BlobbyJogger

March started with a song.  Unfortunately that also involved me singing, as it was the birthday of my youngest niece Charley on the 1st of the month.  I feel it’s my duty as Aunt, to phone and sing to her on her birthday.  I’m not sure she appreciated it, but as she is now 5, hopefully it will be forgotten as quickly as the wrapping paper that her gifts came in, and I haven’t scarred her for life!

Headed out for a Chinese with Lovely Liz on the 3rd for some serious Milan planning.  We’ve picked a date in May that coincides with her birthday, booked the flights and tickets for a major attraction (more about that in May) and we’re so excited.

Then came the next ‘monthly treat’ this time with a visit to Bannatynes in Russell Square for a delicious Chocolate Body Wrap.  After changing in to the fluffy bathrobe and slippers that were supplied as part of the treatment, I slipped into the treatment room to be pampered.  Starting with a full body scrub, I was then coated with a sweet-smelling concoction of chocolate and minerals, before being wrapped in plastic sheet and a thick downy duvet, whist I was then given a lovely facial while I ‘cooked’.   After 30 mins I was released from my plastic cocoon, and waddled off to the showers to rinse the chocolate off…  My skin felt so soft and smelt amazing, so much so that as soon as I’d left the Spa I headed straight to Starbucks to get a hot chocolate.  Sadly I wasn’t told that as part of the package I could have used the Spa, Sauna and Swimming Pool for the rest of the day. If I had known I would have packed my costume and hung about for a bit, sadly the paper pants provided for the treatment really wouldn’t have been suitable.  Never mind, next time…

This treat was the start of a week off work, with another yummy Chinese with Shaheen, a shopping trip in Selfridges (oops!) and a couple of days of just generally taking it easy before jumping on the Eurostar on Thursday for a long weekend in Paris so that I could fulfil Item 14 of the 40 for 40 list: Visit The Louvre.

Wow, what an amazing place!  I decided to get the headset guide and follow the well-worn path to see the main Masterpieces including the Venus de Milo, the Mona Lisa, the Galerie d’Apollon and The Winged Victory of Samothrace.   Now I’m not usually a huge museum fan, but this place is truly awesome.  After spending four hours within its walls I hardly scratched the surface of the over thirty-five thousand pieces of artwork on display.  I shall certainly be going back there one day.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

View a few more of my photos here.

Now of course you can’t visit Paris without doing some other touristy bits, so I made the pilgrimage to the top of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, walked around the Latin Quarter and Le Marais, frowned at the modern art in The Pompidou, travelled on the Bateaux Mouche, inspected the Locks of Love on the Pont Des Arts, ate crepes and croissants, and drank Champagne (bien sûr!)  and I had a brilliant few days just seeing where Paris took me, and shall certainly return.  Paris, j’adore!

Now back to reality and back to work, but with more planning and plotting for other adventures still to come.  And it’s not even the end of March!

‘Till the next time

xoxo

~ by BlobbyJogger on 19 March, 2011.

Posted in 40 for 40, Just stuff...