Paris

In the morning we are in Paris. Hotel booked (Thanks Jo) only around the corner from the Gare Du Nord.

Book in, lock up our packs, set off determined to savour every moment in this fabulous city of culture, food, and fine buildings.

The croissants for breakfast are fresh and hot. The coffee is to die for. We take a pastry to munch as we travel on the Metro. Local boulangeries and bistros, never disappoint.
We walk for kilometres marvelling at the fabulous architecture (real estate).
We visit the Eiffel Tower. It is blowing so hard it would "blow a cattle dog off its chain".
The Louvre, to say hello to Mona Lisa.
Notre Dame, Musee D'Orsay (moden art)
cruise the Seine,
marvel at the christmas lights on the Champs Elysee and the Arc de Triumphe and take videos of the childrens windows in the Gallerie Lafayette.
Have lunch at Montmatre in the Salvatore Dali square watching the sketch artists at work, me getting a free lesson.
Visit the Sacre Coeur with its fantastic views.
The scenes are frantic in the retail areas as it is near Christmas. The touts are out with lots of junk and the Gendarmes play the game.
The flower market is full of potted shrubs, orchids, carnations, roses, chrysanthemums, decorations for the Christmas season. I reminisce about my family and our flower farm in Melbourne where we grew chrysanthemums. This market is so wonderful but I am told "no photos!" I sneak a photo for you to share.

The saying is see Paris in the spring. I reckon you can see it any time and it is wonderful.

We board 15.13 Eurostar to take us on the 1 hour 50 minute journey across the channel.
Our heart is heavy leaving Paris so much more to see but we look forward to seeing our dear friends in our old haunt and home for a time Citts birthplace Ashford Kent UK.
It is so good to see Tonys smile. He is waiting for us at Ashford international. So many stories from his family we talk long into the night
Then time to catch up with all our dear long time friends and enjoy a drink.
This is not the end of the great train journey as we will not declare it finished till we hear the sound of Big Ben striking the hour at Westminster.



Image 1 Silly at the Eiffel Tower
Image 2 Notre Dame
Image 3 Notre Dame chapel
Image 4 Notre Dame alter
Image 5 Flower market
Image 6 Gallerie Lafayette
Image 7 Salvadore Dali Square Montmartre
Image 8 Street lady with her dogs