I was REALLY looking forward to yesterday. All I REALLY wanted to do in our time in Paris was walk around. I was secretly happy when our trip to Versailles was cancelled by old mate Charlie, because I could have spent more time puddling around the streets. Happily and sadly, we managed to reschedule Versailles though.

Paris is so ridiculously beautiful. Every doorway and window and street is an opportunity for a picturesque photo. The colours, the architecture, the fact that in a lot of places there is a limit to how high the buildings may be built. The people, the clothes, the food. All of it is amazing. Except some of our dinner choices from the supermarket though. Some of them aren't that great. But the wine has been pretty good so far! No surprises there!

After a very lazy morning, we started off about midday today catching the metro to Montmartre. Despite that many people say how easy the metro is, I haven't found it so. The stations are huge, and there are so many people around. Plus getting tickets for 5 people all the time is a pain in the neck. Never mind all the different train companies, selling at different machines, and that sometimes the tickets are faulty. Luckily there have been staff around when we've needed them.

The weather was perfect. Sunny, warm and a few clouds here and there.

Anyways, off to Montmartre we went. Up all the stairs to Sacre Coeur. The view from the top was excellent, but I was surprised to not be able to see the Eiffel Tower from the top. I'd heard that it was the best skyscape of Paris. It was pretty nice though. We didn't go inside the church, but maybe next time!

The boys recreated a couple of punches from John Wick 4. Funny. And not very convincing. They didn't produce any blood. Better luck next time.

On we navigated to Place du Tertre. the artist's square. It was stunning, and the paintings were beautiful. I'd intended to get one as a souvenir, but they were pretty expensive, a very small one starting at 50 Euros. Some great souvenirs at the little shops though. Syd got some sweet postcards that would make a nice feature on her bedroom wall.

On we went down the hill. The streets & houses & shops very quaint, with very few straight lines between them. We got an ice cream at the bottom of the hill. This ice cream vendor was also an old grump. Even Syd couldn't charm him!

Then round the corner to the Moulin Rouge. We'd found a prettier windmill about 20 mins earlier. So the Rouge one was a bit underwhelming.

On we forged to Galeries Lafayette, a very fancy shopping centre, of the same ilk as Harrods. The floors & domed roof are all stunning! They'd rival some of the churches we've seen. On the rooftop they have an impressive view of Paris, and they're right next to the Opera Garnier, which is also very gorgeous, with the roof a beautiful shade of turquoise.

Because the troops were getting a bit cranky by this stage, we metro'd it to the Arc de Triomphe to watch the crazy drivers zoom their way around the most intrepid roundabout I've ever seen.

Old mate Charlie had visited here earlier in the day, and they were breaking down the barriers that had been in place for his arrival. We jumped back on the metro to our hotel, where we got 'stuck' at a bar for a few beers and to watch Italy v Uruguay in the rugby. It's nice to enjoy the kid's company in a grown up environment, and talk to them like people instead of reminding them to sit and talk, and stop cartwheeling off the furniture.

Syd was subject to her first European toilet, a combined gender affair, with urinals virtually in the open, and hand basin in the centre of the room. I've never seen anyone leap backwards out of the bathroom door faster. Lol!!!

After a couple of beers, we hit the supermarket for some hot chook and salad, which we snuck back to our room to eat without dropping a crumb. Because food in our room is strictly forbidden!!!

Not too late to bed tonight.

16,000 steps.