France

We had quite an unsettling arrival in Paris. Just as we stepped off the TGV and walked down to the concourse, we heard someone running behind us shouting. Something was obviously kicking off.

"My sac... my bag. Someone has stolen my bag!" A woman cried with utter desperation.

We all glanced round. Offering sympathetic smiles. Nothing we could do about it but didn't want to look ignorant or be accused of being the bag thief ourself. I felt dreadful for her. God knows what was in her sac but no one wants anything to be stolen. One thing you know everyone was thinking as they walked on by.

Thank fuck it wasn't mine.

I did have bag locks with me but we haven't used them. Apart from the Eurostar we've been able to keep our bags right by us. Either above our heads or an Eagle eyed view away. You read about interrailing bag theft, you have to have your wits about you.

As we approached the metro station we said our goodbyes to Emma who flew back to Leeds from CDG airport. Disneyland Paris was a Bennetts on tour adventure.

Luckily the train to Torcy was direct from Gare Du Lyon so an easy transfer. We decided not to hang around in the capital. We've seen the sights enough and looked forward to an afternoon resting in the suburbs. I was annoyed at myself for not bringing my Paris metro card with me, so I had to purchase a new one at a staggering €2! You just top it up as you go - a bit like an oyster! 

The train was busy but we got seats and the journey up to Torcy is only 20 mins or so. We've done this journey before. Laurie and I stayed in Torcy when we went to Disney in 2018. It's a couple of stops from the park and about a zillion times cheaper than staying on site! I thought I might remember how to get to the hotel from the station - because guess what, we'd stayed there once before too! It's changed a lot in 7 years so I was a bit disorientated. We put the hotel into google maps and I did wonder if I had booked the same hotel as we went a totally different direction to before.

Eventually we spotted it across the road, and just as we were about to cross, a French couple stopped me and asked, "Pour allez a la gare SVP?"

OMG I've been waiting my whole life for this moment. Directions to either the bank, swimming pool or station are a key part of the Tricolore curriculum. I asked if they meant Torcy Gare and used a mixture of broken French and gestures to point them on their way! What a result! Mrs Lovell would have been proud of me. Laurie certainly was.

"Wow look at you speaking French, you'll be eating Frogs Legs next!"

I worked out I've spoken French, Italian, German, Spanish, Polish and Slovenian this trip! Ok some of it was basic hi, bye, thanks and excuse me but I did ask a man if he'd lost his dog in French, conversed with the women at breakfast in French and asked a woman at the French hypermarket where something was! 

I love that for these trips. You travel around to so many different places and spend different currency, speak different languages and navigate different transport networks. You get to eat different types of foods and work out different types of customs. You really feel how different the world is in one go.

Of course you've actually also just done 8 mini breaks in one so you're also absolutely knackered too.

When we went to check in I had a nice chat with the lady about visiting the hotel before, where we'd been on our recent trip etc. She asked information about our Venice accom and so I updated her with that. I also explained we were off to Disney the next day and that it was my birthday. As we got our key card she put a sticker on the folder saying she'd given us a free breakfast upgrade for both days! What an absolute result! Bonne anniversaire to me indeed!

I was so glad we could check in early and dump the bags. This room had air con which was greatly needed after a warm couple of nights in Italy and Switzerland. 

Laurie and I thought we'd go pick up some food at the local carrefour hypermarket like we'd done in 2018. Unfortunately when we go there everything was closed up. As it was Sunday, the shops shut at 13:00. We managed to find a KFC for some grub and then a spar for snacks.

Back at the hotel we chilled in the lounge area and watched some football! A coach load of Spanish families turned up so we thought we'd head back to our room for quiet. We had to manoeuvre round some of them and so that's when I spoke my only Spanish for the week!

We had a pretty well deserved chilled evening and I had a shower and washed my hair properly -  not like the quick dash in and out I had been doing.

Waking up on 18th August to no cards and presents is a weird vibe. I hadn't really slept the night before with stuff on my mind and so I had a bit of a shit start to my birthday. I cuddled Laurie in our bed who always manages to make me feel better! Welcome to being 42!

I pulled myself together and got ready for my day in Disney. We went over for breakfast which was amazing! Can't believe we got it for free! (Usually €15 euros each)

The walk to the station and the train went smoothly and we were soon queuing up outside the pink gates! I went straight to city hall to collect my only present of the day and something I will hold dear forever - a birthday badge! I'd read if you wear a badge around the park, you sometimes get some little perks.

The day in Disney was fab! We went on rides, we watched the parade (from the front row!), we went to shows, we ate ice cream, had cookies and enjoyed tea in plaza gardens with Pinocchio, Tigger, Ee-yore and Captain Hook!!

Every now and again cast members would wish me happy birthday and the characters would point to my badge and give me a hug! 

Laurie and I loved the Thunder Mountain Ride - a proper white knuckle. We went on twice. He was horrified that they told me to keep our bag on the floor by my feet - as it went upside down!!! But we were fine - nothing lost!

One of the highlights of my day was bumping into a fellow BOTO (Bantam of the Opera) member James! We'd sat next to each other on the train en route back from Kings Cross and worked out we'd be in Disney on the same day!! Obviously when you're at a theme park it's hard to meet up with people you know. "Where are you?" "We're here... we'll come find you there" and it never works!

He told me him and his fam were down on Main Street for a bit and that's where we headed for some lunch so I thought this might be our chance. He showed us a pic where they were and Laurie and I dashed over to find them! Both of us in matching pink city shirts it wasn't long before I picked him out!  We had a couple of photos to send to the group chat but then recorded a video of me singing one of our warm up numbers with the pink castle in the background and then him joining in a little way through. We hatched a plan before we wouldn't tell the choir we were both there at the same time so it would be a little surprise!

Tired from my lack of sleep I struggled to really enjoy my day but it was a very special place to turn 42 and I felt like a kid again! Of course we had to stay for the light show and fireworks - always one of my favourite parts! Laurie and I hugged tightly and I was just so emotional watching it all unfold - the best birthday party I've ever had!!! 

It took a long time to get back to the hotel. All the crowds getting through bottlenecks out of the park, then the train, and the walk back to the hotel! We were sparko as soon as our heads hit the pillow! And thankfully I had a better night's sleep!

Today has been a smooth ride too! A nice lie in to start the day, breakfast at 9:30 and then a slow get ready and pack up! We dropped into Carrefour before catching

the train back into Paris. The Eurostar is on time and we'll be in London in around an hour!! Mums en route with the dogs and then it's once last push to get back to Yorkshire!

I can't believe we've been to 8 countries in 14 days. Well 9 if you count the fact we had to go to Amsterdam to board the night train - which of course also passed through Germany. Laurie has ticked a whole new load of countries off his list! I've done a few bucket listers too including Auschwitz! 

The hotels have been mainly great - Venice was basic and Zurich was awful! But the transport has all gone to plan!! It really isn't the easiest working out an itinerary and sorting out the passes and tickets you need - but we did it! 

A few lessons learned for sure!

• one night in a location isn't enough
• Less locations more time in each is better
• Book rooms with air con
• Check your hotel isn't in a red light District 
• Take less things!!!! Clothes can be washed and your back will thank you

I am not sure when I ll get my old travel blog back out! Maybe Scotland in Oct, maybe Morocco at Easter 2026 or maybe another interrail adventure!! Thanks for joining us on our journey! See you next time.