Eurostar 15th Birthday weekend was absolutely brilliant

So, just got back from accompanying all 30 winners from the competition which was by all accounts absolutely brilliant. The only two downsides were that 1) it had to end and 2) we packed so much in I was totally exhausted by the end of it.

Friday night started well, spoke to various different people at the event before the draw was made, a young couple (who’s names I didn’t catch but who had number 38) seems to sum up the atmosphere quite well which was ‘nervous excitement’. Lots of butterflies in stomachs as to what was going to happen next. Another couple, Beverly and Colin were much the same. I got to learn their names as they went on to win!

As the 15 winning numbers were drawn and we had to rush to grab our bags and get whisked down to check-in we caught glimpse of what appeared to be the manager of the Champagne bar, and a couple that entered into the draw spontaneously burst into song. didn’t get to see all of it but we heard once we arrived into Paris that they finished with ‘We Are the Champions’ by Queen.

Everyone who didn’t go to Paris joined in and the crowds who were just going about their business at St. Pancras stopped and watched. Brilliant! The general party mood carried on as the guys left in the Champagne bar received goodie bags packed with offers and went on to party at St Pancras Grand. Jon was in that group and was kind enough to send us this message this morning:

“It was a great party, we had memorable overdose of fantastic champers and totally enjoyed the whole event, well done to all involved. We are looking forward to our first Eurostar trip.”

Meanwhile, back in Paris the rest of us were settling into the Pullman hotel in Rive Gauche and getting ready for the next morning. We got our breakfast in nice and early, and jumped on a bus to go Chef Martial’s cookery school where we learned how to cook four different types of desserts and cakes. Stay tuned as we hope to give you the recipes soon.

From there, back on the bus and straight to Galeries LaFayette for a champagne reception and 10% off everything in store.We were left to do our own thing for the next 5 hours and met up back in the hotel lobby at 5.15pm to go to the Eiffel tower. Due to the awful weather (which we understand was even worse back in Blighty) the lifts up to the tower were either running really slowly or not at all. We got to just outside the lift doors and they shut them down for good

Not to worry! We still had dinner on the fly boat to look forward to which was only about a 5 minute walk away. We made our way down to the pier for a drink and then went straight to the boat to get settled before taking off at 8.30. The food was incredible. The main I had was one of the best steaks I’ve ever eaten and same again with the chocolate cake (unfortunately we didn’t get any recipes this time round). We got to see the whole of Paris as we were eating and by the end of the night everyone got up to dance to the live band. Great times.

We rolled off the boat and straight back on to the coach to make our way up the Champs-Elysees to the Lido cabaret. The bus journey was hilarious as there were loads of football supporters celebrating on street. When we got off the coach we asked them why they were celebrating and they told us it was because their team – Algeria – just lost 2-0 to Egypt! Mad.

Moving straight into the Lido to get settled the night was to get even more entertaining at what was a truly fantastical show. It was like the Royal Variety re-imagined by Julian Clarey.

The best act we saw were two guys covered in gold puting  on a Cirque du Soleil type strongman show, we also witnessed dancing horses (real ones), a massive fountain/flower come out of the ground and unfold before us on stage, followed by a huge Inca pyramid, followed by a full ice rink with skaters swinging each other around at full speed by by their feet. Mental.

After all that excitement we finally got on the bus at 2am and went back to the hotel. We were so exhausted everyone just went straight to bed. Straight up again and down in the hotel lobby at 9.15 to go to Angelina’s for a delicious breakfast of patisseries and the best hot chocolate on earth (like drinking melted chocolate – amazing).

After that I had to go for a bit of a lie down back at the hotel before checking out and going Back to Gare Du Nord to come home.

That wasn’t the end of it though, we were whisked straight into the Business Premier Lounge for more drinks and nibbles before travelling back to the St Pancras for yet another Champagne reception in the Champagne bar. Before waving goodbye to everyone we got some really brilliant feedback on how much everyone enjoyed it. All the team were delighted everyone had such a great time. Here are a few words from one of the winners – the lovely Mireille (I’m the ‘guy with the video recorder’ BTW):

My friend and I made it to Paris with the rest of the 28 winners and we had the time of our life. Thank you to all of you that made this dream come true, Guy, Adrian, Suzanne, Hazel, Lydia and the guy with the video recorder, unfortunately I never got to know your name. What an amazing team you were.We had so much fun and particularly enjoyed the cooking course at Chef Martial’s kitchen and the River Boat Cruise on the seine.

The people we were with were fantastic and it is as if you hand picked them so that we would all get on. Penny and David, we enjoyed sitting with you on the boat, you were so much fun, Claire, and I think your name was Claire, the girl that got up to dance with me, thank you so much for the laughs we had on the dance floor, Alison and Bob, Oh what a lovely couple you were and what great parents you are going to make. Great culinary skills Bob! Helen and Jamie, Fantastic couple and a girl after my own heart. Enjoyed the tea we had while waiting for the rest to go up the Eiffel Tower. Colin and Beverly, what a great team.

Thank you, a million times for making our weekend a memorable one. (Am on the ibuprofen now)

Vive La Eurostar!!

Over the next few days we’ll be bringing you more feedback from the guys who went on the weekend and hopefully some from those who stayed on for the party, as well as video from the trip and photos too. Watch this space!

Photo St Pancras by Wolfiewolf