Then again I love aeroplane food.

I would highly recommend a quick hop over to France or Germany, we had a great time and came home with batteries fully recharged.  After making some zzzz’s.

Eurostar kindly paid for our return tickets to Lille.  Eurostar operates up to 10 daily services from London St Pancras International to Lille with return fares from £65.00. Tickets are available from www.eurostar.com or 08432 186 186. Fastest London-Lille journey time is 1hr 20 minutes.