So May bank holiday weekend plans were made with our Non camping friends Trevor and Jeanette, yes they are a bit strange but our friends never the less.

We have done a couple of these trips in the past, the usual itinerary is similar to

• Drive to Dover overnight
• Early morning ferry
• Drive to destination
• Fill boot with booze
• Eat Drink & Be Merry
• Home on Bank Holiday

This trip was no different. I did my travel agent bit, found a well situated hotel, a cheap ferry crossing Booked and split the cost. So for £200 plus fuel we got a 3* hotel 50m from the town square including breakfast and return ferry….. Not bad!

We have never been to Lille before and didn’t really have any preconceived notion of what to expect, however Lille is Not what I expected at all!

We chose it because is not far from Dunkirk in fact an easy hours drive.

I did buy a guide book but didn’t really get the chance to read it. I just noted that there was a town square a Museum and an Opera Theatre.

Lille is WAY Bigger that I had anticipated and to be honest way more beautiful than I had anticipated too.

The old town centre has some beautiful buildings and lots of cobbled streets.

The pic above was taken in the early-ish morning and by midday the square was bathed in sunshine.

The architecture has a Flemish feel which is expected so close to Belgium I suppose.

After the trip a French friend commented “it’s all beer and chips in that area” well she was not wrong but there was more, much more!

This is a version of Welsh Rarebit. It was delicious! It seems the locals have taken this delecasy under their wing and I must say, they have done a wonderful job!

During a walk around the town centre Trevor was herding us in the direction of the Citadel. An ancient Roman site. However as we got closer we came across Lille Zoo and at only €4 entry fee for an Adult we couldn’t resist!