thorpeleigh cottage: lille, france part 1

Last weekend we left Henry with my Uncle Ashley and Aunt Denise in East Horsley, just outside London, and took a three day trip to Lille, France. The main reason for visiting was to surprise Marco's friend, Ian, who plays for Cognac in the French basketball league. This was an away game for him but it was just a short chunnel ride for us so Marco thought it would be awesome to surprise Ian and get to see him play! (Marco and Ian go way back to VA beach and JMU days).

About an hour drive from London, we took the chunnel from Dover, England to Calais, France. Then drove another hour and 15 to Lille.

News shops, duty free, and a cafes to browse while waiting for your train call

Just like the Italian Job

35 minutes wasn't even enough time to finish an article

BAM! And we were there like that! Lille is the largest city in the north of France and close to the border shared with Belgium. Upon arrival, right away we noticed Belgium's beer culture influence on the city and Marco was giddy. Cafes full of people sipping chalice's of French or Belgian beer. We spent Friday shopping, browsing cheese shops, bakeries, and the Christmas market.

Have you ever stayed at a hotel Ibis? A nice tip from Marco's well travelled parents. Usually situated in good locations, Ibis is always a clean, affordable, no frills. This was our best Ibis experience to date. Rooms are small but updated. Bring your own shampoo, etc. They don't even have a pen to spare at the front desk. But that bed was comfortable!

A day of shopping: new wool coat from ZARA for Marco. Burgundy waxed skinnies from ZARA and new brown oxfords from Clarks for me. My go to walking booties got a hole in the sole and were failing me in the rain. And these bad boys, were not made for walking miles.